The advantage of the rigid-flex board lies in its combination of both FPC and PCB characteristics. This makes it suitable for products with specific requirements. It features both flexible and rigid areas, which is beneficial for conserving internal product space, reducing the overall volume of the finished product, and significantly enhancing product performance.
However, the drawbacks of rigid-flex boards include their complex manufacturing processes, challenges in production, lower yield rates, and higher material and labor costs. As a result, they tend to be more expensive, and the production cycle is longer.
1. Rigid-flex boards are not inexpensive. Why opt for them?
When designing hardware, cost is often not the primary concern.
First, reliability: Rigid-flex boards effectively address the reliability issues associated with FPC installations.
FPCs are typically connected via connectors, which can lead to installation costs, challenges in convenience, and reliability issues, such as short-circuiting and disconnections. In the design of Hikvision’s mass-produced tube machines, after installing the FPC, repair soldering is required between the FPC and PCB. Rigid-flex boards eliminate these installation reliability concerns.
Second, the overall cost:
1. Rigid-flex boards, despite the increased cost per unit area, effectively save on connector expenses, reduce installation time, lower repair rates, and enhance both productivity and reliability. The use of mass-produced products often leads to significant cost reductions.
2. Thus, the calculated cost is as follows:
Rigid-flex board area * Rigid-flex board unit price – processing time cost – (FPC loosening and repair cost * loosening probability) – (whether the management cost from fewer single board types exceeds the sum of the original PCB area * PCB unit price + FPC price + connector price).
3. In PCB layout and design, it’s essential to improve signal quality effectively.
Since connections are not made via connectors, wiring continuity is enhanced, resulting in better signal integrity. Traditional IPC typically employs FPCs and connectors to link the sensor (video sensor) board with the main control board. However, integrating the main control board and sensor board through rigid-flex boards addresses numerous issues and satisfies the structural design requirements of the drum machine.
4. Design considerations for rigid-flex boards include:
A. The bending radius of the flexible section must be taken into account; a radius that is too small may lead to damage.
B. It’s important to minimize the total area, optimize the design, and lower costs.
C. Consideration of the three-dimensional space structure post-installation is necessary.
D. The optimal design for the number of layers in the flexible wiring section should be evaluated.
5. Future advancements in 3D printing may allow for the production of PCBs with unconventional shapes, potentially addressing the limitations of FPCs and rigid-flex boards.
Such advancements could simplify installation, enhance reliability, and allow for more varied designs that are less prone to damage. Whether 3D printing will revolutionize traditional PCB manufacturing remains to be seen.
However, the drawbacks of rigid-flex boards include their complex manufacturing processes, challenges in production, lower yield rates, and higher material and labor costs. As a result, they tend to be more expensive, and the production cycle is longer.
1. Rigid-flex boards are not inexpensive. Why opt for them?
When designing hardware, cost is often not the primary concern.
First, reliability: Rigid-flex boards effectively address the reliability issues associated with FPC installations.
FPCs are typically connected via connectors, which can lead to installation costs, challenges in convenience, and reliability issues, such as short-circuiting and disconnections. In the design of Hikvision’s mass-produced tube machines, after installing the FPC, repair soldering is required between the FPC and PCB. Rigid-flex boards eliminate these installation reliability concerns.
Second, the overall cost:
1. Rigid-flex boards, despite the increased cost per unit area, effectively save on connector expenses, reduce installation time, lower repair rates, and enhance both productivity and reliability. The use of mass-produced products often leads to significant cost reductions.
2. Thus, the calculated cost is as follows:
Rigid-flex board area * Rigid-flex board unit price – processing time cost – (FPC loosening and repair cost * loosening probability) – (whether the management cost from fewer single board types exceeds the sum of the original PCB area * PCB unit price + FPC price + connector price).
3. In PCB layout and design, it’s essential to improve signal quality effectively.
Since connections are not made via connectors, wiring continuity is enhanced, resulting in better signal integrity. Traditional IPC typically employs FPCs and connectors to link the sensor (video sensor) board with the main control board. However, integrating the main control board and sensor board through rigid-flex boards addresses numerous issues and satisfies the structural design requirements of the drum machine.
4. Design considerations for rigid-flex boards include:
A. The bending radius of the flexible section must be taken into account; a radius that is too small may lead to damage.
B. It’s important to minimize the total area, optimize the design, and lower costs.
C. Consideration of the three-dimensional space structure post-installation is necessary.
D. The optimal design for the number of layers in the flexible wiring section should be evaluated.
5. Future advancements in 3D printing may allow for the production of PCBs with unconventional shapes, potentially addressing the limitations of FPCs and rigid-flex boards.
Such advancements could simplify installation, enhance reliability, and allow for more varied designs that are less prone to damage. Whether 3D printing will revolutionize traditional PCB manufacturing remains to be seen.
