Mark, Funny you should mention this. For the past 2 years we have actually been in the process of setting up our own internal Audit team to perform PCB house audits. We have already audited several board shops and have found that the PCB manufacturing process is a analog process that is technically complicated, especially for those of us who have never worked in a board shop. Over the last two years we have worked very closely with one of the engineers at one of our PCB houses in order to learn as much about the PCB manufacturing process as possible. We have become an IPC-A-600 Class A certified trainer, and in November we will be attending a 5 day seminar on PCB technology, PCB microsectioning, and PCB house auditing. We have worked closely with laminate manufacturers to understand laminate materials and how they perform. We are constantly trying to improve our auditing skills and level of knowledge. Although we do not always know right away whether the board shop is performing a specific process adequetely, through our auditing notes and auditing review process we are able to confirm the board shops processes. So far we have been rather successfull in selecting board shops that are technologically capable of providing us with quality PCB's on a consistant basis. So, provided you are well prepared (the key to a good audit is preparation)and the audit is done properly the auditing process definitely works. Although, I have fully enjoyed learning about the PCB manufacturing process and would not trade it for anything, my company has spent thousands of dollars and man hours on learning the PCB manufacturing processes. Cost has not been an issue for us, but for many other small manufacturers it is. They could never afford to put together the type of PCB auditing team we have, and usually for smaller manufacturers receiving quality PCB's can "make" or "break you". Provided that it is properly structured, I believe the type of service you are going to offer is an outstanding idea, and will be very usefull for a lot CCA manufacturers. I would like to know more about your service once you have fully implemented, so please keep me on your mailing list. Good luck!! Thanks, Kathy Palumbo Manufacturing Engineer IPC Certified Instructor Viking Components, Inc. 30200 Ave. De Las Banderas Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. 92688 BUS: (949) 643-7255 ext. 352 Fax: (949) 459-5360 CELL: (949) 422-4145 E-Mail: [log in to unmask] Web: http//www.vikingcomponents.com/ -----Original Message----- From: Richard Mark Mazzoli [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Saturday, October 23, 1999 7:01 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] PCB shop auditing Hi TechNetters, In a discussion with some fellow engineers we discussed the potential need for a service that audits PCB shops for end users. The service would provide on-site audits of your PCB shops performing all the in depth checks that you would want to find in place at your suppliers shop. Do any of you think that there would be a need for such a service? All responses would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark Mazzoli ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Gayatri Sardeshpande at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5365 ############################################################## ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Gayatri Sardeshpande at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5365 ##############################################################