Method and a device for monitoring the performance of test apparatus for testing components

A device for monitoring the performance of test apparatus in testing components, the device comprising

• a reading means for reading the time at commencement of testing of each component by the test apparatus, and for reading the time at completion of testing of each component,
• a computing means for computing the duration of intervening time periods between the time at completion of testing of each component and the time at commencement of testing of the next component,
• a first comparing means for comparing the duration of each computed intervening time period with a first reference delay period,
• a first means for classifying each computed intervening time period as a first category delay in response to the first comparing means determining that the duration of the intervening time period exceeds the first reference delay period,
• a second comparing means for comparing the duration of each computed intervening time period which does not exceed the first reference delay period with a second reference delay period, the second reference delay period being less than the first reference delay period,
• a second means for classifying each computed intervening time period as a second category delay in response to the second comparing means determining that the duration of the intervening time period is not less than the second reference delay period, and
• a storing means for storing the duration of each first and second category delay and the time at termination of each first and second category delay as being the time at commencement of testing of the next component to be tested after termination of the respective first and second category delays, the duration, termination time and category of each first and second category delay stored in the storing means being cross-referenced.