A main concern for many manufacturers is in regard to the implementation of lead free solders. Both specifications provide new acceptance criteria for connections made with lead free alloys. In general, acceptance criteria of the solder connections with or without lead remains the same. Regardless of the type of solder alloy that is used, you must still meet the same basic acceptance criteria for either application. Also included are the descriptions of wetting angles, and surface appearance common with the use of lead free solder connections. An entire appendix added to IPC J-STD-001D provides visual acceptance criteria for lead free alloys. The same comparison photos are included in IPC-A-610D.

The following are some of the more frequently asked questions that apply to both the IPC-A-610 and IPC J-STD-001 Certified IPC Trainers and Specialists:

What if I am a Certified IPC Trainer, but was certified to Revision C?

While IPC's Professional Training and Certification Programs are developed to a specific revision of a document the certification is not revision specific. Any currently certified trainer or application specialist is certified to use any revision level appropriate to their work requirements. Currently certified trainers will be given the opportunity to obtain Revision D training materials and conduct Revision D training if they wish.

A very experienced instructor that knows how to properly use an Instructor Guide and is above average in technical knowledge and content of the revised Standard(s) may be able to conduct satisfactory training. However, there have been a significant number of minor criteria changes, new content has been added, and the documents have been completely reformatted to facilitate ease of use. Content and manner of presentation of the training material has also changed. Participation in a formal classroom program will significantly enhance an instructor's ability to provide superior training.

Does Rev C certification expire with the release of the Rev. D specifications?

Your certification status is valid until the expiration date without regard to revision.

When will the new course materials be released?

Instructor training materials are available now for the new IPC-A-610D courses. There are separate certification and recertification courses for instructors. The IPC-A-610D Application Specialist training is now modular and the same training materials are used for certification and recertification. Modular certification to specific topics will enable companies to better control training costs and minimize the time that operators are away from their work centers.

The J-STD-001D training materials are projected for release early in July. The Application Specialist course has the same modular approach of Rev C training. If you are due for recertification, you should check with your certification center to see what training materials will be given as part of the course. Many of the current Instructors have plenty of the Revision C course materials, and may want to wait for the Rev D materials.

How long will Revision C materials be available?

The IPC will supply revision C materials as long as there is a reasonable demand.

What are the major changes in the training materials?

The IPC-A-610 Applications Specialist course is now modular, 13 modules in all. Previously, in order to receive an IPC certification for this course, students were tested on the entire specification. With the new revision, companies may pick only the sections that pertain to their product. Instead of the written open and closed book exam, students will be required to take one closed book exam covering general requirements, and then an open book exam for each section covered during the training session.

One major change to the IPC J-STD-001 course is the introduction of Lead Free Alloys. Participants will now be required to use lead free alloys on a portion of the required workmanship sample.

These new specifications bring about many changes that will eventually affect electronic manufacturers; specifically manufacturers that are contractually obligated to meet the requirements of these revised specifications. Manufacturers need to review their contracts and find out what their customers expectations are in regard to the new revisions.

For more information and course schedules for J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610, please contact the EMPF registrar at (610)362-1295, or visit the EMPF website at www.empf.org.