What is your IPC grade standard for flex circuit boards?

What is Your IPC Grade Standard for Flexible Circuit Boards?

IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits) is a global organization that sets industry standards for designing, producing, and ensuring the quality of electronic equipment, including printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flexible PCBs (FPCs). These standards are critical for maintaining consistency, reliability, and performance in the electronics manufacturing industry.

Why IPC Standards Matter for Flexible PCB

IPC standards cover various aspects, such as material selection, design guidelines, assembly processes, and inspection criteria. These guidelines help manufacturers meet stringent performance and durability requirements for electronic products, ensuring high-quality and reliable systems. Some of the most common IPC standards include:

IPC-6012: For rigid PCBs.

IPC-6013: For flexible PCBs.

IPC-A-610: For soldered electronic assemblies.

IPC Levels for FPCs: How They Impact Your Products

IPC Level 1 products: General electronic products such as flashlights, toys, remote controls, etc., which usually do not require high-quality circuit boards and have relatively short lifespans.  

IPC Level 2 products: Dedicated service electronic products, including communication equipment, complex industrial and commercial equipment, and high-performance, long- life measuring instruments. These products should not fail under normal usage conditions.

IPC Level 3 products: High-performance electronic products, including military, civil, and aerospace equipment designed for continuous operation, high reliability, and long life. These products absolutely must not experience failures during use and must ensure reliable startup and operation even in harsh environments, such as medical lifesaving equipment, aerospace equipment, and all military equipment systems.  

Why Choosing the Right IPC Level Matters

Some electronics manufacturers only have the capability to produce IPC Level 1 products. While differences may not be apparent in the short term, quality issues tend to emerge over time.  

Below, the editor has organized some common FPC parameter levels according to IPC standards, which will help you quickly assess the quality of circuit boards. It is highly recommended to save this for reference!  

Flexible Circuit Board IPC Grade Standards

When you receive a board, if you are unsure about the acceptance and judgment standards, you can quickly determine whether the circuit board meets the IPC Level 2 standard by comparing it with the parameters listed above.

Additionally, JLCPCB strictly adheres to IPC Level 2 and higher standards for FPC production. If you have production needs for FPC flexible boards, you can experience at JLC