Why Flexible PCBs Outperform Rigid PCBs: Key Advantages for Modern Electronics

Jan 19,2016

Since inception, there have been anumber of innovations in PCB manufacturing, which have revolutionizedthe electronics industry. And the constant innovations have aided theelectronics industry is bending and breaking all rules in terms ofdesign and implementation. This has made a great impact on our lives byintroducing technology to almost every aspect of our lives.

Flexible printed circuit board is onesuch innovation that has propelled the imagination of creators anddesigners. The simplest definition for flexible printed circuit can bestated as; A pattern of conductive traces bonded over a flexiblesubstrates.

Flexible PCBs offer numerous benefitsand exceed the competency of rigid printed circuit boards. Apart fromdesign and implementation, flexible PCBs offer various advantages suchas better packaging, improved reliability, enhanced capabilities, andmore cost-savings.

Benefits of Flexible PCBs

Following benefits of the flexible PCBshave made them one of the most utilized PCB technologies for all sortsof electronics applications:

• Flex circuit design can be created to fit where no other design can.
• Flexible printed circuit boards are suitable for applications involving dynamic flexing or static designs.
• They are a combination of ordinary PCBs and round wire, providing benefits of both.

In essence, flexible circuits give youunlimited freedom of packaging geometry while retaining the precisiondensity and repeatability of printed circuits.

As a high reliability replacement for wire and wire harness assemblies, flex circuits provide significant cost savings, with no reduction in performance.

Applications of Flexible Circuit Boards

Prior to designing a circuit, there are two fundamental structural applications of flexible circuits:

Static Application: Anapplication where flex circuits requires flexed during installation butnot during operation. Two or more layer circuits are best suited tostatic applications.

Dynamic Flexing Applications: A situation where the flex circuit itself is dynamically (repeatedly)flexed during the actual use of the final product. Common examplesinclude flip-type cell phones, laptops, printer heads and robotic arms.Single-layer circuits are the best choice for dynamic (flex-in-use)applications.

If you have applications that youbelieve can be fulfilled by flexible PCBs it is always smart to talk toprofessionals. In fact, manufacturers are best people to help you getyour queries solved.

Related Blog post:

• Everything You Need to Know About Flexible Circuit Boards Read More
• Clearing the Debate about Rigid vs. Flexible Circuits Read More