Rigid-flex
PCBs are printed circuit boards highlighted by both rigid and flexible areas
that make them ideally suited for a wide range of applications. The typical
rigid-flex PCB circuit includes two or more conductive layers that comprise
either flexible or rigid insulation material between each one - the outer layers
may have either exposed pads or covers. Conductors are found on the rigid
layers, while plated through-holes are found in both the rigid and flexible
layers.
Rigid-flex
PCBs offer various benefits when used in small to large
industrial/commercial/domestic electronic systems. Rigid-flex PCBs are largely
chosen since:
- It gives you the flexibility to manufacture the board to fit into the device, rather than making a device considering the specifications of the board.
- It is lightweight and compact, hence, reduced packaging size.
- It can be designed to fit confined or smaller areas, contributing largely in product miniaturization. It can be bent and folded easily to fit perfectly into smaller devices.
- It is designed without solder joints, connectors, or contact crimps. This adds to its integrity and reliability when used in demanding applications.
- It integrates both rigid and flexible circuitry, hence a fewer number of interconnects, and reduced circuitry failure.
- It can withstand temperature extremes due to an exceptional thermal stability of polyimide used in the assembly. This superior feature makes it a reliable choice for military and defense applications.
- It requires fewer materials for the assembly. Hence, less manufacturing and material procurement cost.
- It exhibits excellent resistance to UV and radiation exposures, harsh chemicals, and oils.
- It is designed to be surface mounted easily on both sides.
- Rigid-Flex PCBs designed with varied material options and a myriad of layouts to meet the requirements of customers across industries.
- It can be robustly manufactured to withstand shock, vibrations, and other aggressive industrial conditions.
Owing to all
these aforementioned features, rigid-flex circuit boards are largely utilized
for applications in aerospace, manufacturing, construction, power generation,
consumer, and automotive sectors.
Application of Rigid-Flex PCB
Rigid-flexiblePCBs offer a wide array of applications, ranging from military weaponry and aerospace
systems to cell phones and digital cameras. Increasingly, rigid flex board
fabrication has been used in medical devices such as pacemakers for their space
and weight reduction capabilities. The same advantages for rigid-flex PCB usage
can be applied to military weaponry and weapon control systems.
In consumer
products, rigid flex doesn't just maximize space and weight, but greatly
improves reliability, eliminating many needs for solder joints and delicate,
fragile wiring that are prone to connection issues. These are just some
examples, but rigid-flex PCBs can be used to benefit nearly all advanced
electrical applications including testing equipment, tools, and automobiles.
