For example, how do you determine whats more important. We do one thing design flex and rigid flex circuits for oems and flex manufacturers. With five factories and an interconnect technology lab in china, multek enables customers success globally and in a variety of product applications. Business business, international computers and office automation circuit printing printed circuit boards printed circuits. For reliability, designers must create flex circuits that are neither too thick nor. Neutral bend axis this is a key concept in flexible circuit design.
Ever since we boasted about producing flex prototypes in 15 days, we have been inundated with requests to prove it. Flex circuits can be shaped to fit where no other design and round wire, exhibiting benefits of each. Understand that flex and rigidflex design rules are different. Flex circuit and rigid flex circuit design, fabrication and assembly. Rolled annealed copper is used for flex circuits because it is more flexible than the electro deposited copper used for printed circuits. For hybrid circuit design, including polymer thick film circuits, see also chapter 8. Rigid flex pcb design guidelines printed circuits llc.
A premier global supplier of flexible circuits, rigid flex, flexible heaters, flat flex, and membrane switches. They are a hybrid of ordinary printed circuit boards and round wire, exhibiting benefits of each. Altium designer rigid flex guidebook for pcb design. Includes circuit layer and coverlayer design guidelines for both flex and rigid flex circuits, as well as technical drawings and capabilities for both. Flex circuit type is determined by the number of conductive layers. An introduction to rigid flex pcb design best practices. Flex and rigidflex circuits emi shielding flex circuits. No pth in the bending area with flex circuit boards.
Technology and design rules for flexible printed circuits. Assignment complete design project package submit by week 7, lecture 2. Replace multiple hardboards and connectors with a single flexcircuit or rigidflex circuit. The technical information details our standard manufacturing capabilities but note, we also consider various flex designs that are outside. Applications which go beyond our standard design rules require technical clarification with our product management. Some applications require the board to be rigid, flexible, or both. Rigidflex circuits a guide book for designers 6 flexcircuit materials. Complete inhouse flex circuit and rigid flex circuit turnkey and consignment assembly. Flex and rigid flex fundamentals, the new book on flex rigid flex printed circuit boards by american standard circuits is a must have desk reference for any pcb designer, oemodm, contract manufacturer and pcb fabricator.
We can point out cost drivers as well as material selection. The circuits must then use additional films usually pi or pet, sometimes flexible solder mask ink for coverlay. Minco takes pride in manufacturing flex circuits that are. Much of what we concern ourselves with in flex circuit design at pfc is mechanical because the circuit is. In many cases, particularly when it comes to prototypes in areas like the internet of things, youll have unique pcb design requirements that do not fit into any of the above categories. One of the general rules of thumb regarding price considerations is that whenever you go overboard the conventional design rule and fabrication norms, you are going to add to the cost of the circuit.
Flexible circuit technology, 4th edition iconnect007. Successful flex circuit design and processing guidelines flex007. Documents for manufacturing flex rigid circuit boards basically, standards must be regarded such as ipc2223, ipc60, the basic design guide from wurth elektronik, as well as variantspecific design rules and our drying recommendations. There are basically different ways to create a system. Large credit is due to the efforts of japanese electronics packaging engineers who have found countless new ways to employ flexible circuit technology. We offer highly reliable, flexible, printed circuit and assembly solutions singlesided, doublesided, multilayer, rigid flex and sculptured flex. Flexible circuit technology, fourth edition by joseph. The most important attribute compelling design ers adopt flex circuit technology is the capability of the flex circuit to assume threedimensional configurations. We go where others willflexible circuit not and heater.
Figure 51 designing with a bias for copper improves the circuit s dimensional stability. In fact, we even beat our own expectations by producing standard flex pcb prototypes in 5 days or. This rigid flex guide book, and the new design capabilities within altium designers pcb editor for rigid flex design, reflect a commitment to that openness. Today, flexible circuits which are also variously known around the world variously as flexible printed wiring, flex print, flexi circuits, are used many products. Useful for backoftheenvelope circuit design and to give insight into results of synthesis. Ruminating rigidflex dos and donts of flex circuit.
