Implementing Standards and Requirements within a CM - When is too much?

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For contract manufacturers, Unless expectations/requiremen... - Jun 01, 2023 by calebcSMT

most, possibly all of our clients, don't specify this kind o... - Jun 01, 2023 by Spoiltforchoice

Totally agreed regarding underlying issues if we were contin... - Jun 02, 2023 by calebcSMT

"If for example a customer requested assemblies but nev... - Jun 02, 2023 by MagyarT

calebcSMT

#89476

Implementing Standards and Requirements within a CM - When is too much? | 1 June, 2023

For contract manufacturers,

Unless expectations/requirements are particularly specified by customers OR there is a discussion and contract in place, what are the expectations when it comes to the assembly standards and practices? Is J-STD essentially just a standard to ideally implement, but unless specifically referred to/requested by the end user, then technically is the MFG required to follow any of these? (though of course, not doing this would be poor practice and not recommended...)

To expand: if for example a customer requested assemblies but never specified their requirements, would MFGs be expected/required to follow parameters from a specific class related to the end use of said product?

Or would this leave it completely open and become a judgment call by the MFG? If let's say you are inspecting the boards to class 2 (but not specified by customer, but based on end use/cost of failure/typical cases) but since the assembly isn't technically specified as class 2, would passing a joint that's only class 1 technically be allowed? Where would the line be drawn?

Same for cleaning (among other things): if the customer never specifies cleaning requirements/expectations, then at what point would you be cleaning too much? What about not enough? What even is the definition of clean if it's not being specified/references, as arguably the end customer may just be visually requesting.

Overall, how does a MFG determine requirements for assemblies when customer doesn't specify? As typically, most customers we see just want an assembled board and don't have any information regarding inspection/assembly/expectation requirements, so what is to be followed?

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Spoiltforchoice

#89477

Implementing Standards and Requirements within a CM - When is too much? | 1 June, 2023

most, possibly all of our clients, don't specify this kind of thing even when they are in fields where you might expect they should and should be aware of them. However if you cherry pick a couple of class 2 requirements such as offset and joint width, if your effective standard continuously just barely met those conditions, most clients that looked at that joint would say it wasn't good enough. I think that's fair enough really 50% of a lead off the pad looks like garbage, points to issues in your setup or equipment, and you shouldn't be happy with that result. If they don't specify a standard its probably wise to point them at the spec and say read this, this is the guide we will follow.

On the cleaning side, they have to specify it in detail.

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calebcSMT

#89478

Implementing Standards and Requirements within a CM - When is too much? | 2 June, 2023

Totally agreed regarding underlying issues if we were continuously on the edge of defects. I think the question for me becomes, when a customer isn't specifying requirements or any particulars: at what point is reworking pointless/waste of time & money vs actually being required? At which point are you doing things that -- though, by the book might be ideal or most suitable for reliability -- would be actually useless or not expected based on the customer not specifying in the first place/knowing?

If there is no specified spec, is that standard up to the MFG in essence? To your point - of course, as the CM you would not want to be on edge of defects, but is it truly up to the CM in the first place to determine what is being considered defects -- whether that being based on the J-STD or some internal procedure? And the I suppose that would be what the CM references if asked about what procedures are being followed...

Lastly, regarding cleaning: if a customer requested "clean boards", let's say because flux was disrupting their test jig probes, but didn't actually have anything to do with reliability or such: what would you be cleaning a board based on? Is it expected to be told a particularly requirement when it comes to cleaning, like required SIR result or such?

Would it be normal practice for the CM to be asking all these questions prior to assembly, to ensure? But again, at what point is the CM opening a can of worms perhaps now making requirements/brining attention to items that may have not been a concern in the first place....

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MagyarT

#89485

Implementing Standards and Requirements within a CM - When is too much? | 2 June, 2023

"If for example a customer requested assemblies but never specified their requirements, would MFGs be expected/required to follow parameters from a specific class related to the end use of said product?"

Answer: The customer placed an order with you, they expect good and working products. Full stop. You as a CM should have told the customer that you are adhering to a minimum of IPC Class 2 standard (if this is your minimum standard in your company), to avoid any non-constructive discussions and to protect you reputation. If they want their products of Class 3, or have any exceptions/deviations from Class 2, definitely add it to an annex in the contract for your protection if it is costing you more to make them.

To answer your specific question "at what point is reworking pointless/waste of time & money vs actually being required" - if your good practices match IPC Class 2, but the product is not matching parameters at inspection and/or testing, you should rework it. As previously mentioned, your reputation is at stake.

Regarding cleaning, if they expect just clean boards, I would make them and pack them so no foreign object debris would affect the product's functionality at their site.

Regards, Tamas

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