Flexible circuit boards (or flexible PCBs) open up a whole range of possibilities in the development of electronic devices. Flexible circuits allow you to fit great things into small, smartly designed packages, enabling you to reduce the amount of space used by more than half. With their durability and high heat tolerance, flexible circuit boards allow you to craft lighter, more efficient electronics. Even more convenient, flex circuits help you save money by reducing production costs. Flexible PCBs require less labor to assemble, reduce the likelihood of production errors, and do not require the costly task of wiring.
Flex circuits are most commonly seen in three different formats: flex, rigid, and a combination of the two (rigid-flex circuits). They're also standard behind-the-scenes equipment in a wide variety of industries, such as automotive, medical, energy utilities, data and consumer electronics.
Flexible circuits or flexible circuit board equipment are easy to find online from reputable flex circuit suppliers. These flex substrate suppliers can provide you with top-notch flex circuits that offer a number of advantages:
1. Flexible circuit boards cut assembly costs.
2. They provide packaging solutions by reducing package size and opening up design options.
3. Flexible circuits withstand high temperatures by more efficiently distributing heat.
4. You can save on space and weight with flex circuits.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Look into flex circuits that integrate both flexible and rigid technologies
Rigid-flex circuits can provide even more versatility to your electronic design by increasing the number of flexible circuit layers and upping your product's reliability. Reviewing a range of flex circuit companies can help you find the right rigid flex PCB.
I recommend: In addition to a number of other flex circuit options, PCB manufacturer
Multek offers rigid flex PCB technology, as does flex substrate supplier
Advanced Circuits.
Consider completely rigid circuit boards
These cards, which range in size and capability, can help you construct the reliable innards of computers, video adapters and more.
I recommend: Take a look at
Innovative Circuits Inc.'s complex rigid circuit board offerings, as well as products from flex substrate supplier
Elva PCB Group.
Buy circuit board connectors for flexible circuits
Get these hook-ups that connect your flex circuits to circuit boards for even more versatility in design and function.
I recommend: Z-Axis Connector Company offers flex circuits connectors, as does
FCI, which offers connectors for 26 different categories of flex and rigid circuits.
Find great flex substrate suppliers
For more options in finding the right flex circuit boards and supplies, look into specialized companies, which you can easily locate online.
I recommend: Try
King Circuit if you're on the hunt for more complex and exotic flex circuit board configurations, or
Uniflex Circuits for different flex circuit construction options.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Look into bend-flex designs, the newest form of flexible PCBs. This design offers great versatility because it bends once to conform to a design but then retains all the properties of a rigid circuit board.
- For maximum ease and efficiency, make sure to begin designing your flex circuit while the design of your product is still in its early stages. That way, you'll be able to craft a flex circuit design that properly conforms to your product's capabilities without an abundance of prototypes.
The official source of Flexible Circuits is the Flexible Circuits page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Flex CircuitsFind flex circuits in Digi-Key's online catalog, featuring thousands of electrical components, parts and products from hundreds of manufacturers.
www.digikey.com
Lenthor Engineering; The Flex & Rigid-Flex ResourceFlex & Rigid-Flex circuit design, fabrication and assembly. Thinking Flex, Think Lenthor. Making things flexible in a rigid world.
www.lenthor.com
Flex CircuitsOffers quickturn PCBs and flex circuits PCBs in 5 days or free, plus free tooling! Call us for a quote.
www.4pcb.com
Flexible CircuitsOffers flexible PCB fabrication with extensive experience in manufacturing high technology flex and rigid flex high designs.
www.hughescircuits.com
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