16+ Years of Expertise in Rigid Flex PCB Manufacturing
- DuPont Pyralux® AC, AG, AP, HT, TA/TAS; Ventec ThinFlex
- Panasonic FELIOS R-F770/R-F775, SHENGYI SF201, 202
- 2-40 Layers Rigid Flex PCB with Blind/Buried Vias
- Impedance Control, Back Drill, Vias Plugging
- Balanced & Unbalanced Structures
- Silver Film & Silver Ink EMI Shielding
In the early days, before sleek phones, flat-screen TVs, and advanced automotive infotainment systems, electronics were bulky and limited in functionality. Over time, electronic technology has revolutionized industries like healthcare, aerospace, communications, and transportation. Devices such as wearables, computer screens, and robotic systems now rely on Rigid Flex PCBs, which require precision manufacturing. A trusted Rigid Flex PCB manufacturer is essential to meet these demands.
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What is a Rigid-Flex PCB?
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Rigid-Flex PCBs combine flexible circuits and traditional rigid boards. The structure includes flexible layers embedded within rigid circuit layers, bonded with prepreg, a glass-reinforced dielectric material cured by heat and pressure. This hybrid design provides the advantages of both flexibility and mechanical stability.
Advantages of Rigid-Flex PCB Boards
Weight Reduction:
The flexible portion of the rigid-flex PCB reduces its overall weight, making it ideal for portable devices that require lightweight components.
Enhanced Flexibility:
With both flexible and rigid circuit elements, rigid-flex PCBs fit into complex geometries and small spaces, offering design flexibility. Flexibility is measured by how much the material can bend and how many times it can be flexed without damage, depending on the design, layers, and overall construction.
Compact Devices:
Designers can eliminate bulky connectors and cables, streamlining the product’s form factor.
High Reliability:
The rigid portions offer mechanical stability, while the flexible sections absorb stress, enhancing the PCB's durability and reliability under mechanical and thermal stresses.
Applications of Rigid-Flex Circuit Boards
Rigid PCBs are widely used across industries, including:
Medical Devices:
Pacemakers and medical implants benefit from rigid-flex PCBs due to their compact size and low volume.
Military Equipment:
Weapon systems use lightweight rigid-flex PCBs to optimize performance and reduce fuel consumption.
Industrial Applications:
Popular in CNC machines and motors, rigid-flex PCBs provide flexibility for equipment requiring rotational and mechanical movement.
Consumer Electronics:
Wearables such as smartwatches, ear pods, and fitness trackers utilize rigid-flex PCBs, combining portability with performance. Other devices like smartphones and gaming consoles also benefit from this technology.
How Are Rigid-Flex PCBs Fabricated?
The process of rigid-flex PCB fabrication involves several key steps:
Lamination:
Flex layers are laminated with rigid sections using adhesive, heat, and pressure, adhering to strict material specifications.
Drilling:
Mechanical or laser drilling creates precise holes for interlayer connections, using Gerber files as reference points.
Copper Plating:
Drilled vias are plated with copper to establish electrical connections across layers.
Etching:
Unnecessary copper is etched away, leaving only the required circuitry through photolithography.
Solder Mask:
A protective green coating is applied to insulate and protect the PCB, isolating conductive pads.
Surface Finish:
Various surface finishes, like ENIG, OSP, or HASL, are applied to protect copper pads from oxidation.
Silkscreening:
Information such as fiducial marks and assembly instructions are added using photolithography or laser printing.
Electrical Testing:
A final test ensures the PCB meets all electrical requirements before shipping.
Why Choose ESPCBA as Your Rigid Flex PCB Manufacturer?
Choosing a rigid-flex PCB supplier is a vital decision. As a manufacturer with 16+ years of experience, we provide both turnkey and consigned fabrication services worldwide.
High-Quality Standards:
Our tightly controlled processes meet ISO9001, TS13485, and UL standards. We ensure that only compliant products leave our facility.
Competitive Pricing:
We offer competitive pricing to maximize client profitability. Our transparent pricing discussions ensure mutual benefit for all parties.
Reliable Products:
Our rigid-flex PCBs are designed and tested to withstand operating conditions, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Technical Expertise:
With a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and a team of experts, we collaborate with clients to address any issues during the design and production process.
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Looking for reliable SMD assembly services? At ESPCBA, we’re your trusted partner for PCB fabrication, component sourcing, and electronic manufacturing. With over 16 years of experience, we’ve provided high-quality PCBs at competitive prices to over 1,000 customers worldwide. Our company is ISO9001:2015 certified and UL listed, and every product we deliver is 100% E-tested and inspected using AOI and X-ray to meet the highest standards. Get an instant quote from our sales team today, and let us handle the rest for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we offer fast turn services. Our normal lead time is 2-4 weeks, with expedited options available.
Rigid-flex PCBs are used in industries like telecommunications, consumer electronics, wearables, IoT, robotics, automotive, medical, aerospace, and military sectors.
They combine the strengths of both rigid and flexible PCBs, allowing for assembly of numerous small components and offering mechanical flexibility.
Yes, we provide both rigid-flex circuit fabrication and assembly services.
Rigid-flex PCBs use flexible materials, are bendable, and offer different functionalities compared to traditional rigid boards. They are also more expensive due to their complexity.