ATE = Automated test equipment. Keep on the lookout for any surplus test fixtures used in ATE bed-of-nails type of testing. It's been about 10 years since I retired, but I used to work in test engineering department where we used Hewlett Packard equipment. This was of a type where one made up a specialized fixture for each type of board. Vacuum was used to pull the pins into place on the PWB assembly to be tested. I'm sure the pins must be pretty high in gold content. I may have a sample or two in my junk collection. These fixtures were pretty large maybe something like 18 inches square. Sorry I can't supply any photos.
By the way before I posted this I did a search on the forum and got nothing on either ATE or bed-of-nails.
FrugalEE
By the way before I posted this I did a search on the forum and got nothing on either ATE or bed-of-nails.
FrugalEE
