A rigid PCB is an inflexible and solid board used in electrical equipment. PCB stands for printed circuit board. There are stiff PWBs that are double-sided, single-sided, or multilayer. After they’ve been made/manufactured, rigid circuit boards can’t be altered or folded into any other form.

Rigid PCBs are used in the manufacturing of laptops, computers, mobile phones, tablets, phone repeaters, Testing, X-Ray, Heart monitors, CAT Scan, Industrial equipment, atomic and nuclear systems, military and defence equipment, and in the building of any object where complex Circuitry is needed.

IPC 6012 Certification

Fabrication of rigid PCBs refers to the process of manufacturing, making, or inventing rigid PCBs. The IPC 6012D standard specifies and defines the qualifications and performance requirements for rigid printed circuit board fabrication/manufacturing.

This specification aims to provide requirements for rigid printed boards’ certification and performance based on some constructions and/or technologies.

This certification covers the certification and performance of rigid PCBs, including single-sided, double-sided, multilayer with or without blind/buried vias, and metalcore boards, with or without plated-through holes. The standard covers electrical, mechanical, and environmental criteria, as well as a final finish and surface plating coating requirements, quality compliance, holds/vias, frequency of acceptance testing, and conductors.

IPC-6012 is a set of standard specifications. It specifies the default requirements and specifications for each PCB class (class 1, class 2, and class 3). PCBs of the class 1 category are general electric boards with a short life cycle and a simple function, such as those used in remote controls. Class 2 PCBs are long-lasting service electrical products. These circuit boards are commonly found in televisions, computers, and air conditioners. When compared to class 1 and class 2 PCBs, class 3 PCBs have tighter tolerances. Military applications, medical equipment, and the aerospace industry all employ these PCBs.

Topics to be Covered in the IPC 6012 Endorsement Program

• Material Requirements
• Visual Requirements
• IPC-6012 Scope/Applicable Documents
• Quality Assurance Provisions
• Dimensional and Conductor Requirements
• Structural Integrity Requirements
• Quality Assurance Provisions
• Solder Mask, Electrical and Cleanliness
• Special Requirements

Any company that uses IPC-6012 or is considering adopting it can use the programme to meet the standard’s training requirements. Quality assurance supervisors, Assembly process engineers, training managers, and anybody else responsible for the quality and dependability of soldered electronic assemblies may benefit from this course.

Material and Kits

You can easily purchase the relevant material for the IPC-6012 standard online. But before, you need to choose which IPC-6012 revision you want. Revision in this context generally means the edition. The latest edition for the certification is E which was released in 2020. While many people would want to buy the latest edition, many prefer the older ones since they are tried and tested by many. And this is a smart choice, but the edition shouldn’t be so old that it is considered outdated. The ideal edition to buy can be the D revision for many people. Make sure to buy the material relevant to the certification you want only. Since there are materials for every IPC examination and they also have different editions, it can be difficult to comprehend. Take your time while purchasing the kit. Make sure to buy the right one for you (standard and revision).

Benefits of the IPC-6012 Certification 

If we talk about the IPC certifications in general as well, all enterprises involved in the fabrication of PCBs and electronic products should comply with IPC requirements. The standards/certifications provide aid in the production of high-quality goods, reduction of expenses, simplification of communication, enhancement of competitiveness, and the enhancement of credibility. This was with respect to the quality of the products.

Now, if we look at the benefits of the IPC-6012 certification concerning the participant, the certification helps the individuals get better job opportunities with better pay and better working conditions. It also increases the theoretical and practical knowledge of the participants leading to professional growth. Professional growth leads to personal growth since it leads to a better standard of living.

Conclusion

IPC certifications are an excellent way to broaden your professional horizons and improve your job prospects in the electronic industry. However, because these are extremely specific certificates, your professional development is heavily influenced by them. As a result, you must select the appropriate option or programme for you.