Printed CircuitBoards or simply PCBs are one of the more important concepts in electronics;
yet people often forget what a PCB is.
It is an electronic circuit, comprising of thin strips of a
conducting material (mostly copper), that has been etched from a layer that is,
in turn, fixed to a flat insulating sheet. This is the printed circuit board
where integrated circuits and other components are also attached. The use of
this board’s base is to physically support and provide wiring to surface
mounted components that can be found in most electronics. Other than this, PCBs
are used in the aerospace, automotives and telecommunications industries among
others.
Most people looking to design a printed circuit board often
get confused over the types available. PCB manufacturers, such as Super PCB,
produce online quotes for both flexible PCBs and rigid PCB fabrication.
Let’s explore the difference between the two;
What Are Flexible Circuits?
Also known as flex circuits or flexible electronics; it’s a
technology by which electronic circuits are assembled with the help of mounting
electronic devices on flexible plastic substrates (polyimide, PEEK, or transparent
conductive polyester). Identical components that are used to produce rigid
printed circuit boards are used for the assembly of flexible electronics. This
enables the flexibility quality of the board during usage.
The Applications of Flexible Circuit Boards
Often used as connectors in various applications, flex
circuits makes it easier where flexibility, space savings and/or production
constraints are limiting use of rigid circuit boards. Computer boards are the
most common application is which these boards are used.
In addition, most flex circuits act as passive wiring
structures and are used to interconnect electronic components (integrated
circuits, resistors, capacitors, etc). However, they can also be used to
interconnect other electronic assemblies - either directly or with help from
connectors.
Types of Flexible Circuit Boards
As far as flex circuits are concerned, following are its
different types;
- Single-sided Flex Circuits
- Double Access or Back Bared Flex Circuits
- Sculptured Flex Circuits
- Multi-layer Flex Circuits
- Double-sided Flex Circuits
- Polymer Thick Film Flex Circuits
- Rigid-Flex Circuits
The Closest To Rigid Printed Circuit Boards Are Rigid Flex
Most people don’t realize this; but rigid circuit boards aren’t manufactured anymore. The rigid flex is a sort of hybrid printed board as both flexible and rigid board technologies are used in its production. Most boards (rigid flex) are made of multiple layers of flexible circuit substrates that are attached to one or more rigid boards either externally and/or internally. This depends on the intended design of the application.
When it comes to designing printed circuit boards, rigid flex are more challenging than designing a typical rigid board environment. The boards are designed in a 3D space which is why spatial efficiency is increased as well as ability to twist, fold and roll the design of flexible board substrates to achieve the desired shape.
There’s a reason why PCB design and production should only be given to an expert PCB fab house. Too often, minor errors during the design process make a project far more costly due to delays. When in doubt, always go for the best. For more information on PCB manufacturing, visit http://www.superpcb.com/.
