The importance of IPC standards for pcb manufacturing
2023-06-12
Technological advances ensure that printed circuit boards can not only perform complex functions, but can also be produced cheaply.
This is exactly why PCBS are an integral part of so many devices. However, the quality of the equipment is directly proportional to the
quality of the PCB used. As a result, PCB failures can have devastating consequences in which the entire system may fail. Therefore,
it is very important to adhere to certain quality measures in the PCB design and manufacturing process.
IPC standard
Printed Circuit Board Association (actually the association's former name; Although the IPC name has been retained, it is now called
the Association of Connected Electronics Industries, a global trade association for the manufacture of PCBS as well as other electronic
components. The Institute was founded in 1957 and published standards for the acceptability of printed circuit boards. The industry
association has more than 4,000 members who manufacture and design PCBS and components, including but not limited to the
following industries:
* Military and aerospace
* Automotive Industry
* Others
* Industrial equipment
* Medical equipment
* Telecommunications
As a result, IPC standards are the industry standard for almost all steps of PCB design, from design to production to electronics assembly.
Compliance with IPC standards published by industry bodies brings many benefits, including:
- Consistency
By maintaining IPC certification, you can ensure consistent production of high quality PCBS. This, in turn, can translate into customer
satisfaction and therefore can improve business.
- Improved communication
IPC certification ensures that suppliers and manufacturers use the same terminology, so there won't be any miscommunication. It
became a common language among designers, assemblers, and testers. Everyone is on the same page and there is no scope for
confusion other than increased speed. With improved cross-channel communication, total production time and efficiency will
automatically be improved.
- Reduce costs
Improved communication naturally leads to a reduction in costs as there are fewer remodelling and rework
IPC standards fall into a variety of categories. IPC-A-610 is the most widely used acceptance standard for electronic assembly in the
electronics industry. Ipc-a-610 is the world's most widely used standard for PCBA acceptance. Under the premise of taking into account
timeliness and technical seriousness, IPC has systematic and fair standard development management with A large technical team and
data support in 64 countries around the world. Maximize the changes and new content of the electronics industry in a timely manner to
convene global experts to discuss validation and update to the standard.
Some elements covered by IPC-A-610 include, but are not limited to:
* Heat sink
* Solder
* Terminal connection
* Component mounting
* Chip components
* endpoint
* Array
* Laminating conditions
Some of the basic principles of IPC-A-610 are:
Level 1
This applies to general electronic products where the main requirement is to complete the component function. Therefore, this is considered
This applies to general electronic products where the main requirement is to complete the component function. Therefore, this is considered
to be one of the most lenient categories in terms of allowing potential defects and is therefore not a category required by Oems.
Level 2
This is a standard often used for non-critical components, where long-term reliability is a prerequisite, although this class also allows a certain
This is a standard often used for non-critical components, where long-term reliability is a prerequisite, although this class also allows a certain
degree of defect.
Level 3
This is the highest standard and is suitable for the more critical PCB components. Therefore, good CEM suppliers will produce products that
This is the highest standard and is suitable for the more critical PCB components. Therefore, good CEM suppliers will produce products that
meet Level 3 standards. Higher costs are indeed required because of the additional inspections that need to be carried out and the need to
slow down the surface mount to ensure the required mount accuracy. Instead, it may sometimes be necessary to allow a higher degree of
obsolescence.
The advantages of using IPC standards also stem from the fact that they are globally recognized and have been tested in numerous industries.
However, according to the IPC, if there is any conflict regarding product acceptance, the following order of priority applies:
- Agreed and documented purchases between customer and supplier
- Master drawing
– IPC-A-610
IPC-7711/7721
A widely used standard in the industry, provides common skills for through-hole, surface mount rework, connection discs, conductors, and
laminate rework.It includes tools, materials, and methods, as well as procedural requirements, for removing and altering coats, surface mount,
and through-hole components. The standard also describes the specification requirements for reworking and modifying circuit boards and
components. In addition, the standard also adds guidance for rework of lead-free, BGAs and flexible boards. Many manufacturers and
assembly engineers hope to save a lot of manufacturing costs by reworking electronic components and PCB boards.
IPC also defines conditions that help improve the process. These conditions include:
*Goal condition - This is a near-perfect condition, which is ideal if not always achievable
*Acceptable condition - Although this condition may not be ideal because there may be a trade-off between design and performance, this
condition maintains reliability.
*Defect state - This is where the product is rejected because it needs to be reworked or repaired
*Process indicator conditions - These conditions are not known to affect the shape or function of the product, but depend on the material,
*Defect state - This is where the product is rejected because it needs to be reworked or repaired
*Process indicator conditions - These conditions are not known to affect the shape or function of the product, but depend on the material,
design, or machine-related factors.
STG pcb manufacturing follows IPC standards, and also conducts IPC standard training for relevant production and assembly personnel
to ensure PCBA quality and provide customers with high-quality products.