As the name suggests, flexible printed circuit boards have physical flexibility. These PCBs are widely used in mechanical sensitive devices because their flexibility allows circuit boards to resist vibration. Flexible PCBs are more durable than traditional circuit boards, but their manufacturing process is sensitive and complex.
Due to its lightweight design, the circuit board can be shaped according to the outer shell, which can fit into a small volume. The overall size of the final product can be reduced. Flex PCBs eliminate excessive use of wiring harnesses and connectors in PCBs.
Flexible PCB Applications
Rigid plates have added some limitations in product design as they cannot be installed in limited spaces. Circuit boards need to have vibration resistance in products that are often subjected to mechanical impact.
Flexible PCBs are more suitable for this situation as they can be bent and wrapped if needed. They can survive in harsh temperatures ranging from -200 to 400 degrees Celsius. Compared to traditional circuit boards, these functions make flexible circuit boards more reliable and durable.
Computers and accessories
Flexible PCBs are very powerful in terms of signal and atmospheric conditions. The hard drive in the computer contains a Flex PCB. Due to these PCBs providing high data transfer rates on physically small circuit boards. Other electronic devices, such as printers, calculators, and laptop LCDs, are usually designed with flexible PCBs for similar reasons.
aircraft
The electronic systems of airplanes are often filled with cables and need to be lightweight. A typical Airbus contains nearly 100 kilometers of cable, while a helicopter contains approximately 12 kilometers of cable. There can be no compromise in terms of reliability and performance of aircraft systems. Flexible PCBs reduce weight and can significantly improve even under mechanical impact, making them an ideal choice for airplanes.
automobile
As time goes by, automotive products become increasingly compact. Flexible PCBs add compactness to their design, as regardless of their shape, these PCBs can be placed in limited space and still work efficiently. Flex PCB enables designers to produce lightweight products while maintaining product performance.
Flexible PCBs are commonly used in engine management computers, airbag controllers, and other electronic components of automotive products. Due to the frequent exposure of cars to high temperatures, which is tolerable for flexible PCBs, these circuit boards have modern automotive products.
mobile phone
Mobile phones are small in size, but they have many functions. Have you ever thought about how to design dense circuits in such a compact shell? Flexible PCBs can achieve synchronization of multiple components while minimizing space requirements.
Connecting wiring harnesses or rigid plates for synchronizing components is disadvantageous because the size and shape of the phone are limited. In addition, mobile phones will heat up, and traditional circuit boards cannot withstand high temperatures. In addition, Flex PCBs have added waterproof features to their design.
Nowadays, mobile phones and digital books are developing flexible PCBs, which is a major technological breakthrough. Imagine packaging a phone or bending the pages of a digital book? It is impossible to use rigid PCBs. With the advancement of technology, flexible PCBs are also constantly developing, and we hope that in the near future, we can bend mobile phones like pages.
Medical Electronics
Medical electronic products require high precision and durability. The wearable devices currently being developed are typically developed using Flexible PCBs, which make them suitable for host use due to their flexibility.
Today, wearable devices are used to track physical health, and these gadgets are very compact and exquisite. Flex PCB can implant sensors on patient skin and monitor results on smartwatches or mobile phones. The revolution in wearable medical devices was brought about by flexible PCBs.
Medical devices typically need to be placed inside the human body, such as pacemakers or pill cameras that are often exposed to extreme atmospheric conditions and flexible PCBs that are most suitable for this situation.
Rigid PCBs have a large volume and cannot use shape changes and low performance during high signal transmission, which makes them unfavorable for medical electronic products.
Recent research on Flex PCBs has enabled scientists to develop Flex PCBs that are more suitable for medical devices. These PCBs are developed using organic materials to provide more suitable quality for prosthetic components. Compared to flexible traditional PCBs, these circuit boards are more flexible, which is exciting for the development of high-performance prosthetics.
Industrial Application of Flex-Rigid PCBs
Flexible PCBs can withstand extreme weather conditions and perform well even in harsh environments. RF devices typically use Flex PCB designs because the robust characteristics of these PCBs ensure that signal strength is not affected.
In addition, industrial machines and distribution control systems also use Flex PCBs.
sensor
Flex PCBs have revolutionized sensors, as modern sensors are manufactured on flexible PCBs, reducing their size. These sensors can be placed in limited and irregular spaces, suitable for design or more compact products.
military equipment
Most modern military equipment uses Flex PCBs such as radar systems in Military vehicle. The control system in military grade equipment requires high signal and conductivity path robustness. Due to the fact that equipment must be used at extreme temperatures, weather conditions often make it difficult to withstand rigid PCBs. In addition, military equipment is often affected by vibration and mechanical stress, which is easily tolerated for flexible PCBs. For these reasons, Flex PCB is the most suitable for military equipment.
