IPC’s Hand Soldering Competition at SMT Hybrid Packaging 2017 will see skilled competitors go soldering iron to soldering iron, May 16-18, as they compete for cash prizes and a coveted spot at the IPC Hand Soldering World Championship located in Munich, Germany, this November.

Hand soldering of high density printed boards demands highly skilled operators to ensure a zero-defect soldering process, and this contest — IPC’s annual competition at SMT Hybrid Packaging — will recognize the best skills in hand soldering complex printed board assemblies. Over three days, participants will compete against each other to build a functional electronics assembly within a 60-minute time limit. Assemblies will be judged on soldering in accordance with IPC-A-610F Class 3 criteria, the speed at which the assembly was produced and overall electrical functionality of the assembly. IPC-A-610 Master Instructors will serve as judges.

The IPC Hand Soldering Competition winner and two runners-up will each earn cash prizes: 1st place — €300; 2nd place — €200; 3rd place — €100. In addition, the first-place winner will earn a chance to compete against the best hand soldering technicians from around the world at the IPC Hand Soldering World Championship, located in Munich, Germany, this November.

For more information, prospective competitors can contact Lars Wallin, IPC European Representative. On-site registration is possible if there is space available.

IPC