I like the printed circuits handbook because its kind of like wikipedia meets printed circuit board design and fabrication. Designing flexible circuits is sponsored by all flex. Figure 524 patent drawings of a novel high density flexible circuit based connector. A combination of flexible and rigid substrates laminated into a single package presents unique challenges and opportunities. Cds has developed electrically intelligent flex layout eda tools for the most demanding flexible circuit requirements. While using this guide, keep in mind that the design information provided is only a suggestion. The top pcb layout design rules for rigidflex pcbs tempo. This e book discusses common flex design issues and how to catch them. Process challenges and system applications in flex. Because rigid flex designs eliminate connectors, connector assembly, and increase reliability and process yields. We shall discuss in this chapter the partitioning of the circuitry, the problem of interconnecting traces, parasitic components, grounding schemes, and decoupling.
Flex circuit technology is rapidly growing in popularity, especially on mobile devices, due to its ability to help meet space and weight constraints. Design rules for flexible printed circuits, tolerances, information and produtcion capabilities for fpc printed circuit boards calculate and order online deutsch english. Thank you for deciding to download our free flexible circuit design guide. Jul 24, 2015 rigid flex circuit anchored during installation. Flex circuits and rigid flex designs by tom woznicki at flex. Printed flex circuits fpcs flexible printed circuits. Flex and rigidflex products are inherently different from some of the things youre going to be doing for rigid boards, says. Flex circuit design guide the purpose of this design guide is to enable you to design a highquality, manufacturable flexible printed circuit. We think you will find the information contained in this guide to be a valuable tool during your next flex circuit design. In essence, flexible circuits give you unlimited freedom of packaging geometry whi\ le retaining the precision density and repeatability of printed circuits. Other mechanical aspects that affect a flex circuit are size and shape, thermal properties, and mechanical stability in key areas. Design guides and rules pattern design of folder area 1l pattern 2l pattern no adhesive area.
Lecture 2 will be a simple project on how to define a flex design. As a technology leader, i know i can count on sierra to fabricate using even the most advanced process design rules whenever i need to, and to. We go where others will flexible circuit not and heater. The flex designer suite provides tools to speed up the design of flexible printed circuits which have traditionally needed the requirement of precise mechanical measurements. Please respect the basic design guide of wurth elektronik for design rules regarding structures, via sizes and soldermask. Foreword sierra protoexpress amit bahl sierra protoexpress december 20 the past year or two have been very challenging in the printed circuit board industry. The technical information details our standard manufacturing capabilities but note, we also consider various flex designs that are outside of our typical. In essence, flex circuits give you unlimited freedom of packaging geometry while retaining the precision density and repeatability of printed circuits. If possible insertion of wide copper tracks for tear protection c g g r. This book teaches the essentials of pcb designthe same standards and techniques used in the field, but collected in one place.
Proto express sierra circuits printed circuit board. Successful flex circuit design and processing guidelines. When it comes to printed circuit board assemblies pcbas, the same is true. Previous editions of the book have proved a valuable resource for those new to the technology and. Flexible circuit technology past, present and future. Additionally, flex circuits can be screen printed silver circuits on polyester. Know it all newnes know it all darren ashby, bonnie baker, ian hickman, walt kester, robert pease, tim williams, bob zeidman on. This rigidflex guide book, and the new design capabilities within altium designers pcb editor for rigidflex design, reflect a commitment to that openness.
Regard distances of drill holes and smd pads to flexrigid transition, see wurth elektronik design rules. Below are some of the ways that a flexcircuit can solve your designpackaging problems. I take the kindle version with me everywhere i travel as a referenceresource. Each supplier may have its own set of design rules and recommendations. Learn about the specific design guidelines, materials and uses that you should consider. Rigid flex, like altium rigid flex, can have many benefits, and many designers are at least considering it today who previously did not have to. Located in silicon valley, we serve the biggest tech industries. We would be pleased to help you in delivery panel design for rigid flex solutions. Pcb design is all about managing tradeoffs in the planning and layout stages, and a hybrid highspeed and rigid flex design. Flex and rigidflex fundamentals, the new book on flexrigidflex printed circuit boards by american standard circuits is a must have desk reference for any pcb designer, oemodm, contract manufacturer and pcb fabricator.
