What are Rigid-Flex Circuit Boards?
As the name implies, a Rigid-Flex PCB is a hybrid of a Flex PCB and a Rigid PCB. The combination of the two types of boards utilises the benefits each one provides, integrating the versatility of the flexible board with the robustness of the rigid board. Rigid-flex printed circuit boards are used in more complex mechanical designs, eliminating flexible cables and wiring and replacing it with integrated circuits.
Rigid-Flex PCBs, by definition, are a combination of rigid part(s) joined by interconnecting flex areas where the flex material is used across the entire PCB area.
The rigid parts are where there is no bending requirement. Again, PTHs take connections from layer to...
What are Rigid-Flex Circuit Boards?
As the name implies, a Rigid-Flex PCB is a hybrid of a Flex PCB and a Rigid PCB. The combination of the two types of boards utilises the benefits each one provides, integrating the versatility of the flexible board with the robustness of the rigid board. Rigid-flex printed circuit boards are used in more complex mechanical designs, eliminating flexible cables and wiring and replacing it with integrated circuits.
Rigid-Flex PCBs, by definition, are a combination of rigid part(s) joined by interconnecting flex areas where the flex material is used across the entire PCB area.
The rigid parts are where there is no bending requirement. Again, PTHs take connections from layer to layer as required. Rigid-flex may also employ other technologies as required eg. HDI. Unlike the cost-effective flex PCBs, Rigid-Flex PCBs can be a bit more costly due to their intricate design.
Rigid-flex PCB design can be used to eliminate or greatly reduce requirements for bulky and costly cable harnesses, in turn taking out costs and reducing assembly time. Like the pure flexible PCBs, a high volume of rigid-flex PCBs are used in aviation and space applications – and also in automotive and test equipment.
The flexible layers of a Rigid-Flex PCB are buried within the board and penetrate through the rigid sections of the PCB.
The trend to miniaturization in electronics continues. Integrated circuit board solutions are becoming more and more popular as a means of efficiently utilizing the even smaller casing volume in all three dimensions.
A rigid-flex printed circuit board is unique as the rigid part of the circuitry can be placed directly into the application. Then, the flexible section can be bent and even folded to fit around components to make another direct connection. This aspect ensures a reliable connection to parts for higher performance.
Some of the most common products that incorporate rigid-flex PCBs in their design include laptop computers, smartphones, and wearable devices due to the bending capabilities of rigid-flex.
Rigid-flex pcb boards are PCBs that have Flexible PCBs (FPC) and Rigid PCBs on the same board, which are commonly employed to save space, remove wiring assemblies and can also be welded with complex components. Combining other higher technology boards, such as HDI, as a part of its packaging, is also a common design.
