Due to the increasing demand for miniaturization in the electronics industry, especially in Flexible PCB, experts have developed Rigid-Flex PCB. These kinds of PCBs are highly capable of meeting stringent requirements for small devices.
Along with that, there are countless benefits that one could obtain in a Rigid-Flexible PCB, including inexpensive cost, reduced space occupancy, and enhanced reliability.
Therefore, we’d like to go into more detail about the various sectors that favored the Rigid-Flex PCB, its advantages and disadvantages, and reasons to select a Rigid-Flex PCB over other boards currently in use. Ultimately, we’ll touch on the applications of a Flexible PCB.
What is Rigid-Flex PCB?
The Rigid-Flex PCB is, as its name implies, a complete fusion of a Flexible and a Rigid Board, providing it with a small overall footprint while having adaptable areas. In that sense, the Rigid section provides the mechanical structure. While the Flexible section is primarily responsible for the bending that makes it suitable for a particular design.
Introduction to Rigid-Flex PCB
In situations with restricted capacity as well as when the board needs to stretch or expand to accommodate a particularly sleek design, Rigid-Flex PCBs are frequently utilized. They are especially helpful in situations where the board needs to be small and strong, such as medical equipment, military and weapon systems, and consumer gadgets.
Additionally, Rigid-Flex Boards eliminate the need for wires and sockets, streamlining the architectural vision and lowering the possibility of malfunction because of faulty contacts.
It takes specialized expertise and equipment to fabricate and assemble Rigid-Flex PCBs. They usually cost something beyond conventional Rigid Boards as a consequence. Even so, Rigid-Flex Boards are frequently quite advantageous than they are expensive, especially in situations where the room is at a price or where dependability and longevity are crucial.
Flexible PCBs Application
Simply put, the applications of Flexible PCBs are divided into two (2) different categories; we have Static and Dynamic. In selecting the appropriate classification, its materials, components, and substances will vary as well. Hence, it is essential to fully understand them.
Static Application
In essence, flex-to-install and flex-to-fit are additional terms for static uses. The circuitry is built with a little bit of flexibility for these kinds of uses. Furthermore, Flex Boards are made with cheap Electro Deposited (ED) copper for inactive uses because the bending mobility is limited.
Dynamic Application
Simply put, the circuits are frequently and constantly stretched in dynamic uses. Moreover, these boards are made with Rolled Annealed (RA) copper to guarantee that the Flex PCB performs consistently in certain situations.
Industries Served by Rigid-Flex PCB
In conclusion, we can state that a Rigid-Flex Board is capable of completing a vast array of uses. The collection that follows mentions a few of them.
Medical
In the Medical Field, cordless devices, portable sensors, imaging technology, hearing prostheses, pacemakers, and medication delivery mechanisms benefit from Rigid-Flex PCB.
Military
In Military and Defense Industries, devices for guiding weapons, communicating, using GPS, detecting the firing of missiles from planes, and several others highly benefit from a Rigid-Flex PCB.
Aerospace
As for Aircraft and Aerospace Industry, we have radar apparatus, GPS, wireless transmission systems, air traffic control systems, detectors, disturbance and tremor testing apparatus, motion detectors, and ambient and atmospheric evaluation facilities that prefer Rigid-Flex PCB.
Telecommunication
In the Telecommunication Industry, we have access points, portable devices, satellites for transmission, wireless communication systems, signal processing services, broadcast media, networks and hosts, and internet network extension structures that take advantage of Rigid-Flex PCBs.
Automotive
Rigid-Flex PCB is extremely beneficial for several uses in the automotive sector, including computer control components, momentum control systems, gearbox settings, LCD screens, convenience controllers, cooling systems, audio systems, multimedia systems, and guidance systems.
Manufacturing/Industrial
As for the Manufacturing/Industrial Industry, some of the applications that benefit from Rigid-Flex PCBs are power controls, control screens, compressed air units, test tools, and video security systems.
Consumer Appliances
In Consumer Appliances, ovens, TV remote controls, laundry machines, lighting systems, photovoltaic power systems, ultraviolet water filters, and electric irons are just a few examples of applications that make use of Rigid-Flex PCB in their structure.
Pros and Cons of Rigid-Flex PCB
We’ll break down the benefits and drawbacks of a Rigid-Flex Board to completely understand its capabilities. In that way, one could decide whether a Rigid-Flex PCB would be an ideal option for their desired purpose and application.
Advantages of Rigid-Flex PCB
- Reduced Dimensions: Rigid-Flex PCBs encourage developers to combine innumerable PCBs into a single entity, conserving area and cutting down on the relative sum of the electronic appliance. This is crucial for compact electrical gadgets because they have limited room.
