What is the IPC class :

The IPC Class correspond to a norm that qualify manufacturing and assembly of an electronic board, from IPC Class 1 to IPC Class 3.

This norm is generalized as a global one. For example, the IPC-A-610 is declined under 3 norms, the IPC Class 1, 2 and 3. These ones are rank from the better (IPC class 3), to the less good (IPC class 1).

Why referring our manufacturing quality according to this norm :

The reason that justify the IPC standard use is defined by the quality factor that is provided with the final product.

This standard insures a quality level of the final work, based on specific and demanding criteria. The more the norm is demanding, the less the default acceptance level fall down.

As an example, the IPC Class 3 ensure a very long life expectancy of the electronic board in very hard climatic conditions.

Concrete definition of the IPC Standard :

Class 1 : General electronic products

This standard corresponding to low price electronics board with short life span. Typically, some products like kids electronic toys, flashlights, TV remotes … can be find in this category.

Class 2 : Specific use electronic products

The class 2 is one the most generalised for the manufacturing and the assembly of electronic board worldwide. EMSFactory minimum quality at the end of production lines is based on this norm. With this quality level, the life expectancy of electronic boards is insuring to be as long as possible and the quality level is fixed to an optimal level. According to the quality of the IPC 2, some electronic products as smartphones, computers and some domestic electrical can be associated with it.

Class 3 : High reliability electronic products

The IPC Class 3 is linked with high quality of manufacturing and assembly of electronic boards. It is one of the highest electronic quality worldwide. The IPC Class 2 fields of application concern the aeronautics, spatial and military sectors. The life expectancy of these is defined to be as long as possible with the highest quality that the electronic manufacturing sector can offer.

Why choose the IPC Class 2 as base quality for its products :

The reliability and quality level that represents the IPC Class 2 ensures that the finished product is able to resist; for prototyping applications and small product series; to some test and specific uses. This norm is also use because it ensures a control and a quality level at the end of production lines that can meet deadlines of the project.

Brief, Why choose the IPC Class 2 for your electronics boards ?

• Conception : pretty simple conception, that require not much constraints, and can be realised pretty easily
• Manufacturing : no much constraints assembly but still with a quality that ensures an optimal life expectancy
• Final check and inspection : some imperfections that don’t have much influence on the board functioning can be accepted on the control step, regarding to respect limits that the IPC standard impose

Why choose the IPC Class 3 for the manufacturing of your electronic board

The IPC Class 3 ensures a quality of excellence in manufacturing and assembly fields of electronics boards. This one can be choose for some constrains of solidity and reliability that are obligatory for the project. The assembly and verification process that come with this norm requires more time than IPC Class 2 process, because of constrains link with tolerance of the manufacturing and control process.

Brief, Why choose the IPC Class 2 instead of the IPC Class 3 for your electronics boards ?

• Conception : much longer conception time that requires to take under consideration as electromagnetics perturbation for example
• Manufacturing : long time assembly because of constrains link with the soldering paste application and components placements
• Final check and inspection : very few of imperfections are considered as acceptable by the IPC Class 3, that can lead to some adjustments on the final product that extend the manufacturing deadlines

Example of differences between IPC Class 2 and IPC Class 3:

Service proposed by EMS Factory :

EMS Factory propose to buy by default an IPC Class 2 electronic boards assembly, that can suits all needs. For more specific and demanding use of the product, that corresponds to a better quality, EMS Factory offers too manufacturing and assembly of IPC Class 3 electronic boards. This standard requires a particular step of control, that is realized by ourselves at the end of the manufacturing process as well as a report attesting to this quality, which is realized by the ILED quality lab (https://iled-lab.fr/).