What are the benefits of flexible printed circuits?
Compared with traditional rigid boards and cables, flex pcb boards have several advantages. These include more precise wiring, elimination of mechanical connectors, complete design flexibility, higher circuit density, wider operating temperature range, stronger signal quality, improved impedance control and reliability, and size reduction.
Automated production eliminates the common human errors in manual wiring harnesses. The flexible circuit can only reach the points indicated in the design plan. Less labor is involved in the Custom Flexible PCB fabrication printing process, and the production cost of flexible PCB is high and time-saving.
Since the degree of freedom of the design process is not limited by two dimensions, the flexible circuit board can be customized in various ways. This flexibility extends to installation, allowing the third dimension of the channel to be connected between two or more planes.
The function of flexible circuit boards is improved by increasing airflow, heat dissipation, and applying high-density devices in point-to-point connections using simplified circuit geometries.
Infrastructure application
Before designing the circuit, two basic structural applications will determine the choice of conductor. A static application is an application that can be flexibly installed only with a flexible circuit. This application usually uses electrodeposited (ED) copper, which is a cheaper option.
Dynamic flexing applications involve dynamic flexing of flexible circuits during daily use of the product. Flip phones, laptops and computer arms all require the use of Rolled Over (RA) copper activity applications.
Flexible printed circuit function
Single-sided and double-sided Rigid-Flex Boards can have reverse bars, through holes, floating fingers and ZIF terminations. A multi-layer flexible PCB can contain up to 20 layers, and handles high circuit density through multi-layer conductive layers, Through-Hole Assembly, embedded resistors, controllable impedance and EMI shielding.
When the through hole diameter needs to be minimized, the flexible printed circuit board uses the smallest pitch and Electronic Components size to improve signal integrity, electrical performance, and thermal performance.
The flexible design can also lead the signal lines from the high-density area of the device by using blind vias or buried vias, thereby using the same high-density PCB assembly in the rigid PCB. Through fast signal switching, fast switching and high clock rate, the controllable impedance has been significantly improved. Signal transmission in all PCBs requires laminated materials with uniform thickness and electrical signals.
The film can provide protective shielding, which can reduce noise and control the impedance of the signal line, while the reinforcing plate can enhance the flexible circuit. In these circuits, the PCB assembly requires durability and mounting support.
