Flex and Rigid Flex

Flexible Circuit Boards Manufacturer

For Flex and Rigid Flex, Flex PCBs (Flexible Printed Circuit Boards) are the printed circuit boards that are bendable, either bent once. Their installation process is like those in a miniature camera, or bent multiple times (even continuously) like those in an inkjet printer.

Flex PCBs can be single-sided, double-sided, or multi-layered. They can have stiffeners to provide areas of non-flexing. Or, they can be part of a rigid-flexible assembly to allow a rigid PCB to be bent on assembly.

Flexible PCB Uses

Reducing both labor cost and assembly size, flexible PCBs are used increasingly in electronic assemblies. Some of the uses for flexible PCBs:

Automobiles
Cameras
Cell Phones
Military Electronics
Avionics
Computers
Tablets

Flex PCB Advantages

Flexible Printed Circuit Boards have advantages over rigid PCBs, ribbon cable, and discrete wiring:

Reduction in overall package size/weight
Fewer assembly errors
Increased reliability
Increased control of impedance/inductance
Improved heat dissipation
Allows for a 3-dimensional packaging scheme
Improves the appearance of the package

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Flex PCB Issues

Some of the main issues with Flex and Rigid Flex needs proper discussion. Where components are attach or where the flexible circuit board is to bent as it attaches to non-flexing circuits. For this, stiffeners is quite important. Nevertheless, it prevents damage to both the connections and the Flex PCB.

Flex and rigid Flex PCBs, by their nature, are made to odd shapes; they aren’t a convenient rectangle. After the manufacturing of Flex PCB ,it is imperative to route it. Additionally, it requires skiving, to shape it to fit. So,to make sure that the edges of the circuit traces are not damaging in the process of routing, take care of everything in layout and design stages. It helps to keep the circuit traces back from the edge.

When there will be continuous or dynamic flexing of the circuit material, special considerations are essential. On multi-layered Flex PCBs, this includes taking into account the number of layers while making sure that the conductors will not fatigue when the PCB is flexed.

Flexible printed circuit boards from RUSH PCB UK are designed and fabricated to the highest quality standards.

So, for more information about Flex PCBs, contact us at sales@rushpcb.uk or call 0203 750 0201.