Why Standards Matter
A PCBA manufacturer can tell you they "build quality boards." But quality without a reference is just an opinion. Industry standards turn quality from a claim into a verifiable, auditable, repeatable promise.
At Superb Automation, our PCBA workshop is built around a set of 13 industry standards that govern every step of the process — from bare PCB acceptance to final shipment. These standards define what we measure, how we measure it, and what passes versus what fails.
This page serves as the index to our Quality Standards documentation. Each standard has its own detailed article explaining what it covers, how we implement it, and what it means for your boards. We do not currently hold formal third-party certifications (ISO, AS, IATF), but our processes are designed to meet the technical requirements of these standards. We are transparent about this — so you can evaluate our quality system on its merits, not on a certificate on the wall.
Standards by Process Stage
Incoming Material
| # | Standard | Full Name | What It Governs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | IPC-6012 | Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards | Bare PCB acceptance — defines what makes a PCB "good" before we touch it |
| 05 | IPC-A-600 | Acceptability of Printed Boards | Visual acceptance criteria for bare PCBs — the inspector's guide |
| 11 | J-STD-020 / 033 | Moisture/Reflow Sensitivity Classification + Handling | Moisture-sensitive component (MSL) classification, floor life, and baking |
Process & Assembly
| # | Standard | Full Name | What It Governs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | IPC J-STD-001 | Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies | Soldering process — materials, methods, and verification |
| 06 | SAC305 + M24AQ | Lead-Free Solder Alloy + Material Sourcing | Solder composition and original manufacturer traceability |
| 07 | Nitrogen Reflow | Inert Atmosphere Reflow Soldering | Oxygen-controlled reflow for improved wetting and reduced oxidation |
| 13 | IPC-7525 | Stencil Design Guidelines | Solder paste stencil aperture design — width/thickness ratios, area ratios |
| 10 | IPC-7095 | Design and Assembly Process Implementation for BGAs | BGA design rules, assembly process, void criteria, inspection |
Acceptance & Inspection
| # | Standard | Full Name | What It Governs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | IPC-A-610 Class 2/3 | Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies | Solder joint acceptance — the universal visual standard |
Protection & Cleanliness
| # | Standard | Full Name | What It Governs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | IPC-CC-830 | Qualification and Performance of Electrical Insulating Compound (Conformal Coating) | Conformal coating material qualification and performance |
| 08 | ESD S20.20 | Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts from Electrostatic Discharge | ESD control program — flooring, grounding, ionization, handling |
Reliability & Rework
| # | Standard | Full Name | What It Governs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | IPC-9701 | Performance Test Methods for Solder Joint Reliability | Thermal cycling test methods for solder joint reliability |
| 12 | IPC-7711/7721 | Rework, Modification and Repair of Electronic Assemblies | How to correctly fix a defect without creating new ones |
How to Read These Articles
Each standard article follows a consistent structure:
What the standard is — the official scope and purpose, in plain language
Why it matters to your boards — the real-world consequences of not following it
How Superb implements it — specific equipment, procedures, and acceptance criteria we use
The customer takeaway — what you should look for when evaluating a PCBA partner against this standard
We do not claim formal certification to standards unless explicitly stated. What we do claim is that our processes, equipment, training, and acceptance criteria are designed to meet the technical requirements of every standard listed here.
Quick Reference — Which Standard Applies to Your Product?
| Your Product Type | Applicable Standards |
|---|---|
| Consumer electronics | IPC-A-610 Class 2, J-STD-001, SAC305, ESD S20.20 |
| Industrial controls | IPC-A-610 Class 2, J-STD-001, SAC305, ESD S20.20, IPC-9701 (optional) |
| Automotive (non-safety) | IPC-A-610 Class 2, J-STD-001, SAC305, ESD S20.20, IPC-9701, IPC-CC-830 (optional) |
| Automotive (safety-critical) | IPC-A-610 Class 3, J-STD-001 Class 3, SAC305, ESD S20.20, IPC-9701 (500+ cycles), IPC-7095, IPC-CC-830 |
| Medical devices | IPC-A-610 Class 3, J-STD-001 Class 3, SAC305, ESD S20.20, IPC-CC-830, ionic contamination testing |
| Aerospace / Defense | IPC-A-610 Class 3, J-STD-001 Class 3, SAC305, ESD S20.20, IPC-9701 (1000+ cycles), IPC-7095, IPC-CC-830 |
| High-density (BGA/QFN) | All of the above + IPC-7095 + 3D X-ray inspection |
| High-impedance / low-leakage | All applicable + ionic contamination (ROSE testing) |
Browse individual standard articles below for full technical details.
