This 2-day practical training equips electronics operators and inspectors with the essential skills to evaluate soldering quality based on the IPC-A-610 standard. Participants will learn to identify acceptable and defective solder joints for both through-hole and SMT components, understand common defect causes, and apply Class 2 visual inspection criteria confidently in real-world production settings. The course includes hands-on activities, visual tools, and trainer demonstrations to reinforce proper handling, ESD precautions, and workstation discipline. By aligning daily practices with IPC standards, this training helps reduce defects, improve inspection consistency, and boost product quality. A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion. This HRD Corp (HRDC) Claimable Course (Previously Known as SBL-Khas) Is Delivered by a Penang-Based Training Provider Registered with HRD Corp (Formerly Known as HRDF), Specializing in Corporate Skills Development and Workforce Upskilling Across Malaysia. 100% HRD Corp Claimable | Penang Training Provider | Corporate Training Malaysia
DAY 1
Module 1: Introduction to IPC-A-610
Q&A Icebreaker – Trainer asks simple, engaging questions:
“What do you think IPC stands for?”
“Have you ever seen a soldering defect?”
“If a product fails, whose fault is it usually – machine, human, or material?”
What is IPC and why it matters
Overview of IPC-A-610 structure
Understanding Product Classifications (Class 1, 2, 3)
Importance of standards for product reliability
Open discussion to encourage curiosity and real-life sharing
Pre-Test Quiz: 10 visual-based questions to check current understanding
Activity: Product Class Match
Match everyday product images (e.g., toys, smartphones, medical tools) to the correct IPC class.
Module 2: Component Types & Handling Basics
Identifying common electronic components
ESD precautions and correct handling
Operator responsibilities at the workstation
Activity: Sort & Place
Participants sort images or real components into:
Passive / Active / Connector categories
Correct vs Incorrect handling (gloves, wrist strap, etc.)
Lunch
Module 3: Soldering Criteria for Through-Hole Components
What a good through-hole solder joint looks like
Common defects and their causes
Visual accept/reject criteria
Activity: Draw the Joint
Participants view bad solder joint photos and draw the correct version on printed diagrams.
Module 4: Soldering Criteria for SMT (Surface Mount Technology)
Types of SMT components: chip, gull-wing, J-lead
Proper placement, solder fillet
Typical SMT defects: tombstone, bridge, misalignment
Activity: Spot the SMT Issue
Each group receives printed SMT images and circles defects with markers. Class shares answers.
Wrap-Up & Recap
Day 1 summary: What we learned
Key terms recap: solder fillet, wetting, lead protrusion
Short Q&A session
DAY 2
Module 5: Common Solder Defects & Root Causes
Common soldering problems: cold joints, bridges, opens, tombstones
Why they happen: temperature, technique, contamination
IPC acceptability visuals
Activity: Defect Detective
Groups inspect printed images and complete a worksheet:
Defect Name → Cause → Acceptable or Not?
Module 6: Accept or Reject?
How to decide using IPC-A-610 criteria
Focus on Class 2 inspections
Making fast, correct decisions on the production line
Activity: Inspector’s Table
Participants rotate between stations, inspect mock samples or images, and record pass/fail on checklist.
Lunch
Module 7: Tools, Techniques & Documentation
Use of magnifiers, lighting, visual guides
Completing simple checklists or tagging defects
Referring to visual standards when unsure
Activity: See What I See
Participants view board photos or real boards with magnifiers and explain what they see and why it’s OK or not.
Module 8: Workplace Discipline & Visual Standard Compliance
What are visual standards and why they matter
Importance of clean and organized workstations
Following SOPs and checklists
Operator responsibility in teamwork and quality
Activity: Find the Mistake
Trainer shows a photo of a messy or incorrect workstation. Participants work in pairs to spot and list mistakes (e.g., no gloves, clutter, wrong tool). Short discussion after.
Module 9: Final Assessment & Group Review
Practical inspection challenge (5 samples or images)
Participants explain their inspection decision (pass/fail)
Trainer provides feedback
Activity: Be the Inspector
Participants act as the line inspector for one board/image and explain decision to the class.
Closing & Certification
Post-test quiz (same as pre-test for comparison)
Group discussion: “What will you do differently starting tomorrow?”
Certificate distribution & group photo
