Solder Technician / Inspector - How to get Certified to NASA-STD-8739.3(.7)

[AngelaC]

I'm not sure I'm asking in the correct forum...

I have a couple repair techs that we'd like to get certified to NASA-STD-8739.3(.7) for soldering. Plus we'd like to get one certified as an inspector.

I did a web search and found that Honeywell-TSI in Maryland offers courses. However, our cal lab is in the Seattle area, so I'd like to find something closer.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to educate myself on how to get solder techs certified?

[An even nicer (less expensive) alternative would be somebody that offers certification without attendence at a course. Both of the guys were miniature/microminiature qualified when they were in the Navy.

Thanks,
Angela

[Jim Howe]

Originally Posted by AngelaC

I'm not sure I'm asking in the correct forum...

I have a couple repair techs that we'd like to get certified to NASA-STD-8739.3(.7) for soldering. Plus we'd like to get one certified as an inspector.

I did a web search and found that Honeywell-TSI in Maryland offers courses. However, our cal lab is in the Seattle area, so I'd like to find something closer.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to educate myself on how to get solder techs certified?

[An even nicer (less expensive) alternative would be somebody that offers certification without attendence at a course. Both of the guys were miniature/microminiature qualified when they were in the Navy.


Thanks,
Angela

In the old days we sent our people to China Lake, Calf. (for Navy spec's), or to Redstone Arsenal, Ala. (for Army spec's). I do not know if these two facilities are still in business.
Now a days I believe its all IPC solder specs. I was not aware that NASA still maintained there own standards and specs.
I do not know of anyone who offers certification without training. The courses at China Lake and Redstone were a minimum of 2 weeks and I believe it was 4 weeks for instructor.
We would send two or three folks to be trained and certified as solder instructors and then have them return and conduct the courses in house. If I am not mistaken, the certification was good for 1 year and a follow-up course each year was required for recertification as well as an eye exam. Operators required 40 hours and inspectors needed 80 hours.
After the instructors certified our solder operators and inspectors they would be on call to resolve any disputes.
I realize that this isn't exactly what you were looking for but I thought some background info might help.

ADD: I forgot to mention that the sum of these courses was the completion of a "SOLDER SAMPLE". each student had to solder up a pc board to demonstrate their knowledge and techniques. This board was identified with their name and Stamp and kept by the instructor. Should an auditor ever question the validity of the certifications the instructor would pull the individuals "solder sample".

[Al Rosen]

Originally Posted by AngelaC

I'm not sure I'm asking in the correct forum...

I have a couple repair techs that we'd like to get certified to NASA-STD-8739.3(.7) for soldering. Plus we'd like to get one certified as an inspector.

I did a web search and found that Honeywell-TSI in Maryland offers courses. However, our cal lab is in the Seattle area, so I'd like to find something closer.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to educate myself on how to get solder techs certified?

[An even nicer (less expensive) alternative would be somebody that offers certification without attendence at a course. Both of the guys were miniature/microminiature qualified when they were in the Navy.

Thanks,
Angela

Hi Angela, welcome to the cove.

From the standard:

5.7 Training Resources
1. Training of Level B instructors is available at either the Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC) or Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The NASA Generic Soldered Electrical Connections
Training Plan will be supplied to instructors at the time of course completion.
a. GSFC Training Center
Code 300.1
Greenbelt, MD 20771
(301)731-8632
FAX (301)731-8628

b. JPL Training Center
MS83-204
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
(818)354-6730
FAX (818)393-0090

2. Suppliers may train operator or inspector personnel in-house for certification or
recertification using certified instructors and approved soldering training programs, or arrange for
this training at one of the NASA-conducted schools.

3. A fee is required. Contact either training center for information.

Contact the JPL in Pasadena. You might want to train one of your guys as an instructor, then he can train anyone.

Also see this ***DEAD LINK REMOVED*** soldering instruction procedure, it may come in handy some day.

[AngelaC]

Originally Posted by Jim Howe

Now a days I believe its all IPC solder specs. I was not aware that NASA still maintained there own standards and specs.

uhhh, I wasn't especially aware that NASA standards were current; I was in the information-seeking phase. And I must admit I'd never heard of IPC until you mentioned it here. (...whereupon I scampered around Google until I found the IPC website.) The 7711/7721 Rework and Repair looks promising. Are there any other "bodies" that give their blessing to a repair technician's solder skills?

Originally Posted by Jim Howe

I do not know of anyone who offers certification without training. The courses at China Lake and Redstone were a minimum of 2 weeks and I believe it was 4 weeks for instructor.

I can't see much point in sending them to a military school, because they've already been there while they were "in." I'm not sure what is offered to civilians, but the two Navy courses for technicians cover generic soldering skills in the first course and SMT, multi-board layer repair, etc. in the second course.

Certification without training (perhaps something like skill testing) was a pipe dream on my part. I wasn't really expecting that such an animal exists. (Afterall, people who certify have to put food on the table too.)

Originally Posted by Jim Howe

I realize that this isn't exactly what you were looking for but I thought some background info might help.

The background information is indeed helpful. Thank you.

[AngelaC]

Originally Posted by Al Rosen

Hi Angela, welcome to the cove.
Contact the JPL in Pasadena. You might want to train one of your guys as an instructor, then he can train anyone.

Thank you Al. I called the Pasadena location (and did the voice mail thingie.) After reading Al's response, I'm not sure which is the best option.

[Jim Howe]

Originally Posted by AngelaC

uhhh, I wasn't especially aware that NASA standards were current; I was in the information-seeking phase. And I must admit I'd never heard of IPC until you mentioned it here. (...whereupon I scampered around Google until I found the IPC website.) The 7711/7721 Rework and Repair looks promising. Are there any other "bodies" that give their blessing to a repair technician's solder skills?


I can't see much point in sending them to a military school, because they've already been there while they were "in." I'm not sure what is offered to civilians, but the two Navy courses for technicians cover generic soldering skills in the first course and SMT, multi-board layer repair, etc. in the second course.

Certification without training (perhaps something like skill testing) was a pipe dream on my part. I wasn't really expecting that such an animal exists. (Afterall, people who certify have to put food on the table too.)




The background information is indeed helpful. Thank you.

Your welcome! Good luck to you!

PS. I was also trained in USNavy schools but the sites I mentioned, including the IPC is IMHO a step above!

[Al Rosen]

Originally Posted by AngelaC

Thank you Al. I called the Pasadena location (and did the voice mail thingie.) After reading Al's response, I'm not sure which is the best option.

You might call the local section of the ASQ and find out if they have some training/certification program, mine does. If not, maybe there is a member in the section that is a certified IPC instructor who would be willing to do some work on the side to test and if necessary train and certify. Just a thought.

[e006823]

NASA workmanship standards are current. NASA was intending to go to the J-std-001 for workmanship, but has since reversed that decision. If you are doing any work for a NASA related contract then you should be certified to the NASA standard.


If the requirement is J-Std-001 then look at the IPC training. If the training is just for employee skill improvement I'd say that the NASA training is superior (I have successfully completed both).

Bob