Customers who require PCB manufacturing and services will require reassurances that their contract partners comply with the sector’s regulations and achieve high quality outputs. This is why the recognised industry standards ISO 9001 and IPC-A-610 are significant in electronics manufacturing. Printed circuit board design and manufacturing is governed by regulations that go beyond quality assurance.
Setting the minimum standard guidelines with which manufacturers must comply, PCB certifications, including quality management systems, provide customers with the knowledge that a company complies with the stringent industry guidelines.
This means the employees have the knowledge and training to reduce the need for reworking and scrap, saving on costs as a result.
What is IPC-A-610?
IPC soldering standards are a requirement for EEI manufacturing. They are particularly important in the aerospace, military and medical manufacturing industries, where high reliability electronics are crucial.
IPC-A-610 is a workmanship standard of inspection acceptability. It has three different classes: Class 1 covering general electronics products, Class 2 for dedicated service electronics and Class 3 for high reliability electronics.
Also known as Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies, this is the most widely used standard of the IPC. It ensures the appropriate standards are maintained during PCB assembly and determines what is and isn’t acceptable during the printed circuit board assembly processes.
IPC-A-610 Class 2 is the most requested standard for non-critical electronic assemblies. It ensures that the products will be of a higher quality than standard Class 1 products. They will be more effective and reliable.
Like the IPC-A-610 Class 1 standard, Class 2 allows for a small degree of imperfections. This can include an “off pad” component placement that doesn’t look perfect but will still function appropriately.
The IPC-A-610 Class 3 standard is for electronics that require extremely high reliability. In situations where high performance or performance on demand is critical, equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, and the equipment must function when required. Achieving this standard requires the best workmanship in terms of durability, high quality and accuracy.
Class 3 puts in place stringent requirements, as it is the standard for many critical assemblies and high-end electronic products. Attaining this standard, especially the perfect component placement, requires a longer build time and typically an additional cost.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system in the PCB assembly sector. Quality management systems are vital for any organisation that works in PCB design and manufacturing. A QMS provides the tools to continuously improve the overall processes.
The benefits of ISO 9001 are numerous, as it creates better products, improves repeat processes and ultimately reduces costs for the business, providing savings that can be passed on to customers.
ISO 9001 standard focuses on a number of aspects of PCB design and manufacturing, ensuring the processes and products comply with the specifications. It provides a centralised digitised backup for all the relevant documentation.
The requirements ensure various industry compliances are met. For example, the standard improves the resolution of time issues, while helping to prevent any future incidences.
It also ensures improved departmental communication by creating a feedback loop between managers and floor operators. The requirements for ISO 9001 include a centralised system that helps to improve efficiency throughout the whole manufacturing processes.
Why ISO 9001 is important
As the world’s most recognised quality management system standard, ISO 9001 helps organisations to meet the needs of their clients and stakeholders more efficiently. It achieves this by building a framework to ensure the quality of products and services remains consistently high. These quality standards must be integrated into every step of the PCBA manufacturing process.
By complying with standards such as ISO 9001 and IPC-A-610, Sellectronics offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all aspects of contract electronics manufacturing.