Rigid Flex PCB Jobs

Rigid Flex PCB Jobs

Rigid flex circuit boards are used across multiple industries in applications that require a combination of flexibility and space efficiency. They can be found in military equipment, aircraft instrumentation, medical implants and other devices that demand a highly adaptable circuitry solution. They can also be found in many commercial products that require a flexible component with a rigid structure, such as laptops and tablets.

One of the key advantages of rigid flex is its ability to withstand harsh environments. This is due to its strong, rigid outer shell that protects the flexible inner core. This helps to minimize the effects of heat, radiation, vibration and shock that can damage the delicate electronic components inside. Rigid flex PCBs can be produced with a wide variety of materials to meet the unique needs of each application. These include FR-4, Polyimide, and metal.

Another advantage of rigid flex is that it offers the flexibility to fit into tight spaces and complex geometries. This can help to reduce the overall size of a product. It can also allow for better cable routing and eliminate the need for a wire harness that can add weight and cost to a finished product. This can help to streamline assembly and reduce the chance of mistakes that can result in costly rework.

Rigid Flex PCB Jobs

The design of a rigid flex pcb requires special considerations to ensure the longevity of the product. It is important to avoid stress points on the board, which can cause traces to break or crack during bending. This can be done by ensuring that traces have a smooth transition from wide to narrow. Abrupt changes in width can create stress points that can lead to failure. A recommended approach is to use a fillet or hatched polygon to connect traces and make them more resilient against bending.

When designing a flex PCB, it is also necessary to ensure that the copper is plated with sufficient thickness to support high-speed signals. It is also a good idea to use rounded corners on the board, which will increase the strength of the pads and prevent them from tearing. In addition, the traces should be routed perpendicular to the bend line, which will eliminate stress points and keep the flex circuits from breaking or cracking.

In addition to these design considerations, it is a good idea to incorporate stiffeners into the rigid flex PCB. These are pieces of rigid material that are added to selected areas of the flex circuit. They can be made from FR-4 or metal (not specified in the PCBWay calculator).

Rigid flex is a great choice for many applications, especially those that need to accommodate a large amount of data. Its flexible and thin layers can fit into a small space, while providing the necessary support for the components inside. It can also be manufactured with a variety of conductor materials, including aluminum, electrodeposited (ED) copper, and rolled annealed (RA) copper. It is also possible to use conductive inks and silver ink on rigid flex.