Rigid-flex PCBs is a complicated product that uses a blend of flexible and rigid board advances in an application.so which demands a lot of interaction between our engineers and your technicians. Similar as other complex products, early discussions between Weller and the designer is necessary to optimize the design for convenient manufacturability and to optimize costs. Weller can support rigid-flex pcbs for various applications in medical, IOT,and communication field.
Most of the rigid-flex flexible circuit boards comprised by different layers of flexible circuit substrates appended to at least one rigid laminate remotely and additionally inside, subject to the design of the application. The flexible laminate (substrates) are intended to be in a steady state of flex and are generally worked as the flexed bend during assembling or installation.
Designs for rigid-flex PCB fabrication are greater annoying as in contrast to the diagram of a frequent inflexible PCB board setting, as generally these sheets are designed in a 3D space, which additionally offers more outstanding spatial productivity. Frequent folding, rolling and twisting the flexible circuit board substrate to achieve its desired shape for the final application package by mapping the flexible rigid PCB is possible.
Advantages of Choosing Flex-Rigid PCB Board
While this sort of flexible circuit might be costly high compared classic rigid PCB board, it offers various significant benefits.
- It can release spaces by its’use of 3D feature
- Reduced physical size and global weight by eliminating the requirement for connectors and interfaces between individual rigid components.
- By releasing the physical space, there is frequently a lower count in the parts.
- Fewer hidden joints guarantee more higher association dependability.
- Handling during the gathering is more simpler in correlation with the flexible material sheets.
- It can simply the PCB PCB assembly processes
- It’s integrated ZIF contacts offer basic secluded interfaces to the framework condition.
- It facilitate in streamlined test conditions. A total test before establishment gets possible.
- Logistical and integrated expenses are altogether decreased with flex-rigid sheets.
- It is more possible to build the versatility of the mechanical design, which further offer the freedom of accommodation arrangements.
Also, the electronic device with rigid-flex PCB can perform well even in the worst conditions, especially those that are extremely warm. For example, the flex-rigid PCB have excellent performance even in the harshest situations, particularly those highlighting extraordinary warmth. Adhesiveless or adhesive based totally polyimide flex constructions, with cowl coat or bendy solder masks materials.
Rigid-Flex PCB vs. A Flexible Circuit
A rigid-flex PCB is a circuit board that the vast majority consider when they visualize a PCB. These sheets interface electrical parts utilizing conductive tracks and different components, which are layout-ed on a non-conductive substrate. For flexible rigid PCB, most of the non-conductive substrate contains glass material, therefore,it enhance the hardness and strength of the circuit board. And,a rigid circuit board offers incredible support to the SMD components, just as fair thermal resistance.
Conductive circuit tracks of flexible PCB are included on a non-conductive laminate material, such boards use a flexible substrate, such as polyimide (PI). The flexible base material enables flexible circuit board to dissipate heat, withstand vibration, and overlay up into different shapes. Due to their basic given features, flex PCB are progressively applied in innovative and compact hardware.
The Application of Rigid-fex PCB Manufacturing
Flexible rigid PCB has wide Uses. They are commonly used in the small consumer items such as portable computers and mobile phones to avionics or modern military frameworks. The applications are listed below:
Rigid-flex PCB Applications in Medical Industry
Brain, heart, and respiratory monitoring system,handheld monitors, cochlear implants, imaging equipment.
Rigid-flex PCB Applications in Military Industry
Communication systems, Weapons guidance and control systems, GPS system, surveillance or tracking systems
Rigid-flex PCB Applications in Aerospace Industry.
Radar equipment, control tower systems,GPS, radio frequency communication systems, sensors integrity, motion sensors, noise and vibration testing systems, environmental monitor and climatic test chambers.
Rigid-flex PCB Applications in Telecommunication Industry
Communication base stations, communication satellites, signal processing integrity systems, wireless communication systems, routers and servers, transmission media, online signal expansion systems,etc
Materials Designing Tips for Rigid-flex PCB
During the Rigid-Flex PCBs configuration process, It is necessary to put some certain considerations to be considered for final item size varieties. In the assembling of Rigid-Flex PCB, the flexible polyimide center will recoil once the fortified copper foil is scratched away. This variety must be verified in the design procedure.
Bending portion to be bent and the emphasis on the bending coverage may lead to the stress fracture is necessarily required.
- Substrates
- Polyimide
- Polyester (PET)
- Conductor Material
- Adhesives
- Polyimide Adhesives
- Polyester Adhesives
- Acrylic Adhesives
- Epoxies
- Protective Coatings
- Cover Lays
- Cover-Coats
Other than above materials, there are a few different optionally available base substances many times used in the manufacturing of rigid-flex PCB to beautify their operational reliability and excellence. These incorporate anti-tarnishing coatings, and support substrates. PCB manufactures choose these materials according to the client requirements, and precise application prerequisites.
The base material used for flex-rigid PCB extraordinarily decides the quality and the overall working performance of the rigid-flex sheets. As referenced before, PCB board materials must be carefully choosed after consulting a few criteria including some critical features such as shelf life, cost, and electrical prerequisites of the circuit, among others. This helps to produce rigid-flex circuit sheets that support years of trouble-free and reliable assistance.
Rigid-Flex PCB Manufacturing Capability
| Feature | Weller technical specification for Rigid-flex PCBs |
| Number of layers | 4-16 layers |
| Technology highlights | Mixed materials including RF and high speed, standard FR-4, polyimide flex. Adhesiveless or adhesive based totally polyimide flex constructions, with cowl coat or bendy solder masks materials. |
| Bending performance | Based on the specific design, the bend performance can range from a basic 90 °bend to fit to a full dynamic flex with 360° range of motion in the flex tail that will withstand continuous cycles throughout the product life. |
| Bend features | Bend radius controls the flexibility of the flex portion of the board. The thinner the material the lower the bend radius and the more flexible the flex section |
| Materials | RA copper, HTE copper, FR-4, polyimide, adhesive |
| Copper weights (finished) | ½ ounce, 1 ounce, 2 ounce, 3 ounce |
| Minimum track and gap | 0.075mm / 0.075mm |
| PCB thickness | 0.4mm to 3mm |
| PCB thickness in flex section | 0.05mm to 0.8mm |
| Maxmimum dimensions | 457mm to 610mm |
| Surface finishes available | ENIG, OSP Immersion tin, Immersion silver |
| Minimum mechanical drill | 0.20mm |
Weller Technology Offers You the Best Rigid-flex PCB Service
In case it comes to our flex and rigid-flex products, Weller offer a variety of cost effective solutions and capabilities that include single or double sided circuitry to higher technology multilayer designs up to 16 layers. Beginning from selecting the best functional configuration, to choosing the proper connectors or components, Weller will help you meet or exceed all your applications requirements.
Our flex and rigid-flex PCBs are well manufactured for various applications in the medical, military, aerospace, and portable electronic devices industries.
Our skilled engineering team can assist you from beginning of design stages of your application all the way to end product production for all your flex and rigid-flex circuit needs.
In this way, we can freely offer customized items according to your product needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us for an estimate or any further questions.