Flex Rigid PCBs Affect System Latency
Rigid-flex PCBs are a type of printed circuit board (PCB) that is designed to allow it to be bent, folded, or twisted for a specific product configuration. This allows for greater design flexibility, minimizes assembly time, and cuts overall cost. They are widely used in applications like wearables, foldable devices, and aerospace systems due to their ability to withstand vibrations and other mechanical stress.
The rigid portion of a flex rigid pcb is made of materials like FR4, polyimide, and teflon, depending on the design’s needs. Manufacturers may also use stiffeners for areas that require additional rigidity or mechanical stability. Rigid-flex PCBs typically have plated through holes (PTHs) and mounting components on both sides for improved functionality, higher component density, and optimized space utilization.
Flex-rigid pcb are more complex than other rigid PCBs, but they also offer greater flexibility in terms of their design and function. As such, they are an excellent option for high-speed or high-frequency circuits that need to operate in a curved, or bent, environment. They can withstand more mechanical stress, and they can be designed to have variable trace widths and spacing, which will help maintain signal integrity during bending and flexing.
How Do Flex Rigid PCBs Affect System Latency?
While a flex-rigid PCB can withstand more mechanical stress than a traditional rigid PCB, it can still be susceptible to failure from excessive or improper bending. This can cause the circuit to deteriorate or even melt, and it can also interfere with signal flow. To reduce this risk, it’s important to use careful design and manufacturing techniques for the flexible portions of the PCB. This includes ensuring that the copper layer thickness, length, and spacing are consistent throughout the circuit, and using appropriate routing techniques to avoid signal loss or interference.
In addition, it’s important to choose a suitable adhesive for laminating the rigid and flexible sections of the PCB together. The choice of adhesive can affect the rigid-flex PCB’s durability, thermal resistance, and performance. It’s important to test the adhesive’s bonding strength and compatibility with the selected fabrication process before committing to it.
Another consideration for a flex-rigid PCB is that it’s often more expensive to manufacture than a traditional rigid one. This is due to factors like the additional layers, material costs, and rigidity requirements. However, there are some things that can be done to reduce the cost of a flex-rigid PCB, such as minimizing the number of layers, reducing material thickness, and lowering the trace width and spacing.
Another way to decrease the price of a flex-rigid circuit is to reduce the amount of copper that’s needed in the rigid sections. This can be done by using a thinner copper layer, and by choosing a pad-only plating method. This will enable you to get the same conductor quality, without sacrificing the flexibility of your circuit board. It’s also a good idea to use an online PCB calculator, such as the one offered by PCBway, to find out how much your design will cost to make.
