What is the IPC A 600 Acceptability of Printed Boards?
The IPC A 600 has set the standard for PCB (printed circuit board) workmanship quality with its comprehensive criteria for acceptable and defect conditions on bare boards. This standard provides written criteria and illustrations that are either internally or externally observable. Almost everything electronic gets soldered onto a printed circuit board. If there is a problem with the board, then dozens, hundreds or even thousands of expensive electronics components risk being wasted, together with the associated manufacturing time and materials.
What is covered in the IPC A 600 Standard/Training Course?
Topics covered in the IPC A 600 standard include:
- Printed board product classification and acceptance criteria
- Base material surface and substrate conditions, such as measling and crazing
- Solder resist coverage over conductors and registration to lands
- Conductor width and spacing, and annual ring requirements
- Dielectric material criteria for etchback, voids, and resin recession
- Plated through hole requirements for copper plating thickness, voids, nodules and cracks
- Acceptance criteria for flexible, rigid-flex and metal core printed boards
Who is the IPC A 600 Training Course suitable for?
Printed circuit board manufacturers are the standout beneficiaries of IPC 600 training. Knowledge of the acceptance criteria is important for ensuring product quality, supply chain consistency and tracing nonconforming conditions to their origins in the manufacturing process.
Other businesses that will benefit from IPC 600 training are Electronics Assembly Companies, OEM’s and Material/Equipment Suppliers. Knowing the acceptance criteria of a printed circuit board is imperative for an OEM. Imagine buying thousands of bare boards from your supplier, spending time and money assembling expensive, hard to source electronics components on them, only to discover they do not meet the IPC Class (read about the IPC Classes for electronics products here), and your product is not fit for purpose. Having someone with the skills and knowledge to inspect the boards at Goods Inwards point could prevent such as scenario. For a CEM to produce an electronic assembly to IPC Class 2 or Class 3, the bare board must be produced to the same Class.
IPC A 600 training is available at the following levels:
- Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) and is suitable for Goods In Inspectors, PCB Inspectors, PCB Manufacturing Operatives, Quality Control
- Certified Subject Expert (CSE) and is suitable for Quality Control, Staff Liaising with customers, Team Leaders/ Management
- Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) for delegates wishing to deliver internal training to CIS level
Which level is suitable for your business depends on the goals for the training and The Electronics Group is happy to help guide you through this decision process.
All IPC certificates are valid for two years and recertification criteria found in the Policies and Procedures apply for CSE’s and CIT’s.
How long is the IPC A 600 Training Course and how is it delivered?
All courses within the IPC 600 standard are three days. This course can be delivered remotely via Teams/Zoom, at our training centres or on your site.
What do I need for the IPC A 600 course?
- A copy of the latest IPC 600 and IPC 6012 standard
- A copy of the relevant IPC Policies and Procedures
- A laptop or computer for exams
We can provide these items on loan should you not have your own or wish to purchase a copy of the book, however, having a cop of the standard available to trained IPC staff is beneficial in their day-to-day work. These items are required for all delivery methods, levels and locations.
If you are taking a remote course, you will need to ensure that your IT equipment meets certain specifications. Details on this can be found here.
Training at your facility will require a suitable classroom environment with a HDMI compatible TV or Projector.
Are there any prerequisites to studying for the IPC A 600 course?
Whilst there are no prerequisites for enrolling on the course, we do recommend delegates have basic knowledge of printed circuit boards. PCB manufacturing terminology and processes would be advantageous.
What is included in the cost of the IPC A 600 training course?
Included in the cost of the course is:
- IPC Exam Fee
- Tuition for the duration of the course
- Loan copies of books and laptops for face-to-face training, admin fees apply for remote training
- Lunch and refreshments (courses at The Electronics Group only)
- Downloadable training materials (successful CIT only)
- On going support, advice and guidance throughout the duration of your certification
