Flexible vs Rigid-Flex PCBs: Features and Differences

Flexible and flexible-rigid printed circuit boards made it possible to completely replace ribbon harnesses and flat-type wires, eliminate bulk connectors, and create a reliable connection between rigid electronic components and dogs. Applying these plates minimizes the mass and size characteristics of the units, optimizes the cooling conditions and greatly simplifies the installation.

Features of Rigid and Flexible Printed Circuit Boards

Flexible Printed Circuit Boards

Created on the basis of a thin, durable base material with a high degree of flexibility - polyimide film or polyethylene terephthalate. Such dielectrics contain SMD components or elements without packages. Due to their flexibility, boards can take a compact shape, bend or bend. As a result - the possibility of three-dimensional mounting and the ability to bend around the contours of electronic devices.

Rigid-flex PCBs

They are one of the complex electronic connecting structures of the equipment. Simple models of flexible-rigid boards contain one rigid and flexible dielectric layer, more complex models can contain dozens of such layers. The design features of the devices allow reducing the weight and dimensions, integrating additional electronics, increasing the reliability and durability of the connections, and also completely abandoning the connectors.

Areas of use

Car electronics	Dashboards.ABS systems.Schemes and controls.
Consumer goods	Goods for entertainment and education.Digital / camcorders.Calculators and monitors.
Medical equipment	Hearing Aids.Cardiac devices.Defibrillators and ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
Telecommunication	Mobile phones.High speed lines.Base stations and smart cards.
Controllers	Inductance.Heating coils.Copying and laser equipment.
Computers and external devices	Dot matrix printheads.Printer head loops.Electronic items.
Devices	NMR analyzers.Particle counters and x-ray equipment.Infrared analyzers.
Military / space equipment	Satellites and night vision systems.Plasma displays and dashboards.Controls and radar systems.
Heavy weaponry	Torpedoes and electronic protection.Observation systems. Connection.

The nuance of manufacturing

The main difference between the technology of manufacturing flexible and flexible-rigid printed circuit boards from rigid analogs is the use of other base materials, which allows reducing the thickness of the boards and placing them on more than one plane. 

Pros of using

• Compact dimensions . The ability to manufacture models with a thickness of less than 50 microns.
• Low weight - boards are 75% lighter than rigid counterparts.
• Ease of assembly and minimization of installation errors .
• System reliability .
• High rates of dynamic flexibility and heat dissipation.
• Possibility of volumetric layout.