Our clients often ask questions regarding the standard of quality and control that’s followed by Super PCB in the manufacturing process of printed circuit boards. Well, just as certain guidelines and control standards are present in the manufacturing of electronic devices to ensure functionality; so are there guidelines employed that ensure the quality working processes of printed circuit boards.
Formed in 1957, IPC is an international trade association that serves the electronics assembly and printed circuit boards industries. The institution has comprehensive inspection guidelines and standards in place, through which quality of manufactured PCBs is verified.
Manufacturers of PCBs Must Comply With Standards Place by the IPC
Realizing the importance of well functioning PCBs, the IPC created a number of guidelines that, if followed by manufacturers, ensure the final quality of PCBs is up to par. The same standard methodology of inspecting the final product as provided by the IPC is strictly followed by Super PCB as well.
The two primary guiding documents provided by the IPC for this purpose are;
IPC-A-600: Acceptability of Printed Boards
This is an inspection criterion due to which the level of acceptance criteria is realized for each class of product. This guideline helps the manufacture understand what the minimum requirements are to be for each printed board specification.
This guideline isn’t meant to set the performance level or specification for the manufacture of each printed board. In fact, it is used more often as a tool to inspect the internal and external mechanism for printed circuit boards.
IPC-6012: Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards
This guideline helps to define and establish the standard performance and qualifications requirements that manufacturers should meet fabricating rigid circuit boards. With the help of this standard, manufacturers know which requirements they have to meet during the fabrication process for the 3 performance class of printed boards, i.e. Class 1, 2 and 3, 3A.
Class 1
The circuit boards included in this class typically have a ‘limited life’. Class 1 circuit boards are manufactured where the function of the end use product is usually the requirement. For example: a garage door opener.
Class 2
This class of circuit board is manufactured and needed when continued performance, an extended life and uninterrupted service are desired features; however, it is not of critical importance. For example: the motherboard in your home’s PC comes under class 3.
Class 3
This is the highest class of printed boards and will include any end use where performance on demand or high performance is absolutely necessary. Class 3 printed boards are used in products that can’t fail to work or fail to perform. Typical areas where class 3 PCB is required are flight controls, defense systems and medical applications.
The differences between the classes are achieved by following tighter tolerances and controls, which in the end result in the manufacture of a more ‘reliable’ product.
It’s Easy to Become IPC-6012 Compliant
That is being said, even if claiming to be IPC-6012 compliant and having ability to manufacture all classes, PCB manufacturers need to submit a sample product to an outside lab along with the accompanying coupons. This is done to accurately measure conformity, allowing manufacturers to know the capabilities of PCBs with the help of certified test results.
In addition, IPC requires manufacturers to send in regular samples of their work to ensure that conformance is maintained on an on-going basis with the product being certified. The tests reports and results should be made available to clients to verify manufacturer’s capability to meet all requirements and standards set forth by IPC-6012.
We at Super PCB also follow stringent standards and guidelines of quality control inspection placed by the IPC and other organizations. Get in touch with us today to decide if our printed boards will meet your functions and requirements or not.