Whatever the manufacturing industry (whether it’s aerospace, automotive, military, industrial equipment, medical devices, telecommunications or something else), if you’re involved with electronics in some way, IPC certification definitely matters.
We know this first-hand at Connectronics, because we custom manufacture specialized connectors and interconnection systems for our clients from all types of industries. They appreciate (and we do, as well) the fact that we have IPC J-Standard certified (J-STD-001) professionals on our staff. Through active employee training and a commitment to high quality standards, our employees are specialists focused on the process control protocols and industry-consensus requirements outlined by IPC J-STD-001.
For those of you who might not be familiar with the IPC and the IPC Standards, the IPC was founded in 1957 as the Institute of Printed Circuits. Today, IPC is known throughout the world as the “Association Connecting Electronic Industry” whose primary mission is to serve the estimated $2.17 trillion global electronics industry. In the past six decades, IPC has expanded worldwide and grown to include more than 3,500 member companies. On its website, IPC says it is dedicated to furthering the “competitive excellence and success” of manufacturers and companies that make, use, specify and design printed boards and assemblies. IPC promotes itself as the electronics industry’s source for training, market research and public policy advocacy related to the industry. But, what IPC is best known for in the industry are its published “Standards.”
Overall, IPC Standards represent the best practices for the electronics industry and the entire electronics assembly market segment worldwide. IPC Standards are developed as industry-consensus documents and provide necessary guidance to manufacturers, suppliers, government agencies and everyone involved in the industry. While containing information related to the entire electronics supply chain – from incoming materials and components to final electronics assemblies – IPC Standards are highly focused on specific needs and requirements of the industry.
For instance, IPC J-STD-001 certification is based on the IPC Standard titled “Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies.” To explain IPC J-STD-001 in very basic terms, this standard provides the required process controls for soldering electrical and electronic assemblies in the most efficient and reliable way possible. And that’s why IPC certification matters: Any type of high reliability electronics, including those with high voltage connectors or high current connectors or other specialized connectors, need to be soldered the right way!
If you have any questions about Connectronics’ IPC certifications, please give us a call or email us through our website. [Also, stay tuned: In our next blog, we’ll be telling you more about the IPC WHMA-A-620B Standard for wire harness assemblies and connectors…]
