The importance of IPC Standards and Staff Training

In the electronics industry we, or at least the reputable companies, subscribe to the principles of IPC Standards.  So, for anyone that is not that familiar with the standards here is an overview of what it is all about.

In short IPC Standards are designed to A: Set Standards on product and enable harmonisation across electronic components and B: Ensuring there is a set of standards of workmanship making it clear for the Electronics Industry to understand the level of quality that has gone into a product assembly. Initially set up in 1957 for the standardization of printed circuit boards IPC Standards now govern every aspect of the Electronics Industry from design, components assembly and test. The standardising of assembly methods and components led to the rapid development of Electronics through the 1960’s  for example a manufacturer of PCB’s in Taiwan knew the electronic components made in Japan would work together in the same way it has lead to the globalisation of Electronics Assembly.

In our area of the industry Cable Assembly, we are governed by the IPC/WHMA-A-620 Standard.  This requires the training of staff to enable them to pass an examination at the end.  To maintain the qualification the exam must be retaken every 2 years.

The IPC/WHMA-A-620 Standard qualifications are broken down into the following levels:

Application Specialist (or CIS)

This is for anyone involved with the production of Cable Assemblies at an operator level ensuring they are confident and competent in the assembly processes and understand the different classes of assembly set out in the standard.

Certified IPC Trainer (CIT)

This is for an individual to train and certify the rest of their colleagues. Any company which has a large number of staff who will benefit from IPC WHMA-A-620 knowledge and certification may find it more beneficial to train and maintain their own employees.

Within Nicab ltd we live by these standards helping us to understand our customers requirements but to also help our customers to understand the implications of applying the different class of standards to their prods from design though to assembly and test.

We believe it is vital to the highest levels of quality that we provide by having our own inhouse CIT so that we can make training a constant element of staff development rather than a two year occurrence.    We believe passionately in constant improvement and highest levels quality never ends.

Read more about Nicab Ltd on their Made in Britain profile page

 

Find out more about Nicab Ltd on their member profile page here

Member-created content 3 years ago | By Made in Britain

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