Rigid Flex Rigid PCBs for High-Temperature
Rigid flex rigid pcbs combine the best attributes of traditional printed circuit boards with flexible circuitry areas. They are designed to withstand significant amounts of mechanical stress, vibration, and other physical impacts that may otherwise damage or disrupt the functionality of an electronic product.
Rigid-flex PCBs are often used for critical applications like medical and aerospace equipment that require high durability, reliability, and performance. These devices are exposed to harsh environments with elevated and fluctuating temperatures. Using low-quality PCBs in these applications can introduce dangerous safety hazards and lead to malfunctions, which can endanger the lives of users or compromise the performance of the equipment. The use of subpar PCBs can also lead to significant liability, regulatory issues, and increased maintenance costs.
Unlike flexible PCBs, which can be bent and folded only once or twice, rigid-flex PCBs are designed to be partially or completely curved. This flexibility allows designers to incorporate circuitry into a device’s housing or other physical enclosure, and it allows the circuit board to conform to the dimensions of its surrounding environment. Rigid flex PCBs are also capable of supporting mounting components on both sides, increasing component density and allowing for greater design optimization in smaller electronic assemblies.
Because they are made from stiffer materials, rigid-flex PCBs can withstand significant physical stresses and vibrations. Additionally, the hybrid construction of rigid-flex PCBs provides greater thermal stability, which reduces the risk of heat fatigue and cracking in hot or cold environments. These features contribute to the high durability and reliability of rigid flex rigid pcb in demanding environments.
Rigid Flex Rigid PCBs for High-Temperature Applications
The hybrid design of rigid-flex PCBs makes them a great choice for integrating complex circuitry in a compact and rugged device. They are often used for a wide variety of applications and industries, from consumer electronics to military and aerospace equipment. Some common commercial examples include foldable wearables that monitor vital signs, health devices that track fitness data, and portable computing systems.
While rigid-flex rigid pcbs have many benefits, they aren’t right for every application. The complex construction and expensive raw materials used to make these boards can increase their manufacturing costs and reduce yields, which can impact project budgets and timelines. Additionally, if the design requires multiple signal layers and the circuitry must be able to bend or fold in places, it’s necessary to take extra care to ensure that the layer transition from rigid to flexible sections is smooth and seamless to avoid impedance mismatches and other issues.
To address these concerns, it’s important to design a flex-rigid PCB with the highest possible layer count and use an air gap technique to maintain flexibility. It’s also recommended to route traces perpendicular to the bend axis, which will eliminate stress points and prevent traces from breaking when the PCB is bent or folded. Finally, it’s a good idea to add protective coatings on selected portions of the board to improve its chemical resistance to oils, hydrocarbon solutions, dust, and other contaminants.