FIELD NOTES
Get better at hardware test.
Guides, tutorials, and best practices to help you build better hardware tests.
- Test Data & Analytics
How to Reduce Retesting Costs
Learn why retesting wastes 10-30% of test capacity, how to fix root causes with better OpenHTF patterns, and how TofuPilot tracks retest rates.
- Test Data & Analytics
What Is Process Capability (Cp and Cpk)
Understand Cp and Cpk formulas, what different Cpk values mean for your process, and how TofuPilot calculates them from your test data.
- Migrating from Legacy Systems
Migrate from LabVIEW to Python
A practical guide to replacing LabVIEW with Python for manufacturing test automation, with concept mappings, code examples, and TofuPilot integration.
- Instrument Control
Getting Started with PyVISA
Learn how to connect to and control test instruments (DMMs, oscilloscopes, power supplies) from Python using PyVISA, with TofuPilot measurement logging.
- Scaling & Monitoring
Monitor Test Stations Across Factories
Track test station performance across multiple factories from a single dashboard. Compare yield, throughput, and measurement drift by site and station.
- Getting Started
How to Add Operator Prompts to Hardware Tests
Operator prompts pause automated tests for manual steps. Learn how to add prompts with text input, choices, and timeouts to OpenHTF tests.
- Compliance & Traceability
Generate Test Reports for Auditors
Structure your OpenHTF tests so TofuPilot captures audit-ready records with serial numbers, measurements, limits, and metadata.
- Scaling & Monitoring
How to Compare Yield Between Lines
Compare first-pass yield across production lines to identify underperforming equipment, operator training gaps, and process variation.
- Concepts & Methodology
What Is Shift-Left Quality in Manufacturing
Shift-left quality moves defect detection earlier in the manufacturing process. Learn how it reduces cost and how test data enables it.
- Compliance & Traceability
Track Serial Numbers and Sub-Assemblies
Record parent/child serial number relationships in your test data to trace sub-assemblies across boards, modules, and final products.
- Test Station Setup
Manage Operator Certification
Track operator training, certification status and test authorization by recording who ran each test and gating on certification.
- Test Data & Analytics
Track Rolled Throughput Yield
Learn how to measure Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY) across multi-step manufacturing processes and track it in TofuPilot's dashboard.
