Rigid-Flex PCBs

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Rigid-Flex PCBs

Rigid-flex Circuits(Rigid-Flex PCB)

微信截图_20240812205813.pngRigid Flexible Circuit (Rigid-flex circuit board, Rigid-flex pcb) is a circuit board composed of Rigid circuit board and Flexible circuit board. It is selectively interconnected by an epoxy pre-preg bonding film and electronically connected via plated through holes (PTH) and vias, almost resembling a multi-layer flex circuit.


Areas requiring extra support are designed as rigid, while corners and areas demanding additional space and flexibility are designed as flexible. Therefore, it can enjoy the advantages of both rigid boards, such as rigidity and flatness, and flexible circuits, such as flexibility and bendability. Rigid-flex circuits provide higher component density and better quality control.


Typically, the rigid parts made of FR4 PCB can have one layer to multiple layers, and on the outer layers, most of the FR4 PCB will have one layer to multiple layers in most instances. The vital part is the flexible circuit that connects the Rigid PCB, which can also be one layer or multiple layers. Currently, we are capable of manufacturing rigid-flex circuits with over 50 layers.

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Rigid-flex Circuits

Here are stacks up of normal 6L rigid-flex circuits (2L FR4 PCB +2L FPC +2L PCB) and you can see, normally the inner layers are flexible circuits which are easier to be made and have lower price.
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Rigid flex circuits have been used in the military and aerospace industries for more than 20 years. In most rigid-flex circuit boards, the circuitry consists of multiple flexible circuit inner layers. However, a multilayer rigid-flex circuit incorporates a flexible circuit layer externally, internally or both as needed to accomplish the design. I-TECH can also manufacture rigid-flex circuit with outer layers to be flexible circuits.

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Contact us for  more stacks up of rigid-flex circuit boards .

Rigid-flex PCB is different from a multi-layer flex circuit. with stiffeners by having conductors on the rigid layers. Plated through holes (PTH) extend through both rigid and flexible layers, so that DIP components can be soldered on the circuit more firmly, and it has more flatness and stability.

 

Advantages of Rigid Flex Circuit


  1. High-Density Applications: The rigid area of a rigid flex circuit is employed for high-density device placement. Additionally, finer line widths and spacings are permitted in flexible circuits, enabling higher density. Denser device layouts and lighter conductors can be incorporated into a product, creating space for additional product features.

  2. Broader Applications: Advances in rigid circuit board technology have expanded the applications of electronic products, ranging from communication, computer, and consumer electronics to medical, automotive, and military electronics.

  3. The increasing demand for more powerful and smaller products drives the need for multiple layers to accommodate denser, finer line widths and spacings, and smaller hole sizes.

  4. Highly Complex Configurations

  5. Fewer Electronic Components Required

  6. Reduced Interconnections

  7. Reduced Package Size and Weight

  8. Furthermore, the air gap widely utilized in multi-layer flex circuits can also be employed, and other features such as controlled impedance (insert impedance-control.htm), EMI shielding, panelization, stiffeners, PSA, and Circuit Assembly (SMT) are also available.








 

Rigid Flexible Circuit Capability

 

  1. As a professional manufacturer of rigid flexible circuit board in China, We always try to improve our capability to produce more rigid-flex circuit board to our customers. Here is major capability: 

  2. 1-10 flexible layers; multiple flex layers in either bonded or air gap configuration

  3. 1-32 Rigid layers

  4. Flex Core Materials: Polyimide (PI): 1/2 mil to 4 mils in either adhesive or adhesives constructions

  5. Copper thickness: 1/3 OZ – 2 OZ RA or ED type (insert material/copper-foil.htm) in flexible circuit; 1/2OZ to 10 OZ in rigid circuits;

  6. Coverlays: 1/2 mil to 2 mils polyimide

  7. Stiffeners material: polyimide, FR4, stainless steel, aluminum,copper

  8. Rigid Materials: 130, 170, 180 TG FR4, low flow prepreg

  9. EMI/RF shielding films

  10. Blind and buried vias available

  11. Any layer available 

  12. Controlled impedance: 50 ohm, 90 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 110 Ohm and other value

  13. Surface finishing: ENIG, ENEPIG, gold plating, gold fingers (3-30u” Au), Immersion silver

  14. IPC 6013 – Class II & Class III available

  15. Customer Quality Standard is Top Priority, We Fully understand for The Special Characteristic and Requirement from Customer,Which is Identified by Our engineering Team and QA  Customer Standard Team.


Rigid Flex Circuit Manufacturing Process:

Manufacturing of rigid-flex PCB is much more complicated than other types of flexible circuit, here are simple manufacturing steps for your reference:

Manufacturing of rigid-flex PCB steps for your reference:

We offer a wide range of sizes of rigid flexible circuit boards with different layers. All Rigid-Flex Circuits are subjected to electronic testing that reflects all Gerber data to ensure continuity and meet other data requirements.


We can provide fast prototypes within 3 to 7 days, ensure on-time delivery, and guarantee excellent quality for you. Please contact us today for more information about rigid flexible circuits.


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