This short article is meant to apply the design support we offer at iFastPCB in regards to our flex PCB and rigid flex PCB. Technical design and design is one of our core principles that permits us to assist our customers satisfy there product requirements. The short article will cover design locations that require unique factor to consider.
Preliminary Rigid Flex PCB Design Principle
Obtaining associated with a design at the theoretical degree can be an advantage for both the PCB manufacturer and the OEM. When it concerns flex and rigid flex PCB circuits it is essential to understand the full job demands ahead.
The process begins with a conversation. This typically includes a call with the client’s project monitoring and design groups in order to help develop a first understanding of all the information.
Design Factors We Should Know Are:
-Are there any type of special signal requirements such as impedance control and or current carrying needs?
-Exactly what is the basic component shapes and size?
-What is the functionality of the flexible PCB?
-Exist other variables such as a radio frequency design (RF)? Is shielding needed due to the atmosphere it will be running in?
-Just what are they aiming to achieve and just what do they need to achieve?
-Is the design an indicate point adjoin or an energetic element?
-All these inquiries aid us suggest about what your demands are.
-The number of interconnects are there mosting likely to be? Even more interconnects boosts the intricacy.
-Throughout this process we additionally begin feeding information back to you to give you a clearer understanding of flex and rigid-flex modern technologies that may pertain to your requirements.
All of these considerations assist us figure out if a flex PCB solution is even valid for your application. Sometimes we might concern the final thought that it may not be plausible to utilize a flexible circuits board ultimately product’s design. We are always aiming to maintain your best interests in mind and will certainly not develop something just for the benefit of developing it.
We likewise try to determine added levels of performance that can be integrated into the design. We search for higher levels of assimilation in between the separate parts. In many cases we even should simplify to decrease levels of combination that are not needed and are overly complex, which could consequently supply expense decreases.
Mechanical Design
Once we have completed the design principle stage and identified that a flex and rigid flex PCB is a valid remedy, we after that begin to check into even more of the specific information of the mechanical design.
Some things that we have to understand are:
-From a PCB manufacturing perspective we start checking out the sizes and shape of the flex PCB part. Not all shapes and arrangements are manufacturable because of the distinct PCB manufacturing processes that are run into in flex and rigid flex PCB manufacturing.
-Just what are the minimum bend requirements? Just how are you going to be bending the flex PCB into position? What are the flex section lengths required to meet the bend demands? These are needed to protect against trace damage once the component is being used in the long run product.
-We love to notify clients on added mechanical design elements that we could offer the table. We do however understand that most of our consumers are familiar with rigid PCB.
-Remember that not all sizes are available. Large components can develop technological difficulties due to the dimensional stability of the materials themselves in addition to the PCB manufacturing resistances that can develop. You could have the ability to design it, yet it’s not always manufacturable.
Various other Mechanical Design Aspects:
-PSAs, which are generally dual sided tapes made use of to attach the flex within the unit.
-Stiffeners, which are called for to support soldered adapters and parts to make sure integrity.
-Exist any type of protecting needs if the design is an RF or EMI sensitive application? This can be finished with various methods such as copper layers, silver Ink layers, or special shielding films. Each of these has their very own strengths and weak points which ought to be reviewed relying on the job.
– Exist any special PSA requirements such as a heat setting? Do you need the PSA to be thermally conductive to dissipate heat? Does it should be electrically conductive to ground the component to the unit?
-Stiffeners, which are called for to support soldered adapters and parts to make sure integrity.
-Exist any type of protecting needs if the design is an RF or EMI sensitive application? This can be finished with various methods such as copper layers, silver Ink layers, or special shielding films. Each of these has their very own strengths and weak points which ought to be reviewed relying on the job.
– Exist any special PSA requirements such as a heat setting? Do you need the PSA to be thermally conductive to dissipate heat? Does it should be electrically conductive to ground the component to the unit?
Does the flex PCB circuit need any type of epoxy stress alleviations, which come into play if there is going to be a bend close to a stiffener or to the rigid PCB section? This might need a grain of epoxy at that interface to avoid to circuit traces to break.
Summary
In summary, not all flex and rigid flex layouts are produced equal. Comprehending all of the discussed aspects will aid identify exactly what the most effective feasible solution will certainly be for your end product. If you are seeking additional details or call for aid to establish if a flex PCB service is the most effective option for you, please feel free to contact us to ask for even more info on our flex and rigid flex PCB manufacturing service.