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What You Should Know About Flex And Rigid-Flex PCBs

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It seems like just about every piece of machinery requires circuit boards now. If your business relies on circuit boards, consider switching to flex and rigid-flex PCBs. They have many amazing benefits, and they are perfect for every device. If you are interested in learning more, check out these five must-know facts.

Different Boards Are Designed to Bend More Often

One of the great benefits of flex and rigid-flex PCBs is that they are flexible, making them more versatile than rigid boards. However some flex and rigid-flex PCBs are more flexible than others. In some cases, you may only need to flex the board when installing it, but in other cases, the board may need to flex repeatedly. Static boards are designed to bend less often: 100 times or less, making them an excellent choice if you only have to bend to install. Dynamic boards, on the other hand, can be regularly bent thousands of times.

They Can Fit Just About Everywhere

With flex and rigid-flex PCBs, you don't have to alter the entire shape of your device just to fit the circuit board. Instead, you can have the board shaped to fit wherever you need it to fit. Combining regular printed circuit boards and round wire, flex and rigid-flex circuits can be designed to your specifications. Two other features that allow these boards to fit just about everywhere is that they don't take up much space, and they are extremely light. They are so thin that you can even bend them to fit into even tighter places.

They Are Extremely Durable

Just because they are light and thin, however, does not mean you have to sacrifice durability and quality. They don't have all the connections that other boards require, so there is less chance of a connection breaking or failing. Another great feature is that they have anti-vibration. Thanks to the flexibility of these boards, vibrations are easily absorbed, which reduces the amount of wear and tear on the board from repeated minute movements.

Flex and Rigid-Flex PCBs Withstand High Temperatures

Flex and rigid-flex PCBs can withstand extremely hot and cold temperatures well. The materials used cool faster than other materials, so when the board does get hot, it can eliminate the heat faster to cool quicker. The materials are also less likely to expand and contract when exposed to different temperatures. In fact, the material used in flex and rigid-flex PCBs is polyimide, which is commonly used in the space and aerospace industry because it withstands extreme temperatures better than many other organic materials.

They Can Save You Money

Despite their many amazing benefits, flex and rigid-flex PCBs can actually save you money. Polyimide itself is extremely cheap, which helps reduce the cost of these boards, but the savings don't end there. Because they can be so small and thin, less material is needed to make the boards. Not only does this mean it costs the manufacturer less to make the board, but it also costs them less to package and ship. Lastly, flex and rigid-flex PCBs take less time to assemble and there are fewer chances for errors, which increase the time and cost to make the board. All these savings are passed on to you when you purchase them.

Flex and rigid-flex PCBs are cheap, durable and can fit just about anywhere, making them the perfect choice for anyone who needs circuit boards. If you are ready to make the switch to these incredibly flexible and versatile boards, don't wait. Contact a manufacturer in your area, such as Streamline Circuits, and get a quote or have all your questions answered.  


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