Designing around standards can be challenging. While working on a weather balloon project at university, I learned more about FAA regulations than I ever thought I’d care to know. While determining the physics for a proper flight was difficult and balancing a meager school budget even harder, the most intensive and exacting process was synchronizing between multiple agencies with jurisdiction over our flight path. While the rapidly rising (how ironic!) cost of helium ultimately sidelined the project, I learned a valuable lesson about the necessity of adhering to industry regulations and guidelines for safety.
For electronics and the manufacturing of printed circuit boards, it’s no different: devices must meet safety standards to avoid failing tests or later fines. The best CMs will be those well-versed in the industry standards for building circuit boards. Some of these standards include those published by IPC, the Association Connecting Electronics Industries. In these standards, designers can find detailed information on the documentation of a board’s manufacturing. Consider the IPC PCB standards a CM must use to build a circuit board and how the best CMs incorporate them into all operations.
IPC PCB Standards By Project Progress
| Progress | Applicable Standards |
| Project Start | IPC-2221, IPC-1752, IPC-7711/21, J-STD-02, IPC-020, IPC-075, IPC-4552/3/4, J-STD-033, J-STD-609, IPC-7095, IPC-CH-65, IPC-2141, IPC-2251, IPC-2152, IPC-4101, IPC-4562, IPC-9691, IPC-7092/3/4, IPC-4121, IPC-2615, IPC-7351, IPC-2611/2/2-1/4 |
| CAD | IPC-2221/2, IPC-7351, J-STD-609, IPC-7095, IPC-2141, IPC-2251, IPC-2152, IPC-4101, IPC-4121, IPC-9691, IPC-7092/3/4, IPC-2615, IPC-7525/7, IPC-2581, IPC-2611/2/2-1/4 |
| Ordering/Procurement | IPC-6011, IPC-6012, IPC-4101, IPC-2141, IPC-4121, IPC-9691, IPC-4552/3/4/6, IPC-2615, IPC-2611/2/2-1/4, IPC-6011/2, IPC-A-600, J-STD-003, IPC-5703, IPC-1601 |
| Assembly | J-STD-001, IPC-HDBK-001, IEC-61340C/ANSI 20.20, J-STD-033, J-STD-020, J-STD-075, J-STD-002/3/4/5/6, IPC-1601, IPC-7526/7, IPC-AJ-820, IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/21, IPC-CH-65, IPC-CC-830, IPC-HDBK-830, IPC-9505, IPC-WHMA-A-620, IPC-1752 |
| Conformal Coat | IPC-6012, J-STD-001, IPC-AJ-820, IPC-TM-650, J-STD-001, IPC-HDBK-001, IPC-020, IPC-075, IPC-2221, IPC-5701/2/3/4, IPC-9201/2/3, IPC-CH-65, IPC-AJ-820, IPC-8497, IPC-CC830, IPC-1752, IPC-A-610 |
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IPC PCB Standards Used in the Manufacturing of Your PCB
One of the most widely used industry standards in manufacturing printed circuit boards is IPC-A-610—Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies. This standard covers electronic assemblies handling, the acceptable methods for hardware installation on the assemblies, what constitutes acceptable soldering results, and many other aspects of manufacturing surface mount and through-hole technology circuit boards. Another standard, IPC J-STD-001G—Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, details how to manufacture a PCB to meet the acceptability requirements of IPC-A-610.
Here are some of the other IPC assembly standards a CM should be using in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards:
- IPC-A-600—Acceptability of Printed Boards. This standard is used primarily for the incoming inspection of bare boards from a PCB fabricator.
- IPC/WHMA-A-620C—Requirements and Acceptance for Cables and Wire Harness Assemblies. CMs use this to manufacture cables in conjunction with PCB assemblies.
- IPC-A-630—Acceptability Standard for Manufacture, Inspection, and Testing of Electronic Enclosures. This standard is used for CM assembles and box build inspections.
- IPC 7711/7721C—Rework, Modification, and Repair of Electronic Assemblies. To repair and rework PCBAs to IPC standards, a CM will use the information from this document.
Many other IPC specifications apply to the assembly of printed circuit boards, but these are the primary ones that a CM should use to ensure board success.
Training and Improvement Practices for Contract Manufacturers
Access to the IPC standards is an integral part of the process for a PCBA contract manufacturer, but simply having access to them isn’t enough. These standards are modified and updated regularly, and the best CMs will have a plan to keep their personnel fully trained with the latest information.
Contract manufacturers that do this may have one or more employees certified as IPC trainers (CIT). This designation allows the CM to keep their employees up-to-date with their biannual IPC certifications without spending extra time and money on a third-party trainer.
An additional benefit is that the CIT is not limited to just the CM they work for; it allows the CM to train other personnel from suppliers or customers. When all members of the PCB manufacturing process have training in these standards, everyone in the process—including the supplier, the CM, and the customer—will enjoy much better communication.
How IPC Standards Help in Every Aspect of Your CM’s Business
To succeed, a CM must do more than just focus on the specific details of the IPC PCB standards that apply to their actions. The best CMs will embrace these standards from cover to cover so that their processes build on a solid foundation. This way, they are prepared to catch minor manufacturing imperfections that would otherwise be overlooked by those merely trying to satisfy a limited set of details from the standard. Some details that can get missed include proper PCBA handling to avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD), work environment, and personnel considerations.
At VSE, we’re a team of engineers committed to building electronics for our customers, no matter how intricate. Our quality management system embraces the totality of the IPC standards; we only produce boards that adhere to the highest standards of excellence. As a corporate member of IPC since 2001, we go beyond the specifications to incorporate the following into our regular workflow processes:
- Video certification materials.
- Quick reference handbooks.
- Posted illustrations of acceptable solder joints for the inspection teams.