- Enhanced Reliability: Rigid-Flex Boards do away from the requirement for connections and wires, which are frequently the reason for breakdowns in electrical devices. This lowers the possibility of malfunction because of weakened links, increasing the dependability and longevity of the technological gadget.
- Enhanced Durability: Rigid-Flex Boards are made to endure mechanical tension, pressure, and weather patterns; thus, they are ideal for challenging settings applications. This increases the technological device’s general longevity.
- Improved Signal Consistency: Rigid-Flex PCBs offer a more secure transmission route than conventional Rigid PCBs because the versatile parts of the circuit lessen the possibility of data confusion or destruction.
- Relatively Affordable: Even though Rigid-Flex PCBs became more costly to develop than conventional Rigid PCBs, they may prove less costly down the road because they eliminate the necessity of joints and wires, streamline the architectural vision, and decrease the likelihood of breakdown because of weakened links. Over the course of the technological device’s existence, this may lead to reduced upkeep and replacement expenses.
Disadvantages of Rigid-Flex PCB
- Sophistication: The creation and production of Rigid-Flex Circuits are complicated and calls for specialist knowledge and tools. Further, expect long wait periods and increased production expenses may follow from this.
- Restricted Versatility: Rigid-Flex PCBs are made to curve in only certain places, and too much twisting or moving can harm the board. The technological device’s versatility and maneuverability may be restricted as a result.
- Restricted Availability: Rigid-Flex PCBs may not be appropriate for all uses or be as readily accessible as conventional Rigid PCBs.
- Inspection: Rigid-Flex PCBs can be more demanding to evaluate than conventional Rigid PCBs because these boards’ flexible components can be more challenging to evaluate.
- Expensive: Rigid-Flex PCBs are occasionally more costly than conventional Rigid PCBs, which may render them less efficient in regards to price for some uses.
Ultimately, Rigid-Flex PCBs have many benefits, but they are not appropriate for all situations, and their expenses and intricacy may deter some ventures from using them. If a Rigid-Flex PCB is the safest alternative for a specific project, the design specifications and expenses must be carefully taken into account.
Why Choose Rigid-Flex PCB?
By now, we can tell that there are countless reasons to deploy a Rigid-Flex PCB in an application. However, in this section, we will further dig deeper into the reasons to use them.
- Room Constrictions: One of the main factors to consider when choosing a Rigid-Flex Board is the availability of area. The board’s bendable sections can be curled or twisted to fit into small areas, which helps the electrical gadget to be smaller altogether.
- Serviceability: Since Rigid-Flex Boards do not require wires or sockets, there is a lower likelihood of failure from faulty interactions. As a result, the technological gadget is more durable and reliable overall.
- Flexibility in Architecture: In contrast to conventional Rigid PCBs, Rigid-Flex PCBs provide more customization options. They can be formed and sculpted to match the curves of the electronic gadget, which can enhance the product’s general appearance and usefulness.
- Decreased Assembly Time: Since Rigid-Flex Boards do not require connections or wires, they can cut down on setup duration as well as costs. As a result, there are fewer pieces to connect and the general design is simpler.
- Expenditure: Although Rigid-Flex PCBs may initially cost something beyond conventional rigid PCBs, they may end up being less costly in the long term. In place of this, lower upkeep and replacement expenses throughout the technological device’s existence may be the result of the construction time decrease, increased dependability, and longevity.
Broadly speaking, the decision to utilize a Rigid-Flex PCB will rely on the exact specifications of the electronic device, including the amount of room that is accessible, the dependability required, and the level of design freedom required. In situations where the room is at a premium but dependability and longevity are essential, a Rigid-Flex Board is frequently a wise option.
Summary
In summary, countless industries prefer Rigid-Flex PCB utilization. Why is this so? It saves space, makes the device efficient, and sells well.
If you’re planning on incorporating a Rigid-Flex PCB in your applications; feel free to contact MV Flex Circuit, we are capable of producing a Rigid-Flex PCB according to your liking and specifications. Along with that, you can entrust us with any PCB concerns you may have since we have over 15 years of industry experience, and we have a set of workers with extensive experience in producing various electronic boards. Ultimately, at MV Flex Circuit, we guarantee complete client satisfaction.
Why do you still wait? By contacting us right away, you can take advantage of our current promotions. Depending on your purchases, we will provide you with a complete reduction without sacrificing the caliber of the goods. Please contact us right away; we’d be pleased to assist you.
