IPC A-600 – Acceptability of Printed Boards
IPC A-600 sets the standard for PCB workmanship, with comprehensive acceptance criteria for target, acceptable and non-conforming conditions on bare printed boards.
Almost everything electronic gets soldered onto a printed circuit board. If there is a problem with the board then dozens, or even hundreds, of expensive electronic components are wasted, together with the associated manufacturing time.
If you manufacture circuit boards and want to ensure your customers receive the highest quality, fault-free boards, then this standard is essential for your company.
Certification in this industry-developed and approved IPC PCB training programme helps to build your employees’ understanding of critical quality assurance/visual acceptance criteria for unpopulated printed circuit boards. It also shows your customers that your company is committed to the continuous improvement of its operations and product quality.
Fees
€0.00 per student exc. VAT
COURSE OUTLINES
Who should attend IPC A-600 training
This standard is aimed at anyone needing to assess PCB quality, such as:
- quality controllers;
- inspection supervisors and managers;
- goods inwards supervisors and managers; or anyone responsible for the quality and reliability of printed circuit boards.
- IPC A-600 short course for Goods-inwards
This day and a half course covers just Modules 1 and 2.
Module 1 – Introduction, Policies and Procedures
Module 2 – Externally Observable Characteristics
- Printed board edges
- Base material surface and subsurface
- Solder coatings and holes
- Printed contacts and markings
- Solder mask, pattern definition and flatness
- ‘Externally observable’ conditions are those features or imperfections which can be seen and evaluated on or from the exterior surface of the board. In some cases, such as voids and blisters, the actual condition is an internal phenomenon and is detectable from the exterior.
- IPC A-600 for trainers or staff
There are two levels of IPC A-600 training.
- To have your team able to apply the standard you need the Application Specialist (CIS) level.
- To take responsibility for your own training, at least one of your team must gain the Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) level to train and certify other staff. Any company which has a large number of staff who will benefit from IPC A-600 knowledge and certification may find it more beneficial to have a CIT to train and maintain its own employees.
The Electronics Group has Master IPC Trainers delivering CIS and CIT certification across all five practical and classroom-based IPC programmes.
IPC A-600 Course Overview
IPC A-600 is designed to ensure that boards conform to laminate integrity, layer to layer spacing, annular ring requirements, etching characteristics, pattern definition and plating. The IPC PCB quality requirements apply to all boards of any construction, including rigid, semi-rigid and flexible printed boards, organic multichip module mounting, interconnecting structures and HDI layers.
Your team will have the knowledge and ability to spot:
- Surface imperfections;
- Subsurface imperfections;
- Imperfections in conductive circuitry;
- Hole characteristics; and
- Solder resist imperfections.
IPC A-600 covers three classes of quality assurance:
Class 1
General electronic products – such as cameras, audio/video and domestic appliances. The lifetime of these products is limited, and a failure is not critical.
Class 2
Dedicated service electronic products – such as printers, copiers, computers and general production equipment. The lifetime of the products is longer than class 1, the amount of usage is higher, and an uninterrupted service is desirable.
Class 3
High reliability/critical products – such as military, aerospace and medical. Not only is the product lifetime extended but the products must function without interruption and downtime is not an acceptable option.
COURSE DETAILS
IPC A-600 course duration and booking:
- Certified IPC Trainer (CIT)
- Course is 3 days.
- All modules are mandatory.
- A copy of the IPC Standard IPC’s training materials is included for each student.
- Certified IPC Application Specialist (CIS)
- Course is 3 days.
- All modules are covered within three days.
- A copy of the IPC Standard is included for each student for the duration of the course.
- Goods Inwards Certified IPC Application Specialist (CIS)
- Course is up to 2 days.
PREREQUISITES
No prior knowledge required
FEES & FUNDING
Through the Get Qualified Scheme, students benefit from tax credits of up to 70% of their course fees after successful completion. Our team can assist you with applying for the Get Qualified scheme when undergoing training at the NOUV Academy.
Businesses seeking to train their staff can benefit from the Investing in Skills Scheme, a government incentive designed to provide support to companies to increase the productivity and adaptability of individuals that are active in the Maltese labour market. Our team will assist you in accessing applicable schemes when enrolling your staff in training courses through the NOUV Academy.