The Difference Between Flex and Rigid Printed Circuit Boards

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;

1. Single-sided Flex Circuits
2. Double Access or Back Bared Flex Circuits
3. Sculptured Flex Circuits
4. Multi-layer Flex Circuits
5. Double-sided Flex Circuits
6. Polymer Thick Film Flex Circuits
7. 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/.

4 Printed Circuit Board Design Mistake to Avoid

To Have Your Designed Printed Circuit Boards Manufactured, Visit: Super PCB

What Does It Take To Fabricate and Assemble A PCB?

In the world of electronics, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are comprehensive when it comes to their assembly and fabrication. Today, you won’t find a device that doesn’t employ the use of circuit boards as an integral part of its mechanism. However, people often make use of the electronic devices without really understanding the technology that helps make them work, i.e. the PCB.

This doesn’t matter to everyday users; however, not knowing how a PCB is assembled and fabricated; the components the circuit board is made out of etc., can cause some degree of trouble to manufacturers of electronic devices.

In the following, Super PCB, leading manufacturer of custom printed circuit boards, explains the different components and general operation of printed circuit boards.

What Are PCBs?

A PCB in its simplest form comprises of a plastic board that’s reinforced with glass. Copper lines and pads are attached to the board that are connected together and cut from a layer of copper. Known as traces, these copper lines allow the flow of electrical charge through the PCB, which then provides power to all the components situated in systematic positions on the board.

The Layers of a PCB

Single sided boards, i.e. those with only one copper layer are the simplest PCBs in the market. This doesn’t mean that copper traces can’t be installed on both sides of the board, which creates a double sided PCB. The printed circuit boards available at Super PCB are more complex extra layers are added to the original design. Such PCBs are usually used for advanced electronics.  

The Components of A PCB

If copper traces within a PCB act like its skeleton, then the components in this structure are its important organs. Just like organs in the human body, each component in a PCB has a different function. It’s because of these important components that PCBs can be used for their intended purpose in a better manner.

The following components can be found in every printed circuit board;

Battery: This helps provide voltage to the circuit.

Resistors: They control electric current as it passes through the component. Additionally, resistors are color coded as well.

LEDs: Short form for light emitting diode, these lights up when electric current flows through. In addition, this component allows current to flow in one direction only.

Transistor: This component amplifies charge.

Capacitators: These essential components are able to harbor electrical charge.

Inductor: This component helps to store electrical charge. In addition, inductors stop and change electrical current.

Diode: This essential component allows electrical current to pass through in one direction only, hereby blocking current from another.

Switches: Depending on whether these components are closed or open, switches allows electrical current to be passed through or blocked.

Knowing about how PCBs are assembled and fabricated by manufacturing companies is important. This allows people that use them for their business operations know about the high quality of PCBs. Super PCB is one such company that offers clients high quality PCBs that are assembled and fabricated using quality control standards. Ask for an online PCB quote today.

Consider These Factors Before Hiring The Right PCB Manufacturer!

To put it in the simplest form, it’s nearly impossible to imagine electronic products that we use on every day basis such as mobile phones, TVs, computers, laptops etc., without a printed circuit board. As an owner of an electronic business, it’s imperative for you to hire the right PCB supplier in order for your business operations to run smoothly.

While arranging for PCB manufacturing can be a painstaking process, it’s wise to hire the services that can provide you with the best quality PCBs in time. However, this process is not very simple unless you know exactly how to go about it.

Here are some of the most important factors that you need to take into account when hiring the right PCB manufacturer/supplier for your PCB needs:

Use of Technology

The best part about technology, regardless of the industry, is that it keeps on evolving and getting better. If you glance through the PCB market, you will find infinite options making tall claims and falling short of expectations. One important aspect to assess your options is determining their use of technology. Despite a lot of technological innovations have been made in the PCB industry, not all PCB providers capitalize on them. So, make sure you hire a PCB manufacturer/supplier that makes the best use of the advanced technology.

Industry Experience and Reputation

One of the biggest driving factors when it comes to hiring the right PCB supplier is its experience of working with various industries and the market reputation it has established over the years. Collaborate with a PCB supplier that caters the PCB needs of multiple industries such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, new energy, aerospace, medicine etc. Moreover, the kind of reputation a PCB supplier has in the market says a lot about the kind relationship you will be sharing with the outsourced partner. It’s quite obvious that you wouldn’t like to work with a company that provides you with faulty products or fails to ship you on time.

Customization

Unfortunately, most of the PCB suppliers that we have in the market offer standard PCBs at a low cost. While the low-price factor may attract you, it’s not wise to buy something that is going to be of no use for your electronics business. While your needs will vary from others, it’s important to hire a PCB supplier that can offer you custom printed circuit boards. These firms possess the capability to provide you with PCB prototypes as per your requirements and specifications.

Quality

This is one aspect that mustn’t be neglected even if you are required to a little more. If you are getting quality for a premium price, know that it’s going to be worth each extra penny. Partner with a PCB provider that possesses multiple quality certifications such as ISO: 9001, ISO/TS16949 and UL. These are some of the most elite and globally recognized certifications that guarantee quality.

Looking for a PCB prototype manufacturer that possesses all of the above stated characteristics? If yes, then Super PCB is where you should be heading. Visit their website http://superpcb.com/ for complete details about their services.

