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66 The PCB Magazine • October 2017 BECOME AN EXPERT! IPC-A-600 Acceptability of Printed Boards IPC-A-600 is the must-have training for un- derstanding the acceptance criteria associated with printed circuit boards. Like IPC J-STD-001, this training explores the numerous examples of acceptable and non-conforming conditions at the board construction level that are con- tained within the document. Trainees are spe- cifically educated on PCB quality, providing the backbone for a more complete understand- ing of the printed circuit board manufacturing process. IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies IPC-A-610 is the most widely used standard that IPC governs and is the cornerstone of most PCB PCA QA departments around the world. The training focus - es on various product acceptance criteria, as shown in the document, and explains a variety of topics per- taining to PCA construction, typical- ly paired with IPC J-STD-001. IPC/WHMA-A-620 Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies Simply put, this training and supporting document are the A-600/A-610 for cable and wire harnesses. Classification criteria for various characteristics are summarized and taught, sim- ilar to the other documents described above, with "target," "acceptable," "process indicator" and "defect" conditions all explained with both text and visual aids. IPC-6012 Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards Tied to IPC-A-600 for reference and support, this training and document are dedicated to rig- id PCBs. As with the other programs described above, acceptance testing and requirements are taught and explained to ensure a needed level of quality conformance understanding. IPC-7711 & IPC-7721 Rework of Electronic Assemblies & Repair and Modification of Printed Boards and Electronic Assemblies The last of the training courses is a bit different than the others. This training in- volves a significant amount of hands-on in- struction with respect to rework processes and techniques. The document itself provides guid- ance on the topics of rework, repair, and modi- fication of various component types and styles and is a how-to guide for "fixing" a compo- nent yourself! Of course, there are many other training courses out there in the world that you can also explore. I simply chose to discuss the ones that are at the core of the PCB indus - try and the ones that are the most well-known. Many resources are out there for oth- er topics that support the PCB indus- try—microsectioning, failure analysis, non-destructive inspection techniques, etc., just to name a few. Ultimately, you must de- termine the amount of knowledge needed or de- sired and then strike out on your own to find such information. Finding an expert can be a somewhat easy venture, but becoming an expert is a far more scenic journey. PCB Keith M. Sellers is operations manager with NTS in Baltimore, Maryland. To read past columns or to contact Sellers, click here.