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Course materials are now available for both Instructors/Trainers and Application Specialists for IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies (Revision D). The Certified IPC Trainer course covers the entire specification, while the Application Specialist course is now modular, offering companies the flexibility to select the areas of training which pertain to their specific needs. Following is a description of the courses, including requirements which must be met to obtain trainer and specialist certifications.
The Certified IPC Trainer course reviews the responsibilities of trainers and provides a thorough review of the entire specification. Students are tested on their knowledge of the specification by completing one open and one closed book exam. A minimum average score of 80% is required for certification (with a minimum single test score of 70%). Upon successful completion, students will be issued an IPC certification and the required course materials for certified IPC specialist training.
Modules 1 and 2 of the Application Specialist course review the introduction of the IPC Professional Policies and Procedures, the forward to the specification, documents applicable to the IPC-A-610, and handling of electronic assemblies (covering common ESD practices). These first two modules are a requirement for basic certification and for the remaining modules in the course. Students must pass an open and closed book exam. Students must score at least 60% on each exam and attain a minimum average score of 70% (Duration: 2 hours).
The following are optional modules offered for the Application Specialist certification:
Module 3: Hardware Installation
Module 4: Soldering (including high voltage)
Module 5: Terminal Connections
Module 6: Through-hole Technology (including through-
hole jumper wires)
Module 7: Surface Mount Assemblies (including SMT
jumper wires)
Module 8: Component Damage and Printed Circuit
Boards and Assemblies
Module 9: Solderless Wire Wrap
(Modules 4 and 8 are prerequisites for Modules 5, 6, and 7.)
Module 3 covers hardware installation. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to recognize and identify acceptable mechanical assembly requirements. This two-hour module covers the following:
- Hardware installation
- Connectors, handles, extractors, and latches
- Connector pins
- Wire bundle securing
- Routing
Module 4 is a two-hour course which covers the requirements for soldered connections of all types, including high voltage soldering. This module is optional and is a prerequisite for Modules 5, 6, and 7 (Terminal Connections, Through-hole Technology, and Surface Mount Assemblies). The following topics are reviewed:
- Soldering acceptability criteria
- Soldering anomalies
- High voltage soldering
Module 5 reviews terminal connections. Students will gain knowledge of acceptance criteria relating to all terminal connections. This three-hour module covers the following:
- Edge clips
- Swaged hardware
- Wire/lead preparation and tinning
- Lead forming – stress relief
- Service loops
- Stress relief lead/wire bend
- Lead and wire placement
- Insulation
- Conductor
- Terminals – solder
- Conductor damage – post-solder
Through-hole technology is covered in Module 6. This three-hour section addresses acceptance criteria for hardware, adhesive, forming, mounting termination, and soldering criteria for supported and unsupported holes. The following topics are covered:
- Component mounting
- Heatsinks
- Component securing
- Component positioning
- Lead clinching
- Solder quantity
- Jumper wires
Module 7 reviews surface mount technology criteria for the most commonly used surface mount devices. Revision D includes the addition of plastic quad flat packs – no leads and components with bottom thermal plane terminations (Duration: 4 hours). The following topics relating to a variety of surface mount devices are covered:
- Staking adhesive
- Solder connections
- Jumper wires
Module 8 (Component Damage and Printed Circuit Boards and Assemblies) is a prerequisite for Terminal Connections, Through-hole Technology, and Surface Mount Assemblies. This two-hour module combines several sections of the IPC-A-610 Specification. The following areas are covered:
- Gold fingers
- Laminate conditions
- Marking
- Cleanliness
- Conformal coating/solder resist
Module 9 (two hours) reviews the acceptance criteria for solderless wire wrap. The following topics are reviewed:
- Number of turns
- Turn spacing
- End tails, insulation wrap
- Raised turns overlap
- Connection position
- Wire dress
- Wire slack
- Wire plating
- Damaged insulation
- Damaged conductors and terminals
The total duration of the course for the Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is four days (32 hours). The duration for the Application Specialist course will vary depending on the modules selected. The hours listed in this article are the minimum time requirements. Application Specialists are required to pass an open book exam for each module selected in order to obtain certification in those selected areas. Upon successful completion of the training session, the Application Specialist certificate will now indicate which modules the participant completed. Certification is valid for two years for both trainers and specialists.
Please contact the EMPF Helpline at (610) 362-1320 for more information about IPC-A-610 or to register for upcoming courses.
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