With a little experimentation and imagination, a flex circuit can save up to. Rigid flex combination of circuit board and flexible circuit provides improved reliability through reduced interconnects. All flex engineers have significant experience in the flexible circuit and flexible pcb industry. Flexible circuits provide four major benefits over rigid pc boards. Quick turn flex pcb prototypes in 5 days or less flex. Flex pcb design drawing requirements sierra circuits. Do you need flex circuit design assistance for a particular project.
Flexible circuits are a highgrowth technology in the area of electrical. Read about covid19 and flexible circuit technologies. Below are high level rules of thumb for a static and dynamic circuits. Build a flex circuit mockup the dynamic nature of flex circuits allows for a multitude of design options. However, we shall discuss those aspects of the design connected to choice of technology, components, pwb layout and production on pcbhybrid circuit level. True arcs can be used in any entity in a design with accurate design rule checking. The course was written by john michael pierobon, who has an advanced engineering degree from purdue university. Figure 51 designing with a bias for copper improves the circuits dimensional stability. General circuit design is outside the scope of this book. Developing a rigid flex printed circuit board is difficult enough, but when that pcb has highspeed signals as well the design can get complicated. This 12 layer flex circuit board has better shelf life than a 12 layer bonded circuit board. Pi and pet films, as well as thin flexibleepoxyandglassfibre cores, form common substrates for flex circuits. The all flex design guide is a significant tool that you will find very helpful in designing a highly reliable flexible circuit optimized for all flex manufacturability.
Designing of a flex circuit has to take into consideration the mechanical aspect of bending and potentially cycling the circuit. For many years, the industry simply lacked a good design guide for flex circuits, says bob sheldon, applications engineering manager at santa ana, calif. An introduction to rigidflex pcb design best practices. When a low voltage printed circuit meaning, 5 to 600 volts, is designed and manufactured it is more about spacing and circuit design than material, as all printed circuit materials can support up to volts. Flexible circuit technology, 4th edition chapter summaries. Tolerance setting flex circuit designs proper application of tolerances of. We offer quick turn flex pcb prototypes in 5 days or less. Rigidflex, like altium rigid flex, can have many benefits, and many designers are at least considering it today who previously did not have to. The basic rules of flexcircuit design have been tested and proven, but there are. Whether you are a novice in the area of flexible circuit design or a long time user, we lend our expertise providing comprehensive support from concept to completion.
Table 51 tolerance guidelines for standard flex circuit manufacture. We can provide the 12 layer flex circuit board with book binding in width 44 mil, with minimum finish thickness 0. All flex design guide the all flex design guide is a significant tool that you will find very helpful in designing a highly reliable flexible circuit optimized for all flex manufacturability. Top 5 pcb design guidelines every pcb designer needs. The flex designer suite is available with other tools to complete a flex circuit from schematic to layout and routing to gerber. A via is a metalized through hole that connects the conductive layers of a flexible circuit. In the past, seasoned pcb designers bypassed rigid flex circuit design by connecting two rigid pcbs with a flexible cable. Robertson wrote printed circuit board designers reference. Flex circuits fall into 3 classes per ipc60 based on the level of inspection and testing required, and also by the performance require ments of the finished product. Iconnect007 the printed circuit designers guide to. Design guides and rules bonding sheet design folder area no adhesive area no adhesive area 45 o bs design by drawing for prevention of defect bs design if the border line type of no adhesive area part is vertical, it can cause short or open circuit problem.
