Marie,
The one reason for having a class 3 finished product, per IPC-A-610, is the
big one... your customer's request. A lot of times, as a manufacturer, you
don't know what the final product is that the finished assembly is going
into. So, the customer tells you what their expectations are. I have a
customer right now that specifies an IPC-A-610 class 3 finished assembly,
and will not let us use anything but an IPC-A-600 class 3 raw board to build
that product on.

The key issue here is the expectation of your customer. During the contract
review step you need to get a clear reading on the "wiggle room" you have in
this regard. Some customers will be specific in their requirements. Others
will let you do a cost/benefit "DFM" investigation of the desired result and
allow you to make the decision on the board/assembly mix (with their
blessing, of course, to keep you out of hot water later!).

I CAN get IPC-A-610 class 3 workmanship on a class 2 raw board, but I would
never represent it as a class 3 finished product unless the customer has
agreed that it is indeed that. A true, bona fide class 3 product is one that
uses a class 3 raw board platform and class 3 workmanship/soldering/assembly
for the final, completed assembly. It may seem like semantics, but it really
isn't. There's a set of standards here that leave little room for
misunderstanding if the customer knows them and expects the desired result.

My 2 cents worth...  Have a Happy New Year!

Dale Ritzen, CQA
Quality Manager
Austin Manufacturing Services


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Dobbs, Marie
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] IPC Board Quality


I am looking for your opinions and experience.
IPC has the 3 levels of classification for the Acceptability pf Electronic
Assemblies, and IPC also offers 3 levels of classification for the
fabrication of Printed Circuit boards.

My question is this- Can I purchase a Class 2 Fabricated Printed Circuit
Card, and Expect to get Class 3 Workmanship Solder Joints from Manufacturing
Wave Soldering and Employee Hand Soldering?


One additional question, Other than the Military and NASA, what kinds of
products do you feel require the guidelines of a Class 3 Board and or
Assembly.


Any input is greatly appreciated.

Marie A. Dobbs
Training and Development Specialist
100 Technology Drive
Westminster, MA 01473
Phone:  1-978-731-6827
Fax:  1-978-731-6950

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