What is Rigid-flex PCB

Rigid-flex printed circuit boards is a complicated product that uses a blend of flexible and rigid board advances in an application. So when it comes to a new PCB design which demands a lot of interaction between our engineers and your technicians. Similar to other complex electronic products, early discussions between Weller and the designer is necessary to optimize the design for convenient in PCB fabrication process and to have the PCB manufacturing costs optimized. Here in Weller we can support advanced rigid-flex PCBs manufacturing and assembly for various applications in medical, IOT, defence, aerospace, and communication field.

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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 it’s 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 assembly process.

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.

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Rigid flex printed circuit boards

Rigid-Flex PCB vs. A Flexible Circuit

A rigid-flex PCB is a circuit board that the vast majority consider when they visualize a circuit board. 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 circuit 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.

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The Application of Rigid-fex PCB Manufacturing

Flexible rigid PCB has been used in a wide range of applications. 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:

Brain, heart, and respiratory monitoring system,handheld monitors, cochlear implants, imaging equipment.

Communication systems, Weapons guidance and control systems, GPS system, surveillance or tracking systems

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.

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 printed circuit board, 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.

Polyimide

Polyester (PET)

Polyimide Adhesives

Polyester Adhesives

Acrylic Adhesives

Epoxies

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 base materials must be carefully selected 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

ItemProductTechnical Data
01Layer Count2~16Layers
02Min. Line Width/Space18um(finish Cu): 3.5/3.5mil
35um(finish Cu): 4.0/4.0mil
03Min Space Between Coverlay Opening0.2mm
04Edge of Coverlay Opening to Trace0.20mm(preferred)
05Min Space between coverlay and solder pad0.15mm
06Polyimide Films0.5 mil (12.5µ), 1 mil (25µ), 2 mils (50µ), 3 mils (75µ), 4mils(100µ), 5 mils(125µ) as custmer requested
07Thermabond AdhesiveAcrylic/Modified Acrylic, Modified Epoxy, Polyimide
08Copper Foils (RA or ED)1/4oz to 3oz
09FR-4 in Multi-layer Flex CircuitsLaminated to flex circuit to create rigid flex boards, typically with vias
10StiffenersPolyimide, Rigid FR4, PSA, metal, or customer requested
11Solder ResistCoverlay, LPI
12Min. Finished Hole size0.20mm
13Max. Finished Hole size6.30mm
14Hole tolerance±0.05mm
15Min.space between holes0.15mm
16Minimum conductor edge to outline edge≥ 0.10mm
17Tooling toleranceKnife(Soft) tooling ± 0.25mm
Steel(Hard) tooling ± 0.05mm
CNC drill/rout ± 0.10mm
18Maximum Layer to Layer Mis-registration± 0.10mm
19Copper Plated Thickness (PTH only)8~15um;20~30um;30~70um(special)
20PCB Surface FinishImmersion Gold, HASL, Lead free HASL, Plating Hard Gold, OSP

Weller Technology Offers You the Best Rigid-flex PCB Manufacturing Services

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 multi-layer 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.