IPC-Association Connecting Electronics Industries has signed a three-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind.
The CRADA, signed by IPC President Denny McGuirk and NSWC Center Commander Captain Scott Wetter, will assist in strengthening the U.S. printed circuit board (PCB) industry and its ability to support military needs through research and education.
The goal of the program is to aid PCB manufacturing by researching state-of-the-art advances in design, development and manufacturing processes. NSWC Crane has a complete PCB manufacturing facility, comprehensive failure analysis lab, an environmental test and evaluation lab and extensive computer modeling capabilities to support this goal.
A special signing ceremony was held on October 5. In addition to McGuirk and Wetter, Indiana State Representative Peggy Welch, IPC Vice President of Technology, Standards and International Relations David Bergman, and NSWC Crane Executive Director Duane Embree, attended the festivities.
IPC is a US-based trade association dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its more than 2,800 member companies which represent all facets of the electronic interconnection industry, including design, printed wiring board manufacturing and electronics assembly. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of a $44 billion US industry employing more than 400,000 people.