Now you can build your own Raspberry Pi factory

Product Reviewed: Raspberry Pi CM5 Programming Jig (production-scale flash fixture)

A first-party Raspberry Pi fixture designed to program Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) devices at factory scale, using a bed-of-nails (pogo pin) approach to contact the test points on the CM5’s bottom. It automates flashing and provisioning over the network and can also log device identity information (e.g., serial/MAC) into a manufacturing database.

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Key Features

• Bed-of-nails / pogo pin contact to the CM5 test points (no manual jumper/button-style flashing).
• Automated programming/provisioning workflow:
  • Program/flash OS image to the CM5.
  • Provision it in stages (bootstrap, stage two).
  • Option to include secure boot / signed keys (via provided tools and “secure boot provisioner” references).
• Network-based flashing (uses Ethernet; intended for high throughput):
  • The user notes Ethernet was used because they can hit about ~110 MB/s, described as “line speed,” and it discourages USB 2.0 for copying to eMMC.
• Device indexing + capture of identity data:
  • Reads serial number, MAC address, hardware details, etc., and stores results in a database for tracking production units.
• Runs a “Jig OS”:
  • Comes with enough storage for the jig and requires flashing/setting up a custom OS image onto the jig first (user followed a Raspberry Pi Imager / Jig OS procedure).
• Includes accessories (mentioned):
  • Power-related components (described as 12V, ~2A / ~24W output)
  • Ethernet cable
  • Wi‑Fi antenna
  • spare pogo pins
  • Likely other power adapters/cables to support the fixture

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Pros (As Described)

• Much more production-appropriate than manual flashing:
  • No “someone clicking buttons” for hundreds/thousands of units.
  • Designed for repeatable, automation-line workflows.
• Faster / better throughput via Ethernet than USB 2.0 eMMC transfers.
• Better device tracking:
  • Automates database logging of MAC/serial and provisioning metadata.
• Secure boot provisioning support:
  • Secure boot chain/key provisioning mechanisms referenced (e.g., “RPI SB provisioner”).
• Designed for CM5 manufacturing:
  • A first-party solution aimed at companies building CM5-based products.

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Cons / Limitations (Explicitly Mentioned)

• Not ideal for casual users:
  • The author notes most viewers won’t buy it; it’s intended for manufacturing/companies.
• Setup complexity:
  • Requires flashing the jig itself with Jig OS, plus preparing images (and more steps for secure boot scenarios).
• Manual test showed a failure:
  • During the author’s attempt, flashing/provisioning failed.
  • The log shows: “Customization script … provision failed”, and provisioning did not complete.
  • The author suspects the issue was with their OS/image preparation process (likely Pi-gen workflow) rather than the jig.
• Depends on correct image/workflow tooling:
  • The user indicates they didn’t follow the documentation perfectly and likely caused the provisioning failure.

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Comparisons Made

Against Manual/Prototype Flash Approaches (Before Jig)

The video presents other approaches as incomplete for high-volume production:

• Simple boot flasher systems:
  • Used to flash ~100 OS images quickly for a project.
• USB-based CM4/CM5 IO board flashing:
  • Requires jumpers, described as annoying and desk-space heavy.
• Nebra flash stick:
  • Works with Compute Module 4, but only “barely works” with **Compute Module 5.”
  • Power input sometimes insufficient → it can drop off during flashing.

Against High-Repetition Connector Methods

• Board-to-board connectors used in some automation concepts are rated only for ~20–40 insertions before specs degrade (insertion loss / signal quality).
• The author references seeing a CM4 automation prototype where CM4s are repeatedly smashed into connectors, implying reliability concerns for large production volumes.

Against Another Jig Concept (EveryPIN)

• Mentions EveryPIN CM5 flash jig:
  • Costs around €2,500 (~€2,000).
  • Similar concept, uses EveryPIN open-source software and integrates into their electronics testing ecosystem.
• The Raspberry Pi fixture is positioned as a first-party collaboration-style solution.

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User Experience (From the Author’s Hands-On Test)

• The jig is powered via a provided 12V supply; a red light indicates booting.
• The jig does not include a USB cable—Ethernet is central.
• The user obtained the latest Raspberry Pi Imager (2.0.11+) and followed/adjusted documentation steps to flash Jig OS onto the fixture.
• File transfer to the jig used Magic Wormhole, achieving high transfer speed over Ethernet.
• During flashing:
  • Status moved through green/connected/configured, then the CM5 was inserted and pushed down.
  • The interface showed staged progress (bootstrap started, then stage two/provisioning).
  • Provisioning failed in the log during “Customizaton script naked provisioner … provision failed.”
• The author did not debug further due to travel/time constraints.

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Overall Verdict / Recommendation

This is a production-focused, automation-ready CM5 programming fixture designed to flash and provision CM5 units quickly and track them in a database—particularly suitable for companies making CM5-based products at scale. While the author observed provisioning failure in their test (likely due to image/workflow setup), the concept and feature set strongly target manufacturing needs.

Not recommended for typical hobbyist use due to setup complexity and intended audience/cost.

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Unique Points Mentioned (All)

• Name/description: “CM5 programming jig” for production-scale flashing of Compute Module 5.
• Bed-of-nails/pogo pins contact CM5 bottom test points.
• Indexing by screw holes; presses down to secure contact.
• Push action triggers a button/notification to start programming.
• Supports programming multiple units via networked automation; can scale with multiple fixtures.
• Reads serial number, MAC address, and hardware details.
• Stores data in a manufacturing database; can integrate MAC info onto production stickers.
• Secure boot provisioning supported via related tools (RPI SB provisioner mentioned).
• Ethernet emphasized for speed vs USB 2.0 (USB 2.0 eMMC writes considered slow).
• Includes accessories: 12V power (12V/2A), Ethernet cable, Wi‑Fi antenna, spare pins, power adapters.
• Initial jig OS must be flashed onto the jig; requires downloading Pi Imager and selecting Jig OS.
• Jig OS transfer/imaging done via Magic Wormhole over the network.
• Provisioning failed during the author’s test; log shows customization script/paked provisioner failure.
• Previous alternative: author used a flasher to program ~100 OS images quickly for a project.
• USB jumper-based approach works but is annoying and space-heavy.
• Nebra flash stick: barely works with CM5; power insufficient → drops off.
• Board-to-board connectors rated only ~20–40 insertions; signal quality degrades with repeated use.
• Reference to Pi factory prototype CM4 automation line suggests reliability issues with connectors.
• EveryPIN comparison: costs around €2,000–€2,500, uses EveryPIN ecosystem/software; Raspberry Pi fixture is first-party.
• Price note: described as $600, still expensive for most individuals.
• Suggestion/hope: an open cheaper bed-of-nails alternative could be built.

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Speakers / Views

• Single main speaker (the video author): described the jig’s purpose, compared alternatives, and performed a test with observed provisioning failure, suspected to be due to image-workflow issues.

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