What are the best books for learning how to design. A rigid flex board is a hybrid of hardboard and flexible circuits. Pcb design and layout will also be affected by your planned circuit density and line spacing. Design of flexible printed circuit boards is often more challenging than traditional boards because flex circuits have unique design for manufacturability dfm requirements that are not wellsupported by traditional pcb design software. The circuits must then use additional films usually pi. Flex pcb design has many advantages, but with these come new design challenges that werent present in standard 2d pcbs.
How to ensure your design complies with complex flex circuit. Before embarking on a flex circuit design, it is important that a holistic overview of the. Coppercladded film usually polyimide that is chemically etched to produce a specific circuit pattern. Sep 17, 2018 this is a general question but i will give u a specific answer for yur better understanding. This is something most designers understand, but the continuous need to innovate, especially for. Balancing these various expectations depends on a clear understanding of the factors that affect flex circuit performance. Flexible circuit technology is squarely in the sights of circuit designers around the globe and is a key. Design guidelines for highly reliable flexible printed circuits optimized for. From telecommunications, mobile, wearables, and computing to automotive, medical, aerospace, and industrials, multek is. Single side flexible pcb single side flexible pcb cover layer type cover lay cover lay copper foilcopper foil polyimidepolyimide adhesiveadhesive. Multek is a valueadded manufacturer of rigid, flexible and rigid flex printed circuits, and offers printed electronics. Quick turn flex pcb prototypes in 5 days or less flex pcb. Much of what designers have learned about pcb design comes into question when they start their first rigidflex pcb.
What are the best books for learning how to design electronic. Flex circuit design is part mechanical and part electrical. Thus, the emphasis will not be on the reliability of the flexible board materials but on providing solid signal return paths that preserve signal integrity. Sierra circuits is a pcb manufacturing and assembly house created in 1986. For flex, annular rings need to be larger for flex rather than rigid.
John michael has taught hundreds of technical courses throughout the world, and speaks several languages fluently. The design of the printed circuit board can be as important as the circuit design to the overall performance of the final system. In this last blog post, i want to show a handful of important rules to follow when routing copper for flex and rigidflex circuits, that not only increase the fabrication yield but also the reliability and lifespan of the flex circuit. To address this situation, pcb design authority christopher t. A flex toinstall pcb design can incorporate beefier ground planes than if the design were for a dynamic flex board.
There are plenty of books that drill deeper on specific topics. Four layer flex circuit polyimide coverlay adhesive plated copper through hole copper layer 2 solder access hole polyimide coverlay double layer flex circuit copper layer 1 plated through vias techetch can provide circuits with plated through vias. In order to maximize quickturn benefits, these need to be presented as part of the design drawings early in the design process. The immersion gold plating offers low contact resistance, good wetting, as well as excellent shelf life. Nearly all transistors in digital cmos circuits have minimum l. Cmos technology and logic gates mit opencourseware. Class 1 circuits have the minimum inspection, testing and perfor mance requirements.
Flexible printed circuit boards flex circuit board. Surprisingly, as soon as the project involves any volume over 100 units, a rigid flex circuit design becomes the obvious choice. Flexible electronics, also known as flex circuits, is a technology for assembling electronic circuits by mounting electronic devices on flexible plastic substrates, such as polyimide, peek or transparent conductive polyester film. Altium designer 14 3d clearance checking of flex mounted. Leading up to now, weve looked at rigidflex circuit materials, fabrication, and some aspects of design.
Medium voltage boards of typically 600 to 3000 volts require greater care in. We also offer a full range of integrated services comprising design, dfm, dft, prototypes, production manufacturing, hand and automated assembly, as well as testing. Ruminating rigid flex dos and donts of flex circuit circuit design part 3 today, designers face increasing project requirements for densely populated electronic circuits including pressures to reduce manufacturing times and costs, writes ben jordan of altium, in the third of a. Design rule checks, the fab usually has to call the designer or engineer to clarify issues that. Flexible circuit board design flexible printed circuit boards has put together design specialits in flex that can take your drawing from a snapkin to produce manufacturable cad files in one day if necessary.