The speed of technology is changing at a geometric rate. Where earlier mobile phones were the size of shoes, now there are slim smart phones that easily slip into a shirt pocket. The changes expected in the next two decades will make the previous decades pale in comparison. One of the key ingredients in this heady mixture is the growing usage of flexible printed circuit boards, also known as the Flex PCB.

Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are perfect for the current electronic needs. They are lightweight, can be compact, and with proper design, can offer extremely robust solutions. However, although flexible PCBs can bend, they still must fulfill some specific requirements that traditional rigid PCBs do not.

Rigid-Flex in particular offers the designer opportunities to conform to mechanical restrictions of an existing system. It solves part of the Form Factor and Fit, enabling the designer to meet the function of the overall design and /or retrofit in existing designs. Rigid-flex construction allows for use of many variables while meeting the needs for signal processing and predictable values for impedance, mechanical configuration, cost, and reliability. Below is a brief guide to designing with rigid-flex.

As electronics continue to get smaller, flex circuits have become the true packaging savior, replacing many typical rigid board applications. Watch this webinar to explore recent trends in flex circuits, materials and design tips.

Manufacturers add value by improving the reliability of flexible PCBs through use of stiffeners that support soldered components and connectors. Although not all rigid-flex and flex PCB need stiffeners on both sides, laminations on the top and bottom of the PCB are essential when components are to be assembled on both sides. Additionally, some designs may need epoxy strain relief if a bend is situated close to the rigid PCB section or the stiffener.