Benefits Of Using Flexible Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers

James Hayley
3 min readDec 11, 2019

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Anything technologically advanced is generally better than its predecessor. There was a time when rigid printed circuit boards were the only reliable components needed to create electronic gadgets. With the advent of the flexible PCB, technology reached incomprehensible heights. Today, a smartphone is capable of doing everything that a computer could. Rigid-flex circuit boards provide you with the freedom of designing your circuitry to fit any device. Conversely, you can also design a device that can accommodate the flex PCB. Flexible circuit boards offer multiple benefits to manufacturers that use this technology. Here you will learn about a few of those advantages.

  1. Improving flexibility: Why did PCB designers come up with the idea of making them bendable? The flexible printed circuit board manufacturers were searching for ways to save room while improving flexibility. The invention of flex PCBs allowed many devices to become portable and small. Besides, such PCBs reduce the time required to complete the assembly process. Flexible circuit boards further enhance the reliability of a machine. Briefly put, without flexible circuits, it isn’t possible for the miniaturization of electronic gadgets.
  2. Ease of packaging: A regular rigid PCB requires a unique form of packaging. The size of the container of a PCB will depend on the size and shape of the board. Naturally, it is understandable how problematic it can be to customize the packaging of every component. On the other hand, flexible printed circuit manufacturers say that flex PCBs can fit in almost anywhere. Statistics prove that flex PCBs can save more than sixty percent of weight and space when compared to regular rigid PCBs.
  3. Excellent performance: Yes, flexible circuits are much better than the rigid ones when you consider electric performance. Flex PCBs have a low dielectric constant that allows the transmission of electric signals. It isn’t possible to say the same for rigid PCBs. Flexible circuits also have superb thermal properties that make it easy for the components of a machine to cool down. Besides, the melting point or high glass transition temperature lets the components operate perfectly even when the temperature is high.
  4. Output and assembly reliability: Flex circuits have a higher assembly reliability and output than rigid PCBs. The former reduces the hardware required to establish an internal connection. Upon assembly, flexible PCBs increase the dislocation capability of components. It happens because the traditional interconnecting hardware becomes a complex system of multiple components.
  5. Bendable factors: You already know that you can move and bend a flex PCB without damaging it. They have different outlines and they can go in any kind of package. The only limitation of a flex PCB is its volume. Since it can withstand dynamic bending, manufacturers apply it in parts that move continuously. For instance, a flip-phone’s flexible circuit board allows you to flip the device open innumerable times.

Bottom line

Flexible PCBs are an integral part of almost every electrical device whether it is a regular household item or anything else. Smartphones, televisions, computers, clocks, microwave ovens, and every other machine have printed circuit boards in their hearts. The medical industry, navigation devices, military technology, and almost every other industry needs PCBs. The benefits mentioned above bear truth to this fact.

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