What is a Rigid-Flex PCB?

Rigid-Flex PCB designs combine both rigid and flexible board technologies. In most rigid-flex boards, flexible circuit substrate layers are attached to one or more rigid boards internally, externally, or both, depending on the design specifications of the application. Typically, rigid-flex printed circuit boards are produced with a flexible polyimide material on a copper-clad substrate that is attached to a rigid board. This combination allows rigid-flex PCBs to have more application scenarios, such as electronic devices, advanced aircraft-mounted weapon guidance systems, military and avionics manufacturing, and more.

What are the advantages of rigid-flex pcb?

rigid-flex pcb offer a number of advantages, including light weight, ease of assembly and repair, and enhanced reliability, performance, and flexibility of electronic devices. These and more will be discussed later:

➤ Compact Size
Electronic devices are becoming smaller and more flexible. The versatility of rigid-flexible PCBs allows them to be bent and folded to fit smaller devices and properly connect miniature components. This miniaturization also makes them lightweight.

➤ Increased Reliability
Since there are fewer solder joints and board-to-board connectors, there is less likelihood of connection impedance. In addition, the attached rigid and flexible layers are firmly and reliably connected, thus ensuring fewer circuit failures.

➤ Space saving
Since the flexible substrate has built-in interconnection circuits, there is more space for wiring on the rigid-flexible PCB. This makes the boards suitable for compact design applications as they do not provide much space for wiring harnesses and high profile connectors.

➤ Reduced Costs
Although rigid-flex boards are more expensive than regular rigid PCBs, they are more cost-effective in terms of assembly costs. Because of their smaller size and fewer connections, rigid-flex PCBs require less material to assemble. Fewer parts and connector assemblies reduce the cost of purchasing and assembling the final product and increase revenue. This means that Rigid-Flex PCBs significantly reduce overall manufacturing costs for assembly and logistics.

➤ Easy to Test
The interconnected subcircuits of Rigid-Flex PCBs can be easily subjected to automated testing. This testing allows manufacturers to eliminate connectivity issues prior to component assembly, preventing unnecessary waste and expense.

Design Flexibility
3D design and multi-layer flexible circuits make rigid-flex PCBs highly flexible and able to be installed into small devices. This way, devices are no longer limited to a specific PCB design like rigid boards, as rigid-flex boards have an impressive bend radius and can therefore be bent into a variety of applications.

➤ Resistant to high temperatures and harsh conditions
This type of PCB can withstand high temperatures because of the use of polyimides with high thermal stability in its design. In addition, by combining the best characteristics of both rigid and flexible boards, it has considerable resistance to radiation, harmful oils and chemicals, as well as extreme shock and vibration, and other harsh industrial conditions. This makes it ideal for equipment that may be subjected to excessive movement and vibration during use.