“Many companies take pride in how many IPC Certified Specialists they have on staff and this event is a fun and friendly way to give them an opportunity to let their staff shine,” says Kris Roberson, IPC manager of assembly technology.
IPC Master Instructors will judge assemblies on soldering in accordance with IPC-A-610E, overall electrical functionality of assembly and the speed at which the assembly was produced.
In addition to pocketing a cash prize of $500, the winner will own bragging rights as the Best Hand-Soldering Technician in the West. Prizes of $250 and $100 will be awarded to two runners up.
The winner of the IPC APEX EXPO competition will then go head-to-head with Nichole DeVries, CIT, an instructor with Raven Industries, in the IPC HAND SOLDERING GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP on March 1.
DeVries won the IPC Midwest competition in September 2011. In addition to pocketing a cash prize of $1,000, the winner will own bragging rights as the IPC Hand Soldering Grand Champion.
IPC APEX EXPO Hand Soldering Competition entries will be accepted until December 31, 2011. Competitors will be selected from all submitted entries. Competition spots will be announced and the competitors notified by e-mail on or before January 15, 2012.