ICE 4M ASSESSMENT

GENERIC ACHIEVEMENT CHART FOR APPLICATION ASPECTS OF PROJECTS FOR ICE 4M

	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 2	LEVEL 3	LEVEL 4
APPLICATION Proficiency Creating PCB's & Hardware	Building of Hardware is well Underway	Level 1 + Hardware is Complete , Errors or Bugs are Identified Through Troubleshooting	Level 1 + 2 + Hardware has been Built, Tested and Problems Resolved	Level 1&2&3+ Hardware is of Exceptional Quality

Indicators

Level 1

• Steps for building a PCB include
  • Layout on CAD
  • Print on Paper and Check Cad Layout Against Circuit Diagram
  • Print on Blue Paper
  • Cut and Polish Copper
  • Laminate
  • Etch
  • Drill
  • Solder
  • Test

Level 2

• At any stage it may be realized that there is a problem. This is often discovered at the final test.
• It is often required to troubleshoot by checking
  • physical connections on the PCBs and solder joints for unexpected open or short circuits
  • rechecking the logic of the layout to be sure the circuit matches the circuit diagram
  • checking the orientation and value of electronic components
  • function of components
• If errors or faults have been found it is required to fix or restart the project.

Level 3

• The circuit must work.
• Quality of the final product should be to an acceptable Standard
  • size
    • efficient use of the space on the PCB
  • Neatness; balance, circuit appears "clean" and professional
    • components appear well spaced
  • line layout; efficiency, thickness, spacing, minimum of jumper wires
    • wire traces have appropriate thickness and spacing
  • part mounting
    • components are well mounted
  • access to controls (switches etc.)
    • controls are readily accessible
  • input - output locations
    • input and output appropriately located
  • proper identification
    • the PCBs should be identified with
      • your name or a logo representation identifying yourself
      • the date
      • the filename of the cad file which produced the PCBs
  • quality and number of fixes
    • repairs should be completed in the cleanest way practicable
  • quality of solder joints
    • solder joints should be
      • shiny
      • have a tear drop shape
      • be free of voids
  • general workmanship
    • the final board should reflect a high level of care used in its fabrication
      • square corners
      • minimal number of of nicks, scratches, superfluous holes, oversize holes, other markings, etc.

Level 4

• Some qualities which may define a PCB as exceptional are
  • size
    • optimal use of space on the PCB
  • Neatness; balance, circuit appears "clean" and professional
    • components appear well spaced and aligned
    • large empty areas filled in black
  • line layout; efficiency, thickness, spacing, minimum of jumper wires
    • wire traces have rounded corners, are even in thickness (where appropriate) and are appropriately spaced.
  • part mounting
    • components "lay down" and do not expose long bare leads
  • provision for heat sink (if applicable)
  • access to controls (switches etc.)
    • controls are easily reached and the function is intuitive
  • input - output locations
    • input and output are easily reached, located appropriately, and intuitive as to the function
  • logical location and orientation of components
    • the location of the components should follow logically the schematic or be placed in such a way that the connection between the components is easily followed
    • the orientation should reduce the connection complexity
  • proper identification
    • the PCBs should be identified with
      • your name or a logo representation identifying yourself
      • the date
      • the filename of the cad file which produced the PCBs
    • the identification marks should be easily read and optimally use space
  • quality and number of fixes
    • there should be minimal number of obvious repairs if any at all
  • quality of solder joints
    • solder joints should be
      • shiny
      • have a tear drop shape
      • be free of voids
    • soldering should be consistent through out the board
  • general workmanship
    • the final board should look professional
      • square corners
      • free of nicks, scratches, superfluous holes, oversize holes, other markings, etc.