IPC Standards Committee Reports – Component Traceability, Base Materials, Fabrication Processes, Assembly and Joining
December 1, 2015 | IPCEstimated reading time: 5 minutes

Component Traceability
The 2-19a Critical Components Traceability Task Group held its first face-to-face meeting to continue development of the working draft IPC-1782, Standard for Traceability of Critical Items Based on Risk. This standard will establish minimum requirements for traceability of items throughout the entire supply chain, with particular initial emphasis on component traceability through the manufacturing and assembly processes. This standard will also be used as a base document for a possible series of standards for traceability of other parts through the supply chain.
Base Materials
The 3-11 Laminate/Prepreg Materials Subcommittee successfully examined and modified Amendment 2 to the IPC-4101D-WAM1, Specification for Base Materials for Rigid and Multilayer Printed Boards. Amendment 2 is proposed by the European Space Agency to concentrate on laminate and prepreg of substantially lower contaminant level. The proposed Amendment 2 will be composed of a newly constructed Appendix A which will be routed as a Final Draft for comment to all interested parties.
The 3-11f UL/CSA Task Group reviewed the 22 items for STP Ballot in UL 746E. This Ballot will close on November 9, 2015.
The 3-11g Corrosion of Metal Finishes Task Group discussed work that IBM (Dr. P. J. Singh) has done with Flowers of Sulfur testing.
The 3-12a Metallic Foil Task Group addressed the non-contact surface roughness test (proposed TM 2.2.22). Re-analysis of the round robin test data showed that the Gauge R & R was sufficient such that the proposed test method would be sent out as a Final draft for comment, once the test method verbiage was ‘cleaned up’.
The 3-12d Woven Glass Reinforcement Task Group reviewed spread glass data generated by JPS using weave style 1280 E-glass. Three new weave styles were submitted for addition into the IPC-4412B Appendices II. – These will be routed as a Final Draft of an Amendment 2. Finally, a minor change was noted to the group as to an IPC position statement concerning a European REACH treatment of boron trioxide as a Substance of Very High Concern.
Fabrication Processes
The 4-14 Plating Processes Subcommittee reviewed the latest draft of IPC-4552A, Specification for Electroless Nickel/Immersion Gold (ENIG) Plating for Printed Circuit Boards. The group also reviewed the about-to-be released Amendment 1 to IPC-4556, Specification for Electroless Nickel/Electroless Palladium/Immersion Gold (ENEPIG) Plating for Printed Circuit Boards.
Assembly and Joining
The 5-11c Electronic Assembly Adhesives Task Group recently approved for publication IPC-HDBK-4691, Handbook on Adhesive Bonding of Electronic Assembly Operations. The group will celebrate the publication when it meets at APEX/EXPO in Las Vegas. The task group will also begin review of orphaned Test Method 2.4.51 for dispersion of glass microbeads in self-shimming thermally conductive adhesives. The group will investigate if a similar industry test exists and also if glass microbeads in adhesives are still used on a regular basis.
The 5-20 Product Assurance Committee reviewed the status of the projects in its scope and started planning for the meetings to be held at APEX 2016.
The 5-21f Ball Grid Array Task Group has begun work on the D revision of IPC-7095, Design and Assembly Process Implementation for BGAs. Items to be addressed in this revision include harmonization with the latest revisions of IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, updating the Reliability section, supply chain issues and oxidation levels of ball surfaces.
The 5-21g Flip Chip Mounting Task Group continued its work on revision A to IPC-7094, Design and Assembly Process Implementation for Flip Chip and Die Size Components. The group is focusing on glob top, dam and fill, and frame and fill adhesives as well as reviewing submitted content and existing/new figures for the standard.
The 5-21h Bottom Termination Components Task Group broke ground on the A revision of IPC-7093, Design and Assembly Process Implementation for Bottom Termination SMT Components and is seeing strong interest and support in upgrading the standard. Topics under consideration include consistency of product from multiple suppliers, addressing components 1 mm to 4 mm and inspecting microcracking and poor adhesion.
The 5-22a J-STD-001 Task Group reviewed comments on IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies. This task group met a second day to resolve comments on criteria common to both IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, and IPC-A-610, Acceptability for Electronic Assemblies. The group also celebrated completion of the forthcoming J-STD-001 Revision F Amendment 1.
Page 1 of 2
Suggested Items
Driving Innovation: Direct Imaging vs. Conventional Exposure
07/01/2025 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationMy first camera used Kodak film. I even experimented with developing photos in the bathroom, though I usually dropped the film off at a Kodak center and received the prints two weeks later, only to discover that some images were out of focus or poorly framed. Today, every smartphone contains a high-quality camera capable of producing stunning images instantly.
Hands-On Demos Now Available for Apollo Seiko’s EF and AF Selective Soldering Lines
06/30/2025 | Apollo SeikoApollo Seiko, a leading innovator in soldering technology, is excited to spotlight its expanded lineup of EF and AF Series Selective Soldering Systems, now available for live demonstrations in its newly dedicated demo room.
Indium Corporation Expert to Present on Automotive and Industrial Solder Bonding Solutions at Global Electronics Association Workshop
06/26/2025 | IndiumIndium Corporation Principal Engineer, Advanced Materials, Andy Mackie, Ph.D., MSc, will deliver a technical presentation on innovative solder bonding solutions for automotive and industrial applications at the Global Electronics A
Fresh PCB Concepts: Assembly Challenges with Micro Components and Standard Solder Mask Practices
06/26/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsMicro components have redefined what is possible in PCB design. With package sizes like 01005 and 0201 becoming more common in high-density layouts, designers are now expected to pack more performance into smaller spaces than ever before. While these advancements support miniaturization and functionality, they introduce new assembly challenges, particularly with traditional solder mask and legend application processes.
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.