You Should Know about Rigid PCB Fabrication

Super PCB is a leading supplier of customized Printed Circuit Boards (PCB). From Fabrication of a variety of PCB Prototypes and their production to PCB assembly, Super PCB has been serving the electronic market for a decade. Super PCB provides single, double sided and multi layered, rigid, rigid-flex and flexible PCB prototypes and caters to a wide range of industries. Their customers are highly reputable companies as well as entrepreneurial start ups.

Inside A PCB: A Cross Section Analysis

It is pretty much impossible to think of electronic devices available nowadays without thinking of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). After all, it is PCBs that ultimately decide the measure of functionality of your electronic devices. The better your PCB is, the more proficiently your device is bound to run.

To ensure that you get PCBs to fit into your device, the newly fabricated PCBs have to go through a series of internal and external tests to measure their overall quality.

The internal quality of the PCBs is inspected and verified using IPC inspection guideline with a process called Cross Section Analysis (also known as Micro Section).

What Does the Process Entail?

To begin the analysis a small part of the PCB is cut out called ‘Puck’ named such because it is immediately placed in a very soft acrylic that hardens around it and begins to resemble an ice hockey puck. This makes it possible for the board to be viewed from the side under a microscope.

Cross section analysis can also be called a threefold inspection tool of the internal makeup of a PCB as it is effective for in process verification as well as a failure analysis. The sections are usually taken from coupon sets procured with the production boards. The criteria for the inspection are set by the product specification referred by the customer IPC 6012 class, MIL-PRF-55110/31032 or by the customer’s very own requirements.

The coupons are positioned on the production panels with the boards and are processed along with the production panel where they reflect the process effects that are made to the entire panel. This eliminates the need to remove a production part to verify that the board meets the criteria.

Through hole coupons are usually used to determine:

• Surface and Hole Wall Plating Thickness
• Separation of the Inner Layers
• Registration of the Drill to the Outer and Inner Layer Images
• Inner Layer Connectivity
• The Condition of the Laminated Materials Surrounding the Holes
• Other methods are also used to evaluate:
• Solderability
• Peel Strength of the Copper
• Electrical Characteristics of Inner Layer Traces
• Solder Mask
• Legend Inks

With this, the manufacturers can inspect the prepared sections at various stages of production. Through this, they can get clues to possible process issues and the viability of the boards on a specific panel.

The corrupted/poor product is separated from the batch which is identified by the markings on the coupons and boards on which the panel was fabricated. The markings also help to identify the processing specifics for boards that may be involved in future failures thus becoming a very important part of the entire process.

The second role of the cross section analysis is to act as an effective failure analysis tool. If there is any indication of internal failure then individual boards may be subjected to sectioning. A visual inspection of the section helps to identify the reasons for internal process failures but other defects such as extraneous copper, over etch, poor solder mask developing, and etc. can be identified with cross sectional views of the surface trace work, pads and solder mask.

Data that is collected during the sectioning of a single or various lots of boards can be used for process improvement as well validation of the various processing steps used to fabricate the PCBs.

When you reach out to a company to have your PCBs manufactured, make sure to ask them about their process of quality inspections.

Super PCB is a company that provides the best boards each and every time, while ensuring that their boards pass all standard quality tests. To get custom printed circuit boards, PCB prototype and so much more, visit http://www.superpcb.com right now!

All About Rigid Flex Printed Circuit Boards

Rigid Flex PCBs are Printed Circuit Boards that are composed of various rigid areas and multiple flexible areas. The rigid areas offer durability of the board whereas the flexible areas offer adaptability to the application of the board. Because of their semi flexible nature, Rigid PCBs are most commonly used in military and medical electronic equipment.

Rigid flex PCBs are comprised of a combination of different materials. The rigid areas are made up of FR4 material, whereas the flexible areas of the rigid PCB are comprised of PI or PET. The connection that joins the rigid to the flex is made up of epoxy or resin. This allows the flexible and adaptable movements.

Some of the advantages of rigid flex PCBs include resistance to high temperature, shape adaptability, chemical stability and resistance to static interference.

Types of Rigid Flex PCBs

Ordinarily, there are two types of rigid flex PCBs. 

• Semi flex printed circuit boards 
• Multi flex printed circuit boards

Semi flex boards are perfect if the number of bends is very small. They are also considered a lower cost option because the flexible areas are made up of a thin FR4 material. 

Multi flex boards on the other hand are made up of a polyimide film coating the entire surface of the board. These boards are perfect for applications that only require a very small bend. Multi flex are also known as hybrid designs as they are made up of rigid and flexible substrates. 

Multi flex boards have varied possibilities that offer designers/ engineers greater freedom when the boards are designed and when the materials are selected. Asymmetrical and symmetrical are the two basic designs that are used in multi flex boards. The term asymmetrical is used because both sides are made using different materials. 

Layer stack-up is the simplest form of any multi flex board. Here the flexible material is placed on one side and the rigid material is located on the opposite end of the board. The stack up on asymmetrical multi-flex boards is not restricted to only one layer because it can contain multiple layers. Multi flex boards with asymmetrical layer stack ups are comparatively easier and cheaper to produce.

Overall rigid flex PCBs are known as passive wiring structures. They are used to interconnect electronic components like integrated circuits, capacitors and resistors. In the consumer electronics industry, rigid flex PCBs are used in (but are limited to) cameras, personal entertainment devices, calculators and exercise monitors.

For affordable rigid flex, flex and rigid PCB fabrication, you can contact Super PCB. The company also specializes in printed circuit board prototypes. For more information, visit http://www.superpcb.com/