Tom
02-28-2002, 09:25 PM
Hi All,
I just got back from a 4 day trip to Phoenix and the IPC Advanced Certification Course and Exam. IPC has risen the bar of our awareness of how far deep our creations go into the industry.
I have to admit that I failed the test (Over 50% failed), but I'm so glad I did. Sometimes we need to fail to realize that we need to study. Duh, as if that helps a 28 year veteran? Well in this case it does. I went into the course thinking I deserved to be a CID+ because I spent the past 28 years hooking components together with traces and I paid my dues. What I should have done is studied more. I mean after all, they did provide me with a study guide in both CD-ROM and book formats. The main point is that many people think they are senior PCB designers just because they've been shoving Gerber data and drill drawings out the door all their life. That really doesn't constitute a Senior PCB designer in 2002.
I feel bad about not passing the test, but I did not deserve to pass the test. PCB Designers need to know more about how much their PCB Design layouts impact all the processes in the creation of the product they are helping to create. We only play one small role in the entire process, but our role has a direct impact on all the other development processes. We play a key role in every electronic products success or failure and companies depend on us to produce the highest quality workmanship especially if we work at a service bureau.
Most fabrication and assembly shops do not have a communication process where they educate PCB Designers on how to accurately prepare data to make their processes run better. EE engineers often do not take the time to educate PCB Designers the terms and definitions that we need to know to help them achieve the best results. The big question is "I don't know why?" Even if college classes on PCB design existed, they would be a hassle to attend and I highly doubt that they would teach at the level of today's technological requirements. Glenn Wells, in Dallas, TX is on the right track with putting PCB Design classes On-Line with Collin County Community College - http://telecollege.dcccd.edu/Courses/Default.htm.
If a PCB Designer is not familiar and does not know the meaning of Dielectric Constant, EMI, Signal Integrity, Aspect Ratio, Transmission Line, Micro Strip, Propagation Time, Source/Termination, CTE, Tg, Capping/Plugging, ICT, Courtyard, Impedance, Capacitance, Cross Talk, HAST, Immersion, Electrolytic, Electroless, Prepreg, EMC a.d much more, then they should not stand behind the word "Senior" anymore. Even if you do not use Test Coupons in your PCB designs, you still should know what they are; how to use & create them, when you need them and where do they belong in the panel. Your next employer might require your knowledge and expertise in Test Coupons or worse yet, you really should be using them now with your current employer but you don't know. The bar is being raised.
I'm glad that IPC has taken the initiative to educate PCB Designers the things that we really need to know to improve our decision making processes in developing good PCB design layouts and documentation that will aid the manufacturing & assembly processes and meet the needs & expectations of the engineers that we work.
There are two tests, an "X & Y" test. I took the "X" test. Wow! Watch out for that one. I'm brave enough. I immediately signed up for the San Diego Exam next week. That will be the "Y" test. I get the honor to say I took both tests. The X & Y tests share 40 identical questions, but there are 80 different questions on each test. Passing score is 73% out of 120 questions. (If you get 33 answers incorrect you fail)
I must honestly say that "passing the test" doesn't necessarily make you a Senior PCB Designer. That comes with time, experience and passing the test helps. I'm also not insinuating that all those who fail or don't take the test are not Senior Level Designers. We all know whom we are and what we need to know and do to earn whatever title we give ourselves. My only insinuation is that if you think that you are a Senior Level PCB Designer, this IPC Advanced Exam is right up your alley. Studying to improve your knowledge base has many benefits and those who continually study will be tomorrow's leaders. Studying doesn't stop after the test is over. It never stops. That's one of the greatest things I love about this industry. Change is good and if you don't like change you're in the wrong profession.
Oh, by the way, I hope you're ready for Metrication because the entire course and exam are completely based on metric units. Inch dimensions are still available in brackets for those who haven't converted over yet.
I just got back from a 4 day trip to Phoenix and the IPC Advanced Certification Course and Exam. IPC has risen the bar of our awareness of how far deep our creations go into the industry.
I have to admit that I failed the test (Over 50% failed), but I'm so glad I did. Sometimes we need to fail to realize that we need to study. Duh, as if that helps a 28 year veteran? Well in this case it does. I went into the course thinking I deserved to be a CID+ because I spent the past 28 years hooking components together with traces and I paid my dues. What I should have done is studied more. I mean after all, they did provide me with a study guide in both CD-ROM and book formats. The main point is that many people think they are senior PCB designers just because they've been shoving Gerber data and drill drawings out the door all their life. That really doesn't constitute a Senior PCB designer in 2002.
I feel bad about not passing the test, but I did not deserve to pass the test. PCB Designers need to know more about how much their PCB Design layouts impact all the processes in the creation of the product they are helping to create. We only play one small role in the entire process, but our role has a direct impact on all the other development processes. We play a key role in every electronic products success or failure and companies depend on us to produce the highest quality workmanship especially if we work at a service bureau.
Most fabrication and assembly shops do not have a communication process where they educate PCB Designers on how to accurately prepare data to make their processes run better. EE engineers often do not take the time to educate PCB Designers the terms and definitions that we need to know to help them achieve the best results. The big question is "I don't know why?" Even if college classes on PCB design existed, they would be a hassle to attend and I highly doubt that they would teach at the level of today's technological requirements. Glenn Wells, in Dallas, TX is on the right track with putting PCB Design classes On-Line with Collin County Community College - http://telecollege.dcccd.edu/Courses/Default.htm.
If a PCB Designer is not familiar and does not know the meaning of Dielectric Constant, EMI, Signal Integrity, Aspect Ratio, Transmission Line, Micro Strip, Propagation Time, Source/Termination, CTE, Tg, Capping/Plugging, ICT, Courtyard, Impedance, Capacitance, Cross Talk, HAST, Immersion, Electrolytic, Electroless, Prepreg, EMC a.d much more, then they should not stand behind the word "Senior" anymore. Even if you do not use Test Coupons in your PCB designs, you still should know what they are; how to use & create them, when you need them and where do they belong in the panel. Your next employer might require your knowledge and expertise in Test Coupons or worse yet, you really should be using them now with your current employer but you don't know. The bar is being raised.
I'm glad that IPC has taken the initiative to educate PCB Designers the things that we really need to know to improve our decision making processes in developing good PCB design layouts and documentation that will aid the manufacturing & assembly processes and meet the needs & expectations of the engineers that we work.
There are two tests, an "X & Y" test. I took the "X" test. Wow! Watch out for that one. I'm brave enough. I immediately signed up for the San Diego Exam next week. That will be the "Y" test. I get the honor to say I took both tests. The X & Y tests share 40 identical questions, but there are 80 different questions on each test. Passing score is 73% out of 120 questions. (If you get 33 answers incorrect you fail)
I must honestly say that "passing the test" doesn't necessarily make you a Senior PCB Designer. That comes with time, experience and passing the test helps. I'm also not insinuating that all those who fail or don't take the test are not Senior Level Designers. We all know whom we are and what we need to know and do to earn whatever title we give ourselves. My only insinuation is that if you think that you are a Senior Level PCB Designer, this IPC Advanced Exam is right up your alley. Studying to improve your knowledge base has many benefits and those who continually study will be tomorrow's leaders. Studying doesn't stop after the test is over. It never stops. That's one of the greatest things I love about this industry. Change is good and if you don't like change you're in the wrong profession.
Oh, by the way, I hope you're ready for Metrication because the entire course and exam are completely based on metric units. Inch dimensions are still available in brackets for those who haven't converted over yet.