IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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56 It's clear these competitors knew what they were doing. For the first time in a hand soldering competition, eight of the 10 finalists produced func- tioning PCBs in accordance with IPC-610 Class 3 standards. "We were thrilled to host such a skilled, sensa- tional group," says Philippe Leonard, IPC Europe managing director, who was on hand at electronica 2022 to crown the world champions, two of whom came from the same company. Lest anyone think this is a competition meant for beginners, the technically challenging projects often required contestants to rework a functional electronics assembly within a 45- to 60-minute time limit. Assemblies were judged on soldering in accordance with IPC-A-610H, IPC J-STD-001H, IPC-7711/21C - Class 3 criteria, the speed at which the assembly was produced, and overall electrical functionality of the assembly. The contestants, however, recognize that this competition is all in a spirit of fun and showmanship. "The goal of the competition is to do soldering both fast and well," says Pascal Levivien of Dassault Aviation. "It is quite different in the real aeronautical industry where we must do it very well with longer time requirements than the IPC recommendations. Aeronautics is a field of excellence in which the skills of men and women are essential." Time for a red carpet walk for the three winners at Global Industrie 2022 Hand Soldering Competition in May 2022. Pictured left to right: Philippe Léonard, IPC Europe managing director; Jonathan Albrieux, IFTEC; first-place winner Manuella Anani, Dassault Aviation; second-place winner Alison Guermond, Safran Fougères; third-place winner Nathalie Foubert, Safran Fougères; and Patrick Mellet, IFTEC. Contestants were allowed 45 to 60 minutes to build an assem- bly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 at IPC Hand Soldering Competitions, such as this one at the Global Industrie Competi- tion in Paris. IPC Hand Solding Competitions in Asia originated in China in 2010, and now regional competitions also take place in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.