Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBs

Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBs


PROTOTYPE & PRODUCTION
  • Trace and space capabilities down to.003"/.003" (0.5 oz.), .004"/.004" (1 oz.).
  • Microvia diameter from .003"
  • Lead times as short as 5 days.
  • Multiple Offshore partners quoting system to offer excellent pricing (ISO:9001 certified).
  • Selective plating of gold on the same flexible circuit.
  • Minimum Tolerance of ZIF Connector to Edge of Flex +/- .003".
Pricing Information
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Flex PCB and Rigid-Flex Circuits

Flex Circuits, usually known as Flex PCB, are changing the way that electronics industry is creating new products, initially developed to replace wire harnesses, the Flexible Circuit technology is now breaking the old fabrication paradigms where the size of the PCB was a determining factor in electronics designing.

Through the years PCB Unlimited has built a network of manufacturing partners that include the most Flex PCB savvy factories offshore and in the US. Offering a wide range of high quality solutions, from single sided Flexible Circuits to Rigid-Flex boards, at the best prices.


Flex PCB technology applications

At today's world Flex Circuits can be found almost anywhere from gadgets as laptops, tablets, cell phones and smartwatches to airplanes and unmanned vehicles. The list of applications for Flexible Circuits keeps growing and growing.

We provide Flex PCB solutions to companies from the following industries:

  • Aerospace
  • Automobile industry
  • Computers
  • Consumer electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Medical instruments
Aerospace
Automobile industry
Computers
Consumer electronics
Telecommunications
Medical instruments

Flex PCB Technology Benefits

There is a large list of benefits offered by the Flexible Circuit Technology, it can considerably improve the physical characteristics of a design by reducing both weight and size. The cost and performance advantages of using Flexible Circuits are also points that engineers and designers keep in mind, since this technology is able to offer the following benefits:


PERFORMANCE VS RIGID PCB

  • Superior heat dissipation.
  • Dynamic Flexing.
  • Lower inductance (vs traditional wiring systems).
  • Superior package density.

COST VS RIGID PCB

  • Wiring harnesses substitution that lead to wiring errors elimination.
  • Improved reliability.
  • Assembly time and effort reductions that lead to drops in the final assembly costs.

Flex Circuits Stack-ups

SINGLE SIDED FLEX CIRCUITS

Consisting of a single thin conductive layer, hot-pressed and glued together with a flexible dielectric film to provide electrical insulation and protection from the elements, a single sided Flex PCB is the most basic and most common type of Flex Circuits.

single side flex circuits

DOUBLE SIDED FLEX CIRCUITS

Starting with a Polyimide film as a base layer, two separate conductive layers are then glued and hot-pressed together to both sides of the film. Plated Through Holes (PTH) are used to interconnect the copper layers, and additional layers of polyimide on both sides of the panel brings insulation to the double sided Flex Circuits.

double side flex circuits

MULTILAYER FLEX CIRCUITS

Containing three or more conductive layers, Multilayer Flex circuits manufacturing is performed combining double and single sided Flexible constructions, using adhesive layers to bond them together and interconnecting them by means of plated Vias. Circuit protection and electrical insulation is provided by a Coverlay (usually Polyimide).

multi layer flex circuits

RIGID-FLEX FLEX CIRCUITS

Rigid-Flex Circuits are obtained by laminating together flexible and rigid substrates, providing the design not only with strength but with dynamic adaptability as well. The rigid parts are often used to carry components and the flex substrates serve as interconnection paths.

rigid flex circuits

Materials

Polyimide Films 0.5 mil (.0005"), 1 mil (.001"), 2 mils (.002"), 3 mils (.003"), 5 mils (.005")
Polyester Films 2 mils (.002")
Adhesiveless Base Polyimide: 0.5 mil (.0005") – 5 mils (.005") Copper: 0.5 oz. (.0007") – 2oz. (.0028")
Copper Foils 0.5 oz. (.0007"), 1 oz. (.0014"), 2 oz. (.0028")
Adhesives Acrylic/Modified Acrylic, Phenolic Butyral, Modified Epoxy
Surface Finish Solder (hot air leveling or electrolytic plating), Electroless Au and Ni
Stiffeners FR-4, polyimide, metal, or customer supplied
Other Materials or Finishes Contact us at: support@pcbunlimited.com

Capabilities

Max. Panel Size 250mm * 450mm
Layer Count 0-6
Minimum Trace Width/Spacing .003"/.003" (0.5 oz.)
.004"/.004" (1 oz.)
Minimum Trace to Route Edge Dimension +/-0.005"
Minimum Route Dimensional Tolerance +/-005"
Minimum Tolerance of ZIF Connector to Edge of Flex +/-003"
Minimum Feature to Feature Dimensional Tolerance +/-0.003"
Minimum Corner Route Radius 0.010" +/-0.0005"
Minimum Inside Radius 0.006" +/-0.0003"
Minimum Hole size +/-0.006"
Minimum Slot Width 0.008"
Minimum Annular Ring Size 0.014"
Minimum Space Between Coverlay Openings 0.010"
Minimum Legend Line Width 0.007" (preferred)
Edge of Coverlay Opening to Trace 0.007"
Minimum Inner Diameter or Thermal Reliefs 0.010" (drill size)
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