Why Is Rigid-flex Pcb Preferably Used In Portable Electronic Devices?

By Author: Ryan
Total Articles: 71
Comment this article

In order to fulfill several specialized criteria, portable electronic devices must be manufactured with special design and production concerns. The internal circuitry must be very reliable for application and able to withstand challenging conditions. Large temperature fluctuations, humid and moist environments, physical shocks, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and radio frequency (RF) interference are all possible for the device.


The electronics must also fit inside the product's constrained space. Phones, smart watches, wearable fitness trackers, inventory trackers, and spectacles for dental operations are just a few examples of portable electronics that are getting smaller, thinner, and more flexible. These sizes must be supported by the circuit type employed, however, they must also be portable and comfortable to use.


Customers have three options when choosing the best-printed circuit board technology to use: rigid-printed circuit boards, flex circuits, or rigid flex PCB. Rigid-flex circuits continue to be the preferred printed circuit board choice for portable electronics, despite the ...
... fact that rigid circuit boards are ideal for a variety of applications.


Problems with Flex Circuits and Rigid Printed Circuits


Rigid circuit boards frequently cannot satisfy the design specifications of many portable devices. While the rigid board does provide some EMI/RF shielding, shock resistance, and strength to the device, the typical rigid board will need several points of the interface to make all the necessary connections. These points of connectivity may include wire solder joints, crimped wire contacts, connector-to-connector interfaces, connector-to-wire solder joints, etc. The number of regions that potentially encounter failures grows with this many new points of the link.


Also, the connectors occupy room inside the portable device, making it heavier than is really ideal. The stiff board may require the device package to be larger in size, which the consumer may not necessarily want. Another issue is that flexible devices that are curved in shape or need to bend and flex cannot be accommodated by stiff boards.


Yet, flexible circuit boards can be used in portable devices that need to stretch and bend. They can be built around operating mechanisms without compromising their functionality since they are thin enough. Also, they are light enough for situations where the product's weight affects its ability to function safely and dependably.


Nevertheless, they do not considerably reduce the number of points of contact needed; they still need connectors and the corresponding solder joints to interact with the rigid circuits, taking up space in the final assembly.


The Benefits of Rigid-Flex Boards


When utilized for portable electronics, rigid-flex circuit boards from a reliable rigid flexible PCB manufacturer give the best of both worlds. The stiff circuit section gives stability and strength to other areas of the product that need increased durability and shock absorption, while the flexible circuit area performs well for items that need it to bend in certain spots. The following elements are some of the primary benefits.


Less Packaging


The requirement for wired connections is greatly diminished and, in some circumstances, eliminated by integrating rigid circuit boards and flexible circuits into a single integrated device. The client may create product designs that are lighter and smaller in size when necessary since the flex area materials use about 10% less space and weight compared to wired alternatives. One rigid-flex circuit board can fit in spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible to many rigid boards, connections, and wire harnesses, and its tighter bend capabilities provide connecting options that aren't possible with any other solution.


Increased Reliability


The need for several additional interconnects when employing multiple stiff circuit boards is one problem. In addition to taking up space, connections solder joints, and contact crimps can become weak spots if the device is dropped while being used. Anything less than the highest level of reliability is required in some fields, including as medical and military applications, to avoid harmful or disastrous outcomes.


Circuits with a rigid-flex design are more resistant to vibration and shock. As a result of the fewer connection points, they continue to operate at a high level throughout drop testing. Also, the product gets lighter, which lowers the possibility of probable failures.


More capacity


Compared to conventional rigid circuit boards with wired interconnects rigid-flex circuit boards' flexible PCB sections offer a wider variety of capabilities. The flexible board can easily manage the transmission loads when the product design calls for high-speed signals and regulated impedance. The flexible portions can also offer excellent shielding against EMI and RF interference from both inside the device and external sources. Rigid-flex circuits have the additional advantage of being reliable even when employed in challenging conditions. The boards are resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and rust well. They are able to disperse produced heat and can withstand temperatures as high as 200°C.


Savings that might be made


Customers may discover possible cost advantages when using a rigid-flex circuit board for their application because of the reduced material utilization and simpler assembly. Because only the materials required for the final assembly will be charged to customers, the rigid-flex circuit may be packaged in smaller and lighter forms. The fewer parts and connectors needed may also be a result of these cost reductions.


Each component or connection used in a rigid circuit can also be used in rigid-flex circuits. To link the stiff and flexible PCBs together or to other components, the product design won't require any unique connections or parts. Also simple to install and assemble are rigid-flex circuit boards. There is only one way to install them, preventing assembly faults that would necessitate a complete rewrite.


Summary


When choosing between stiff circuit boards and flexible circuit boards for your application, rigid-flex circuit designs offer the best of both worlds. They give your application robustness, high-speed capability, dependability, and maybe cost savings. These circuit boards also expand the range of potential design requirements when the product may need to be manufactured in lightweight, compact sizes, something that alternative connectivity methods would not be able to handle. One integrated rigid flex PCB design that relies on the best of both rigid and flex circuit capabilities enables the user to have the packaging and performance needed for many of today's high-performance portable devices.

High Quality PCB Co., Limited is a leading PCB(Printed Circuit Board) Manufacturer in China since 1995. Dedicated to the technologies innovation, being engaged in IC Substrates, High-Density Interconnect PCB, Multi-layer PCB, Rigid Flexible PCB, Flexible, Radiofrequency PCB.