IPC: it’s more than one book of standards!

Over the years there have been many standards for electronic hardware production introduced on a nation-by-nation basis but with increased outsourcing, expanding international trade and environmental directives like RoHS, standards with international recognition have increasingly become important, and IPC has striven to fulfil this vital role.

A common misconception is that the IPC concept consists of one book of standards, namely IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies); the truth is that the IPC framework consists of four major legs, which are: standards; training; certification; and membership. It is the thousands of hours of volunteer time contributed by individuals throughout the industry that makes IPC strong.

IPC standards are created by industry volunteers through committee task groups which, today, exist in the United States, the Nordic countries and China. In its 52-year history, IPC has published standards for many steps of the printed circuit manufacturing and assembly process, building from a foundation of solid design up to final acceptance.

Now electronics companies within Europe are being invited to participate in an IPC task group and join IPC as a member. The benefits include contributing to the content of future IPC standards. When a company in the electronic production chain decides to enter the IPC loop, it will discover many possibilities for improving and maintaining quality; and if they are lucky, the perfect solder joint.

Benefit from the standards

To get the greatest benefit from using IPC standards it’s important to provide training and certification of operators in key positions of the electronic production. Since 1995, when IPC’s first training and certification programme was launched, many major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contract electronics manufacturers (CEMs) like Celestica, Solectron, Flextronics, Sanmina-SCI, Ericsson, Bosch, SAAB and Nokia have participated with impressive results.

IPC offers globally-recognised, industry-traceable training and certification programmes in the key areas of discrimination skills and hands-on skills.

• Three of IPC’s certification programmes reinforce discrimination skills, ie: see it, hear it, read it, write it and apply it. They also support the visual acceptance criteria in IPC-A-600 (Acceptability of Printed Boards), IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies), and IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance of Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies).
• Two further IPC certification programmes provide the other critical aspect of hands-on skills; the workmanship programmes for J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies), and IPC-7711/7721 (Rework, Repair and Modification of Electronic Assemblies), require hands-on training and skills-demonstration by the student.

Each programme has two components:

1. Certified IPC Application Specialist (CIS): Operators, inspectors, buyers and managers who use the standard can become certified by a CIT. Application Specialists must be recertified every two years.
2. Certified IPC Trainer (CIT): Upon successful completion of this train-the-trainer programme, candidates are eligible to deliver CIS training. This training is only available through IPC authorised certification centres such as Electronics Yorkshire. Trainers must be recertified every two years.

All courses in the IPC certification programme can be useful tools for the development, production, rework and repair of electronic products for all companies that are serious about quality. Not only that, participating in one or more IPC certification programme can have a great impact for CEM companies approaching new customers or discussing additional contracts with existing business partners.

'From a marketing perspective, having CIS operators on staff is a great unique selling point (USP), whilst OEM buyers will have greater confidence in quality levels if they see the commitment a supplier has made to the combination of IPC standards and certified training', says Lars Wallin, IPC European Representative.

Further to all of these, Designer Certification and Advanced Designer Certification can evaluate a CAD operator’s qualifications, knowledge and skills. IPC Designer Certification is a powerful tool for promoting a designer's role in the production of printed boards and assemblies. Successful completion of these certification and workshop programmes results in a CID or CID+ credential.

For more information on IPC standards and certification, contact Electronics Yorkshire (info@eytraining.org.uk; 0800 610 1601), your authorised IPC training centre, or Lars Wallin (LarsWallin@ipc.org) IPC European Representative.