Loading firmware professionally

[stern0m1]

How do manufacturers load firmware on microcontrollers?

I mean physically, is there some jig that can connect easily to rx tx pins on a micocontroller without a full breakout and headers?

I hope my question is clear.

Thanks.

[perky]

Various options are used.

They can have the processors themselves pre-programmed by a programming house before assembly, often with a bootloader and the latest version of the application code. The programming houses do that in volume using an ATE type jig (ZIF socket/pogo pins) and an automated 'pick and place' type machine, and re-reel and re-package the processors for the assembly house. This is relatively cheap in volume to do.

In manufacture the programming pins of a blank processor are often exposed either as pads on the PCB itself or on a header so a header or pogo pins can connect to them. In which case the code is loaded onto the board as part of the commisioning process.

Mark.

[WhiteHare]

I mean physically, is there some jig that can connect easily to rx tx pins on a micocontroller without a full breakout and headers?

For prototyping, here's what I use:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Universal-programmer-TQFP32-QFP32-LQFP32-TO-DIP32-adapter-socket-support-ATMEGA8-AVR-STM32-STC/1969748953.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.p44stl
It gives easy access to every pin.  Then, you just wire it  to your programmer.  Works like a charm.

I wish there were something similar for ESP-12F modules!   

[stern0m1]

I wish there were something similar for ESP-12F modules!   

Esp 12f is exactly what I'm looking for!

[WhiteHare]

Well, if it's just for fooling around with, you could make one for almost nothing using a couple clothes pins, some 2.0mm perf board, and some pogo-pins:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pogo-Pin-Programming-Connector/

If you want something more formal, there's this:
http://lasergoods.co/goods/esp8266-programmer-jig/
that somebody is selling.  I've seen better designs on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_L2iPf9HWE)
from DIY enthusiasts, but then you're back to DIY. 


Then again, I haven't looked very hard.  If you find one you like, please let me know!

[Edit: It looks like it would be very easy to make a PCB to do this.  In fact, if someone can point me to the right pogopins on aliexpress, I could probably do that and post the gerber files.]