The EN 16602-70-12 has just been released. The title of this standard is “Space product assurance. Design rules for printed circuit boards.” It is a European standard, developed to be use with space projects that are in conformance with ECSS-S-ST-00. The new 176-page publication is available from Document Center Inc. in a number of national editions.
The EN 16602-70-12 is the equivalent of the ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) Q ST 170-12C. The ECSS is part of the ESA, European Space Agency. As I noted the other day, there are numerous standards projects both in the works and recently published. They are being released in a number of jurisdictions, particularly at the International level and in the EU.
The standard “specifies the requirements for the supplier and PCB manufacturer for PCB design. [It] is applicable for all types of PCBs, including sequential, rigid and flexible PCBs, HDI and RF PCBs.”
The publication references a wide variety of ECSS specifications, as well as 3 IPC standards. It has the usual scope, referenced documents, and definitions sections. Then it covers basic principles, like what is a qualified PCB, manufacturing tolerances, and reliability. Detailed requirements follow from there.
One interesting feature of EN 16602-70-12 is that it can apply to other products combining mechanical and electrical functionality using additive or reductive manufacturing processes, similar to that used in PCB manufacturing. These might be products like slip rings and bus bars. The Annexes A to G are also quite useful. Annex G, for example, is a prototype MRR checklist. Annex F has information on the prevention of resin starvation and cracks. And a 22-item bibliography completes the document.
You have a number of choices when it comes to purchasing your EN publications. Here at Document Center Inc., they’re listed in our online catalog, www.document-center.com. That’s where you’ll search for and order the standards you need. Here is a link to the order page for the BS EN 16602-70-12 for your convenience. Check in with our staff for other national edition options. You can reach us by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).
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