PIEK International Education Centre (I.E.C.)

08/06/2026

A birthday is more than just a celebration, it is a moment that helps children feel seen, valued, and included.

PIEK Training is proud to support Stichting Jarige Job, which helps children from families facing financial challenges celebrate their birthday with dignity and joy.

By supporting initiatives like this, we hope to contribute to stronger self-confidence and brighter opportunities for children.

Read more about our support for Stichting Jarige Job:
https://piekblog.com/en/piek-training-supports-stichting-jarige-job-investing-in-childrens-self-confidence/

18/05/2026

What does quality really mean in today’s electronics industry?

In this interview, Neil Edwards from Metcal talks about soldering quality, operator training, industry standards, and the challenges manufacturers face as electronics continue to evolve.

An interesting read for anyone working in electronics production, repair, inspection, or IPC training.

Read the full interview here:
https://piekblog.com/en/interview-with-neil-edwards-metcal-quality-as-a-key-in-the-electronics-industry/

17/04/2026

We’re excited to be part of the Smans Electronics Pro Expo 2026!

It’s a great opportunity to connect with professionals from across the electronics industry, share insights, and build strong partnerships.

Want to know more? Read all about it here:
https://piekblog.com/en/piek-at-the-smans-electronics-pro-expo-2026/

13/04/2026

Trust in the supply chain does not happen by chance.

It grows when your team can show clear standards, controlled processes and traceable quality from quotation to audit. That is exactly where recognised IPC certifications can make a real difference.

Want to see how this strengthens both quality and customer confidence?

Read the full article here: https://piekblog.com/en/building-trust-in-the-supply-chain-from-quotation-to-audit/

23/03/2026

🌍 “Made in China” — does history repeat itself?

Did you know that “Made in Germany” was once used to label products as inferior? Today, it’s a symbol of quality.

Now we’re seeing a similar shift with Chinese manufacturing. With better technology, automation and growing quality awareness, the gap is closing fast — and in some cases even surpassing expectations.

👉 Could “Made in China” become the new benchmark for quality?

Read the full article here:
https://piekblog.com/en/made-in-china-does-history-repeats-itself/

💬 What’s your view on this shift?

Made in China, a term that for many years stood for products of inferior quality. Consumer electronics, electronic toys, not products that you could expect to have a long life. Warranty until ……, well actually not at all. Made in China, a term once coined by Japan to indicate the inferior qualit...

09/02/2026

🎓 Reliability in the air starts at the workbench!
Every drone that takes off depends on hundreds of electronic components and connections, and in aviation-grade systems, reliability isn’t optional, it’s essential.

That’s where IPC standards and professional training come in. From design rules to quality acceptance criteria, proper training ensures safer and more dependable electronics, ready for real-world conditions like vibration, temperature changes and moisture.

👉 Curious how reliability begins in the workshop? Read more here:
https://piekblog.com/en/reliability-in-the-air-starts-at-the-workbench/

09/02/2026

🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation & Reliability with Almit Germany!

For 25 years, Almit Germany has been a leader in soldering materials and technology, known for quality, innovation and close collaboration with customers in electronics, automotive and industrial sectors.

From pioneering product development to long-standing partnerships, including years of cooperation with PIEK, Almit continues to drive forward with passion and vision.

👉 Learn more about this milestone and what it means for the future:
https://piekblog.com/en/almit-germany-celebrates-25-years-of-innovation-and-reliability/

💬 Congratulations, Almit! Here’s to the next 25 years! 🥂

09/02/2026

🎓 The PIEK Training Calendar 2026 is online!

Planning your training for next year?
In 2026, PIEK offers a broad selection of regional and online trainings, including IPC certifications, rework & repair, and recertifications.

🌍 Trainings in the Netherlands & Germany
📍 New location: Soltau (DE)

👉 Check the full calendar and book your training:
https://piektraining.com/en/training-calendar/

24/01/2024

Solder balls on the PCB, are they allowed?

The IPC-A-610H states that solder balls are acceptable for all product classes provided they are entrapped or encapsulated e.g. in no-clean flux residue, under conformal coating, soldered to a metal surface, enclosed under the solder mask or under a component.

Solder balls that can get loose by vibration in their environment of use, that are not encapsulated or that are loose are a defect for all product classes. They must be removed, otherwise an electrical short (short circuit/bridge) may occur. Read more:

Solder balls that can get loose by vibration, that are not encapsulated or that are loose are a defect for all product classes.

07/11/2023

IPC invites you to join the Germany Contest of the IPC Hand Soldering Competition (HSC) held at productronica (IPC Booth A4.502) – Messe Muenchen in Munich from 14 & 15 November 2023. Register now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbLNI51wOwQFkgYV53K08QHzrl2e6S6Wk-eBKnkdYa8vOaZA/viewform