This slide set is a high level overview of the IPC-A-600 acceptability of printed circuit boards certification and training program. It is designed to give you a high level overview of this acceptability of the printed circuit boards training program.

1. What is the IPC-A-600
Certification Program?
Bob Wettermann, MIT
BEST Inc.
bwet@solder.net

2. IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards
What is it?
This specification has become the most important
process, materials, and inspections standard for the
the printed circuit board industry. The document and
training has earned an international reputation as the
source for end-product acceptance.

3. What is it?
There is no hand soldering, crimping, stripping or any
other hand skills associated with this certification
program.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

4. Who is it for?
Printed Board Manufacturers Knowledge of acceptance
criteria is essential in tracing nonconforming conditions to their
origins in the manufacturing process. The IPC-A-600 Training and
Certification Program establishes the important relationship
between the IPC-A-600 and the IPC-6012. This program also
makes a powerful statement to users of printed boards that a
company is serious about continuous quality improvement.
Industry-recognized, technically accurate training for anyone
involved in PCB fabrication did not exist until now.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

5. Who is it for?
Electronics Assembly Companies No one wants to put dozens
of expensive components on a defective PCB. IPC-A-600 Training
and Certification gives the assembler the information to do a
better job at incoming inspection. Knowing acceptable conditions
means that PCBs are not needlessly scrapped; knowing
nonconforming conditions saves the assembler from an expensive
component mounting operation. Certified IPC Trainers working in
electronics assembly can forge a more productive relationship
with their PCB suppliers.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

6. Who is it for?
OEMs and Material/Equipment Suppliers Anyone involved in
purchasing or specifying printed boards needs to understand the
criteria of IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012. OEMs, like
assemblers, perform incoming board inspection and have a huge
investment in PCBs. Designers will learn the baseline
requirements for board quality for all classes of product. Material
and equipment suppliers along with OEMs will sharpen their
ability to recognize nonconforming conditions.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

7. What is it NOT?
This is not a hands-on certification program. There is
NOT any hand crimping, wire stripping or soldering in
this program.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

8. The CIS (Operator Level) Program
A Specialist certification may also be referenced as an
Operator certification. Specialists are certified to the
criteria but cannot train or certify others.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

9. The CIS (Operator Level) Program
Certifying students to IPCA-600 means that they are
officially recognized by the IPC as having achieved a
level of understanding of the contents of the
specification.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

10. The CIS (Operator Level) Program
Certifying operators to IPC-A-600 means that they are
officially recognized by the IPC as having a working
knowledge of the quality requirements set forth in the
specification.
Training is good for (2) yrs and the credential
belongs to the employee.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

11. The CIT (Operator Level) Program
Certifying Instructors to IPC-A-600 means that they
are officially recognized by the IPC as being qualified
to deliver IPC-A-600 CIS (Operator) Training.
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards

12. IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards
What is the IPC A-600 Certification Program?
PCB classifications
PCB acceptance criteria
Base material surface and subsurface conditions such as delamination and
crazing
Plated-through hole requirements for copper plating thickness, voids and
cracks amongst others
Conductor width and spacing including annular ring requirements
Solder resist coverage over conductors as well as their registration to lands
Dielectric material criteria for etchback, voids, and resin recession
Acceptance criteria for flexible, rigid-flex and metal core printed boards
This is a 3-day, lecture only course that teaches students the accept/reject
criteria in the IPC-A-600, for all three classes of PCB assembly.

13. To register:
Call BEST Inc at (01) 847-797-9250
Visit www.solder.net
Enquire at info@solder.net
IPC-A-600 Requirements and
Acceptance for Printed Boards