Flexible Circuit Boards/Flex PCBs
Flexible printed circuits (Flex PCBs) offer a variety of physical and electrical interconnect solutions that are not possible with rigid PCBs. At Juniper FPCBs, we offer comprehensive flexible circuit manufacturing and assembly services, whatever small quantity or large quantities.
Flexible PCBs, or flexible printed circuit boards, use polyester or polyimide resins as substrates. Their unique ability to bend, fold, and adapt to a variety of shapes enables them to meet the specific needs of a wide range of applications, including wearable devices, medical equipment, automotive electronics, flexible displays, aerospace technology, and telecommunications.
The core of a flex PCB consists of a thin film that supports a copper circuit. FPCs are known for being lightweight, flexible, thin, compact, and having a high wiring density. These properties provide great design freedom for electronic devices, minimizing wasted space and enabling device miniaturization.
Therefore, flex PCBs are ideal for small high-tech products such as laptops, mobile phones, PDAs, and other information devices where space efficiency and performance are critical.
Flexible PCBs We Manufacture
- Single or double-sided circuits, multiple flex PCB circuits, rigid-flex circuits
- Polyimide-Based Flexible PCBs, Polyester-Based Flexible PCBs, Adhesive-Based Flexible PCBs (Adhesive-based and adhesiveless constructions)
- Surface finishes include anti-tarnish, immersion silver, tin, solder, electroplated nickel/gold(Nickel-Gold Plating), and Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold(ENIG)
- Film stiffeners/ Polyimide Stiffeners/Stainless steel stiffeners/Aluminum Stiffeners
- Dynamic Flex PCBs, Static Flex PCBs, High-Density Interconnect (HDI) Flex PCBs, High-Frequency Flex PCBs, battery flex PCBs, sensor flex pcbs
- EMI shielding
- Sculptured flexible PCB
- Heavy copper flexible circuits, copper weight can be up to 10 OZ.
- Polyimide flexible heaters
- Kapton polyimide heaters
- Long and large flexible circuit boards up to 2000mm
- Turnkey flex PCBs
- COB flex PCBs
- Wire bonding flex PCBs
- Quick turn flexible PCBs
- No MOQ/MOV prototype
Common Types of Flexible PCBs
- Single-sided flexible circuit board
- Double-sided flexbile circuit board
- Multilayer flexible circuit board
- Rigid-flex circuits board
- HDI (High-Density Interconnect) flex circuit board
What is single and Double-Sided flexible PCBs?
Single-sided flexible PCBs have a single conductive layer of metal (usually copper) on a flexible substrate and ideal for simple circuits, where components are mounted only on one side.
Double-Sided Flexible PCBs have two conductive layers on either side of the flexible substrate. They have vias to connect circuits on both sides, allowing for more complex designs.
Multilayer Flex Circuit
Multilayer flex PCBs are essential in fields where advanced, reliable, and space-efficient electronic solutions are needed. Their ability to support complex, high-density interconnections in a flexible format makes them ideal for these specialized and custom applications.
- Consist of three or more conductive layers separated by insulating layers on a flexible substrate.
- Allow for complex circuit designs, higher component density, and improved signal integrity.
- Used in advanced applications like medical devices and aerospace due to their flexibility and capability to handle intricate circuitry.
- View our full capabilities of flex PCBs and rigid-flex circuits or contact us to learn more.
What is Flexible PCBs/flex circuits?
Flex PCBs are electronic circuits fabricated on flexible substrates like polyimide or polyester, allowing them to bend, fold, or twist. Their structure typically includes one or more conductive layers separated by insulating materials, all on a flexible base. This design enables the flex PCBs to conform to various shapes, making them ideal for compact and irregularly shaped devices.
What are the difference between flex PCBs and rigid PCBs?
Material:
- Flex PCBs: Made with flexible substrates like polyimide, allowing them to bend and fold.
- Rigid PCBs: Made with rigid substrates like FR4, which cannot bend or flex.
Design Flexibility:
- Flex PCBs: Can conform to complex shapes, ideal for compact, irregularly shaped devices.
- Rigid PCBs: Fixed in shape, suitable for flat, stable structures.
Weight and Space:
- Flex PCBs: Lighter and thinner, saving space in compact designs.
- Rigid PCBs: Typically thicker and heavier, used where space is less constrained.
Durability:
- Flex PCBs: Absorb vibrations, more resistant to mechanical stress.
- Rigid PCBs: More robust in stable environments but can crack under stress.
Cost:
- Flex PCBs: Generally more expensive due to complex manufacturing.
- Rigid PCBs: Cheaper and easier to mass-produce.
Applications:
- Flex PCBs: Used in wearables, medical devices, aerospace, and other dynamic environments.
- Rigid PCBs: Common in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and large-scale electronics.
What are the advantages of flexible pcbs?
- Space-Saving: Thin and lightweight, ideal for compact designs.
- Flexibility: Can bend, fold, or twist to fit complex shapes.
- Durability: Absorbs vibrations, resistant to mechanical stress.
- Reduced Connections: Fewer interconnects lead to higher reliability.
- Thermal Management: Better heat dissipation compared to rigid PCBs.
- Design Versatility: Suitable for dynamic applications like wearables.
- High Signal Integrity: Reduced signal interference in complex circuits.
What is the difference between rigid flex and flex with stiffener?
Rigid-Flex PCBs vs. Flex PCBs with Stiffeners
Structure:
- Rigid-Flex PCBs: Combine rigid and flexible sections into a single, unified board. The rigid sections are typically made from materials like FR4, integrated with flexible circuits.
- Flex PCBs with Stiffeners: Consist of flexible circuits with additional stiffening materials (like polyimide or FR4) applied to specific areas for added support, but the stiffeners are not part of the electrical circuit.
Integration:
- Rigid-Flex PCBs: The rigid and flex parts are electrically connected, allowing circuits to flow between them seamlessly.
- Flex PCBs with Stiffeners: Stiffeners do not have electrical functionality; they only provide mechanical support.
Design Complexity:
- Rigid-Flex PCBs: More complex and expensive to design and manufacture, as they require precise alignment of rigid and flex layers.
- Flex PCBs with Stiffeners: Simpler to design and less costly, with stiffeners added only where needed for reinforcement.
Application:
- Rigid-Flex PCBs: Used in complex devices requiring both flexibility and rigid mounting, like smartphones, cameras, and aerospace equipment.
- Flex PCBs with Stiffeners: Used where localized rigidity is needed, such as around connectors or components, but where overall flexibility is still required.
Durability:
- Rigid-Flex PCBs: More robust in demanding environments, providing a permanent and reliable connection between rigid and flexible sections.
- Flex PCBs with Stiffeners: Offers targeted durability, useful for specific areas but not as structurally integrated as rigid-flex designs.
Bespoke Development
Ready to create your custom Flex Printed Circuit? Contact us for a quote or a design consultation today!
