Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

For rigid-flex printed circuit boards (PCBs), the space joining rigid material to flex material (Transition Zone) sometimes contains imperfections that, although acceptable, could impact effectiveness of the final part. Transition zone imperfections can include any of the following:

The copper weight and corresponding thickness used in a flexible circuit board need to be carefully selected in order to meet both the electrical and mechanical bend requirements of specific flex circuit design. Copper weight for a flex PCB is both the stiffest and most critical component.

In the flexible printed circuit board manufacturing process, a flex circuit coverlay (aka coverfilm) is used to encapsulate and protect the external circuitry of a flexible circuit board.

A flexible circuit coverlay serves the exact same function as solder mask that is used on a rigid printed circuit board. The difference with a flex coverlay is the needed element of flexibility and durability it provides to the flex PCB design.

Considering using a flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) in your next project? Flex circuits offer several advantages, whether you plan to use them in a future project or for revamping your existing designs. Here we detail some of the most impactful advantages of flex PCB, including packaging, reliability, capabilities, and cost savings.