Dale

Don't leave out the design needs to be consistent with IPC Class 3 also.
There's no magic button a fabricator can push and just start producing Class
3 product from a Class 2 design.  Requirements such as thicker copper
plating in the barrel and more annular ring require a design capable of
meeting these objectives.

Mike McMaster
RF Product Engineer
Merix Corporation
503-992-4263



> ----------
> From:         Dale Ritzen[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     TechNet E-Mail Forum.;Dale Ritzen
> Sent:         Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:20 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: [TN] IPC Board Quality
>
> 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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