Dec 01, 2015 A record number of 47 European competitors went soldering iron to soldering iron at IPC’s Hand Soldering Competition at productronica 2015, November 10–13 in Munich. Taking first place with a score of 501 points out of a maximum 506, was Jacek Majchrzak, ParterTech Poland. Majchrzak was also crowned first place winner at productronica 2013.
For his nearly flawless efforts, Marchrzak earned a cash prize of €300, a hand soldering station from JBC Tools and a coveted spot at the IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at IPC APEX EXPO 2016 in Las Vegas.
With a score of 496, second place and a cash prize of €200 went to Michal Raus, RealTime Technologies; Christian Vodermaier, Avantest Europe GmbH, took third place and a cash prize of €100, with his score of 492.
Participants in the hand soldering competition were tasked with building a functional electronics assembly within a 60-minute time limit. A panel of independent MIT (Master IPC Trainer) judges from IFTEC and PIEK International Education Centre evaluated each assembly based on workmanship, overall functionality, compliance with IPC-A-610F Class 3 criteria and speed of completion.
According to David Bergman, IPC vice president of international relations, 15 of the 47 competitors built a functional board within the stipulated time limit. “Judges and the large number of spectators got a first-hand look at the best hand solder talent in Europe,” Bergman said. “The competition was a great success and we plan to host more of these competitions across the globe in 2016.”
Bergman added. “IPC thanks hand soldering Gold Sponsors: JBC Tools, PACE Worldwide and Weller Tools GmbH; Silver Sponsors: Almit GmbH, Balver Zinn GmbH and Elmatica AS; Bronze Sponsors: ETEK Europe, IFTEC, PIEK International Education Centre and Optilia Instruments AB; contest contributor sponsor Microsolder Kft., and Messe München International for their support of the IPC Hand Soldering Competition at productronica 2015.”
For information on upcoming IPC Hand Soldering Competitions, visit www.ipc.org/hsc.
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and 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. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Suzhou and Beijing, China.
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