Rigid Flex PCB – Types of PCB
Rigid flex PCB is a hybrid combination of a Rigid PCB and a Flex PCB. Simplest rigid-flex printed circuit board consists of a rigid and a flexible Circuit Board.
Rigid flex PCB is a hybrid combination of a Rigid PCB and a Flex PCB. Most simple form of a rigid-flex printed circuit board consists of a rigid circuit board joint to a flexible circuit board.
Rigid flex circuit boards consist of both rigid and flexible substrates that are laminated together to form a single circuit board. Double sided or multilayer Rigid Flex Circuit Boards are interconnected by plated through holes (PTH).
Rigid Circuit Board is made of solid substrate with copper tracks and component layouts where Active and Passive Electronic Components (Through-Hole, SMD Components or Mixed PCB Assembly) are soldered either by automated Through Hole Soldering Technology like Wave Soldering or Automated Surface Mount Technology (SMT) like Reflow Soldering. Hand Soldering can also be done.
Substrate of a flexible board is made of flexible plastic (thin insulating polymer film), polyimide or a similar polymer or Kapton. Conductive copper circuit is printed on this substrate and a protection coating of thin polymer is applied to protect the circuits. Generally SMD Components are soldered on a Flexible PWB.
Table of Contents:
Rigid Flex PCB Manufacturing Process
Rigid-Flex PCBs are very complex to design and manufacture. Most such boards are designed in a 3D space. Manufacturing process involves following steps:
- The process starts with designing Layout of the PCB using any PCB designing software / CAD Tool (Proteus, Eagle, OrCAD).
- Next steps are combination of manufacturing process of Rigid PCB and Flex PCB.
How to Make a Rigid PCB (Printed Circuit Board) – Step By Step Guide
https://youtu.be/io2jsHlBNG8
Benefits of Rigid Flex Printed Circuit Board
- Advantage of both rigid and flexible PCB
- Reduced space and weight
- Better electrical connection reliability
- Eliminates many solder joints and wiring
- More freedom in 3D design
- Less number of electronic components
- Cost effective in handling and transportation
- Complete testing before installation
Uses of Rigid Flex PCB
These boards offer benefits of both rigid and flex PCB. They are reliable, flexible, space saving and light weight. Hence, many electronic companies in the world use these boards in several electronic devices and gadgets. Following are some of the uses of a Rigid Flex Circuit Board:
- Military weapon
- Aerospace
- Mobile phone and Tablet
- Laptop and Computer
- Digital camera
- Medical devices
- Pacemaker
- Testing and measurement equipment
- Automobile
- All advanced applications
Rigid PCB Vs Flex PCB
Related Posts
- Types of PCB | Different Types of Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
- Single Sided PCB
- Double Sided PCB
- Multilayer PCB
- PCB Vs PCBA – What is the Difference
- Top 10 PCB Manufacturers in USA
- Flex PCB Manufacturing Process
- Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
- Top 10 PCB Assembly Companies in USA
- Printed Circuit Board Prototype
- Top 10 PCB Manufacturers in China
- Electronic Components, Parts and Their Function
- Basic Soldering Guide – How to Solder Electronic Components
- SMT Surface Mount Technology
- RoHS Guide in Electronics: RoHS, WEEE and Lead-Free FAQ
14 Responses
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid flex printed circuit board consist of both rigid and flexible substrates that are laminated together to form a single circuit board. Double sided or multilayer Rigid Flex Circuit Boards are interconnected by plated through holes (PTH). Read All About: Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid-Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid Flex Printed Circuit Board – These types of PCB are hybrid combination of a Rigid PCB and a Flex PCB. Both rigid and […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB or rigid-flex PCB is Circuit Board with combination of flexible PCB and rigid PCB. […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid-Flex PCB […]
[…] Surface Mount Technology offers Great Flexibility in terms of PCB Material and Design. Flex PCB and Rigid-Flex PCB are possible only because of […]
[…] Rigid Flex PCB […]
[…] Rigid-Flex PCB […]