The 3 Levels of IPC Certified Trainers

The product development in the electronics manufacturing process involves multiple stages including initial design, production, and final testing. The complexity of these processes combined with the objective to achieve uniform standards prompted the IPC to set criteria for product acceptability and establish training courses to produce IPC-certified training professionals, which it has classified into three different levels.

1. Master IPC Trainers (MIT)

These are the trainers authorized by IPC to conduct training and grant IPC certification to certified IPC trainers. IPC has also authorized MITs to conduct Certified IPC Specialist Training to qualified individuals. On top of this, MITs are also given the authority to conduct IPC training for any organization that wants such training for its employees as long as these are conducted in accordance with IPC policies and procedures.

This level is open only to employees of IPC training centers that are licensed and authorized by IPC. MITs receive their certification from the IPC director for certification.

2. Certified IPC Trainers (CIT)

Certified IPC Trainers earn their certification through the training and testing conducted by Master IPC Trainers. Individuals that are qualified to take this level of training include employees of companies, faculty members of schools and training institutions, or independent consultants who work with electronics manufacturing companies. Certified IPC Trainers are authorized to issue certification credentials to Certified IPC Specialists who have successfully completed their training program or pass the program's minimum skills measurement criteria.

3. Certified IPC Specialists (CIS)

Certified Training Specialists are a product of an IPC program that is designed to train and test individuals regarding the correct application of product classification. They are trained and certified either by a Certified IPC Trainer or Master IPC Trainer. The training for Certified IPC Specialist is appropriate for managers, supervisors, inspectors, operators, technology students and individuals who can benefit from a good understanding of IPC standards.

Getting an IPC certification for key personnel can give your organization a sense of awareness of the importance of product standardization. But these are not all there is to IPC. There are different levels of individual certification, but it has only one goal: To streamline workmanship in electronics manufacturing through training and certification of key personnel. You should not allow your company to be left behind in electronics manufacturing standards of workmanship. Get your staff certified by a duly authorized IPC training center now.

Electronics Training and Certification: Crucial Elements in the Fight Against Counterfeit Parts

The electronics industry continues to battle fake or counterfeit parts, which production and distribution within the United States and around the world have reached an alarming rate. Tiered supply chains, bargain hunting, reduced inventory levels, part scarcity or out of production, assumption of quality control by others and limited inspection and testing have been determined as among the main reasons for the rise in production of counterfeit electronics and related components and goods.

Image credit: Flickr.com

 In an effort to reduce and eventually expunge this huge problem besetting the sector, it is imperative that manufacturing companies subject their workforce to electronic manufacturing training by a reputable organizations and certification body.

Certification programs for electronic professionals may consist of one or more trainings on, among others:

• counterfeit product auditing or screening;
• counterfeit component QA inspection;
• counterfeit component detection techniques;
• counterfeit component recognition or identification tips; and
• counterfeit component mitigation process.

These comprehensive sets of courses and trainings are expected to equip electronic technicians and specialists with the knowledge and skill to detect and prevent counterfeit components, while advancing the company’s Quality Assurance process.

3 Facts That Will Get You Raving About Robots

Robotics fascinates us! This specialized facet of complex electronics has gained a lot of press with efforts from all over the globe create and recreate robot designs. Experts in the field of robotics agree that it takes brilliance and innovation to take electronics and technology to greater heights.

 Flickr.com / John Greenaway

Here are 3 top facts on robots and robotics:

1. The world’s very first humanoid was named Elektro. Introduced in 1939, this 7-foot robot from Westinghouse could speak roughly 700 words.

2. Robots are living among us in the real world! The US military utilizes about 4,000 robots for scouting bombs and poking around hideouts as they did in Iraq and in Afghanistan, respectively. The latter led to the successful capture of Bin Laden.

3. Kevin Warwick, a Cybernetics professor, implanted computer chips in his left arm for different remote functionalities such as for operating an electronic wheelchair and an artificial hand. The chip also allows him to operate doors remotely. Because of this, Warwick believes he is “the very first cyborg in the world."

What Electronics Have Consumers Been Spending Their Money On?

You may not know it, or you may not know enough about it, but you are spending most of the time of your day on electronic products. In fact, we depend on these a lot to finish work, accomplish personal tasks and even entertain us! Not surprisingly, we unknowingly (or knowingly) spend a lot of money on electronic gadgets and equipment.

Here are the numbers related to electronic spending according to the Consumer Electronics Association or CEA:

• $1,312: the average amount spent by each household per year on consumer electronics, according to a 2012 CEA study.

• $206 billion: theUS annual electronic consumer sales in 2012, as driven by the rise in the sales of tablet computers and smartphones.

• 796 million: the number of Apple devices sold in 2013, namely iPhone, iPad and iPod

• 7.5 million: the estimated number of televisions bought in 2013 to watch the Superbowl

Flickr.com / Phil Campbell

 Indeed, society has come a long way as electronics consumers. The numbers say it all!

More Consumers Eyeing for Consumer Electric (CE) Products this Holiday Season

Demand for consumer electronic (CE) products will be higher this coming Holiday Season based on the results of the survey conducted by the HIS Technology. About 68 consumers responded to the survey and most of them are into buying electronic products like game consoles, laptop, smartphone, and TV. Other consumers that responded to the survey prefer buying these products not only during the season. They also buy smartphones when it is Black Friday as they will be at home and just relaxing.  Also, the survey named Amazon as the leading online retailer trusted by many consumers.   Amazon is being followed by Walmart. Check this news at http://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/4754/big-holiday-season-seen-for-consumer-electronics.