IPC Validation Services – An Important Piece to the Puzzle for Wire / Cable Assembly Companies
As many of you are aware, the Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) and IPC entered into an affiliation agreement in January of 2019, which brings many benefits to the WHMA membership and Wire / Cable community. IPC is a global industry association that has a leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. Many people think that these programs are for the electronics/PCB market but what they don’t realize is that many of these programs cross over to the Wire / Cable Assembly market.
There are two programs that I’d like to discuss in today’s column. The first is the IPC-WHMA Validation Services: Standards Gap Analysis (SGA). This service will assist your company to identify gaps between your current practices and IPC Standards. The SGA helps highlight those areas where you need to improve.
SGA starts with a comprehensive examination of your manufacturing processes by highly experienced IPC Experts who understand the standards and related fabrication processes. Although each case varies, SGA typically takes a day. Once complete, you receive a detailed confidential report. After implementing our recommended improvements, your company will be ready to take the next step in the certification process.
It’s the first step to IPC Certification. Before you start investing time and resources in the audit process, it’s best to let the IPC experts help identify the gaps between your current practices and the standards and have audits performed by IPC industry experts for Wire / Cable Assembly companies to become Certified as a QPL & QML that is industry recognized cost saving manufacturing performances. Currently, 50% of the SGA clients are Wire / Cable Assembly companies. It is a great way to make your audit go smoother.
Another program that I’d like to discuss in today’s column is the IPC-WHMA Validation Services: Technology Solutions. IPC Technology Solutions is a program to help customers solve challenges in PCB Assembly, PCB Fabrication, Wire and Cable Harness Assembly tackle increasingly complex operations and manufacturing challenges head-on—with a focus on resolving specific process problems. The Technology Solutions Experts work with you to streamline your operations, resolve process pain points and improve your bottom line using their five-prong approach.
- Investigate Process
- Troubleshoot
- Problem-Solve
- Educate
- Follow-Up
There are many benefits to the Technology Solutions offered by IPC but the main benefits are improving your manufacturing processes by reducing defects, scrap, and rework of finished goods. Increasing production throughput on the factory floor, improving yields, and creating the potential for cost reduction activities throughout the manufacturing processes.
To learn more about these programs, visit https://ipcvalidation.org/ or contact Norm Sagon at NormSagon@ipc.org or 847-682-1716.
Original Article can be found at Wire & Cable International Technology’s magazine/website.