Flex Circuits Withstand Harsh Environments
Rigid flex circuits are a great option for any design that requires the ability to withstand harsh environments such as high shock and vibration, extreme temperatures or electromagnetic interference (EMI). They can be used in areas where wired interconnects would be unreliable due to their rugged and durable construction.
These boards combine the best of rigid circuit board technology with the flexible areas found in flexible printed circuits. The result is a powerful solution that allows designers to achieve higher signal transmission speeds, controlled impedance and reduced weight without sacrificing reliability.
Compared to traditional rigid flex circuits boards, rigid flex has the benefit of being thinner which reduces package size and lowers overall system weight. This is particularly important in applications such as medical and military devices where any potential point of failure could have dangerous or disastrous consequences. Rigid flex circuits also have the ability to withstand higher levels of shock and vibration as well as maintain their performance during drops which makes them ideal for use in high-reliability products such as patient-worn monitoring equipment and military grade electronics.
Can Rigid Flex Circuits Withstand Harsh Environments?
The flexibility of a rigid flex PCB is achieved through the inclusion of conductive layers of copper foil between the polyimide base film and the cover lay. This is then sandwiched with a clear epoxy or pressure-sensitive adhesive that secures the foil layer to the polyimide base film. The etching process then lays down the circuit patterns before drilling the holes and applying copper plating. Rigid-flex circuits represent a remarkable fusion of two fundamental types of circuitry: rigid and flexible. As the name suggests, these circuits seamlessly integrate rigid and flexible substrates into a single design, offering a unique blend of structural stability and adaptability. In a world where electronics are becoming increasingly compact and complex, rigid-flex circuits emerge as a vital solution to meet the demands of modern technology.
Because flex materials are prone to more movement and contraction during manufacturing, it’s essential that any rigid-flex circuit has a drill-to-copper distance of at least 8 mils. The proper thickness of the copper plating is also crucial to ensure that your rigid-flex circuit can withstand a variety of environmental conditions. Generally, a panel plating process is preferred over pad-only-plating, as it allows manufacturers to have better control of the copper thickness and improve etch yields with small traces.
When looking for a manufacturer of rigid-flex PCBs, be sure to find one that has extensive experience in both designing and manufacturing these complex electronic products. A reputable PCB manufacturer will be able to offer you a wide range of options and support throughout the entire design, fabrication and assembly phases.
Look for a company that adheres to international quality standards and offers customer references and testimonials to verify their reputation as a high-quality provider of advanced electronics. Choosing the right manufacturer can open up new possibilities for your design and make it easier to create innovative products that are both cutting-edge and reliable. Start your search for a partner today and unlock the power of rigid flex technology.