Did you know that IPC has revised the two most widely-used standards in the electronics industry? How will these changes affect original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who need electronic assemblies? To find out, a leading news source for the connector industry interviewed Teresa Rowe, Senior Director, Assembly & Standards Technology at IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries. The full-length interview is available at ConnectorSupplier.com, but here are some highlights you need to know.
Two Standards, Many Changes
IPC’s G revisions affect two standards: IPC-J-STD-001, Requirements of Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies; and IPC-A-610, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies. Here’s a quick summary of the changes.
- IPC-J-STD-001 now includes now includes requirements for a lead-free control plan for IPC Class 3 manufacturers who work with high-performance electronics. This document also contains new staking criteria for bonding components to circuit boards.
- IPC-A-610 now shares criteria with IPC/WHMA-A-620C, Requirements and Acceptance for Cable/Wire Harness Assemblies. Importantly, the criteria in both documents can be the same for electronic assemblies and cables. There are changes to jack post criteria, too.
IPC-J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 also contain changes to surface-mount criteria and feature new or updated figures throughout each document.
Standards Revisions and Manufacturing Challenges
As Teresa Rowe explains in her interview with ConnectorSupplier.com, IPC encourages companies who are updating their processes to closely review the changes to IPC-J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610. For a line-by-line comparison of the current and prevision revisions, IPC publishes official redline documents that are free for download at its website. Manufacturers can also address specific questions to IPC technical staff answers@ipc.org.
Ultimately, each OEM’s contractual requirements are unique to their products. That’s why it’s important to choose a manufacturing partner who understands your requirements and monitors IPC standards revisions. With the recent changes to IPC-J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610, Rowe predicts that “the electronics industry will see changes in processes and acceptance criteria throughout the assembly process.” Are you ready for these changes?
Choose the Right Manufacturing Partner
SHINE is a custom cable assembly manufacturer that provides wire harnessing services and electro-mechanical assembly. From engineering support and component sourcing to contract manufacturing and inventory manufacturing, SHINE strengthens your value chain. All our cables are built and tested to the IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard, and we maintain an ISO 9001:2015 registered manufacturing center in Adams, Massachusetts (USA).
To learn more about us and how we can help you, contact SHINE on-line.
