Choosing Decision Between Rigid-flex And Standard Pcbs

By Author: Ryan
Total Articles: 78
Comment this article

The printed circuit board (PCB) is perhaps the most strategic constituent of electronic implements. In its simplest type, a PCB is an insulator with two conducting layers and traces on one of its surfaces. The entire electronic components such as the ICs, capacitors, resistors, and inductors are fitted to the outer surface of the PCB like Rigid Flexible PCB from Rigid Flexible PCB Manufacturer and electrically interconnected by way of the metallic tracks for the required work.


Printed Circuit Board Types


Interconnection structures can be divided into several forms of printed circuit boards. They are all distinctive from one another because each type is created for purposes, needs, and functions it is intended to fulfill. For instance, they can be classified according to their structure/flexibility, the number of copper layers, and/or any functional features.


Conventional Rigid PCBs


Traditional non-flexible printed circuit boards that are widely used are mostly made from a substrate material called the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate or FR4. These green boards ...
... with copper traces on them are found in so many electronic systems that are used today.


They can be single-sided, double-sided (with copper foil on both sides of fiberglass), and multilayer with multiple copper foil layers with insulating layers in between; such a design allows for designing more intricate electric circuits. Used in consumer electronics, machinery, industrial usage, and aerospace technology, the following are highlights of the traditional rigid printed circuit boards.


Variants of the printed circuit boards are rigid-flex printed circuit boards in which the boards are rigid and flexible together. These boards can be easily twisted or deformed or rather flexed at the joints or the less rigid areas. One characteristic of rigid-flex PCBs is that they must be able to accommodate complex electronic parts for mounting and at the same time be flexible enough to be bent.


Excellent Reliability


Made of FR4, Fire retardant epoxy glass epoxy, which has electrical insulation properties, high heat resistivity, low water absorbability, and is compatible with Lead-free parts.


Superior Mechanical Process ability


A component made of FR4 material can be drilled to make small holes and can be easily profiled and punched in case of special shapes. As for rigid PCBs, they are capable of having multiple laminations at high temperatures which do not affect the substrate or copper trace, and can be fabricated up to 100 copper layers.


Cost-Effectiveness


FR4 is cheaper and easily available than ceramics polyimide or other metal material and this is why FR4 platform PCBs are widely used in cost-sensitive electronic products.


Compatibility with Other Materials


FR4 materials are compatible with near-ceramic materials, and polyimide, or can be reinforced for higher performances.


Established Manufacturing Process


Lenin’s manufacturing process of FR4 PCBs is thorough years of application, professional in drilling, copper plating, etching, soldering, testing, and surface treatment. These processes have been well managed as the production lines indicate by various manufacturers regarding the FR4 circuit board manufacturing.


Introduction to Rigid-Flex Printed Circuit Boards


Variants of the printed circuit boards are rigid-flex printed circuit boards in which the boards are rigid and flexible together. These boards can be easily twisted or deformed or rather flexed at the joints or the less rigid areas. One characteristic of rigid-flex PCBs is that they must be able to accommodate complex electronic parts for mounting and at the same time be flexible enough to be bent.


Here are some highlights on rigid-flex PCBs:


Physical Flexibility


The aspect of versatility of rigid-flex PCBs makes it possible to interconnect complicated printed circuit schematics by mounting a large complex of components on the rigid section and leaving the flexible section free from installed electronic devices.


Space-saving


These circuits subsume numerous FR4 PCBs and cables for a rigid-flex PCB from Rigid Flexible PCB Manufacturer help in lowering its weight. Therefore, they are commonly employed in low-power consumer electronics items such as cameras, wearable gadgets, and drones.


Lightweight


Cuts the overall weight of multiple FR4 PCBs and cables by a wide margin which is good for portable electronics such as cameras, wearables, and drones.


Reliability


Negligible movement/fluctuation and vibrations are observed in the rigid-flex PCBs as compared to cables with plugs because the wires are embedded in the PCBs and protected by a thin layer of flexible film. Thus, they are employed in highly critical applications such as military, aviation, and aerospace fields.


Excellent Electrical Properties


Thus, rigid-flex PCBs connect circuits, not cable connections between several PCBs; therefore, signal transmission is without delay or interruption contributing to good electrical properties.


Mechanical Strength


Thus, they are rigid-flex PCBs that are strong mechanically, and thus suitable when the PCB is exposed to some mechanical stress.


Selecting Between Using Rigid-Flex and Standard PCBs


The decision between rigid-flex and traditional PCBs hinges on multiple factors:


Flexibility Requirements: Rigid-flex PCBs are relevant for designs that are more flexible because of various factors such as a small space or motion.


Weight Considerations: Some advantages of using Rigid-flex PCBs include low weight which is favored in portable equipment and airborne equipment.


Reliability: Due to their design, rigid-flex PCBs offer more reliability under extreme conditions than flexible PCBs.


Design Efficiency: Conventional multiplex PCBs enhance the simplification of layout, and rigid-flex PCBs decrease the complicate of 3D usage.


Space Efficiency: Compared with the conventional PCBs that add additional cables and connectors, rigid-flex PCBs consume less area.


Cost and Lead Time: Standard PCBs are often cheaper and faster to manufacture than rigid-flex PCBs, and that is why they are suitable for mass production.


Keeping You Informed so You Can Make the Right PCB Decision


In the selection of the preferred substrate for the next design, it is advisable to liaise with PCB producers possessing knowledge in rigid as well as rigid-flex designs. That can offer a piece of advice on the design possibilities and the costs involved. Consulting with manufacturing teams may help in achieving solutions that are unique and key to the niches and peculiarities of your design.


Flexible Circuits-Future Trends


Currently, there are a lot of new designs being manufactured with significantly higher counts of the flex layer. Other fairly observed ones are such that have blind and buried via, ZIF incorporated with connections and even some other designs having components inserted into the flexible regions as well as the more rigid ones.


In some of the rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) layouts, there might be some flex regions where shielding might be wanted for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) or Radio Frequency (RF). There are also designs whereby the thickness of the rigid areas differ and also designs where the constructions of the designs do not have a symmetrical nature. Unlike conventional PWB manufacturing that utilizes a fiberglass–epoxy composite as the substrate, rigid-flex PCB manufacturing makes use of woven fiberglass fabric which is appropriately infused with epoxy resin. However, epoxy imprinted fiberglass is not always a good option because it does not stand the use of frequent vibrations, shocks, and constant motion.


Almost all the specific constructions can be merged to form more numerous varieties of flex and rigid-flex circuit boards from Rigid Flexible PCB Manufacturers.

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.