1. The essence of a rigid-flex board lies in using the FPC as one or two circuit layers of the PCB and then selectively milling away parts of the PCB’s rigidity, leaving only the flexible sections.
2. What are soft and hard boards?
3. The advent and evolution of FPC and PCB have led to the creation of the rigid-flex board. This board combines flexible circuit boards (FPC) and rigid circuit boards (PCB) through processes such as pressing, resulting in a circuit board that incorporates the characteristics of both FPC and PCB.
4. Advantages and disadvantages:
5. Advantages: The rigid-flex board offers the benefits of both FPC and PCB. This dual functionality is ideal for products with specific requirements, as it provides both flexible and rigid areas. This design can optimize internal space, significantly reduce the finished product’s volume, and enhance overall product performance.
Disadvantages: The production process for rigid-flex boards is complex, resulting in lower yield rates and higher material and labor costs. Consequently, the price is relatively high, and the production cycle is longer.
1. Rigid-flex boards are expensive—why use them?
When designing hardware, cost is not always the primary factor.
First, reliability: Rigid-flex boards address the reliability issues associated with FPC installations. Connectors used with FPCs can introduce installation costs, convenience issues, and reliability concerns, such as short-circuiting or disconnection. In Hikvision’s mass-produced tube machines, rigid-flex boards eliminate these installation reliability issues by integrating the FPC directly.
Second, overall cost: Although the per-unit area cost of rigid-flex boards is higher, they eliminate the need for connectors, reduce installation time, and lower repair rates, ultimately improving productivity and reliability. For mass-produced items, this can be a cost-effective choice.
Thus, the calculated cost:
Rigid-flex board area * Rigid-flex board unit price – processing time cost – FPC loosening and repair costs * loosening probability – management cost due to fewer single board types compared to original PCB area * PCB unit price + FPC price + connector price.
Third, signal quality improvement: Since rigid-flex boards eliminate connectors, wiring continuity and signal integrity are enhanced. Traditional IPC designs use FPCs and connectors to link sensor and control boards, while rigid-flex boards integrate these components, addressing various issues and meeting structural design needs.
2. Design considerations for rigid-flex boards:
A. Consider the bending radius of the flexible board; overly small radii can cause damage.
B. Reduce the total area by optimizing the design to lower costs.
C. Account for the three-dimensional structure after installation.
D. Optimize the number of layers in the flexible wiring design.
2. What are soft and hard boards?
3. The advent and evolution of FPC and PCB have led to the creation of the rigid-flex board. This board combines flexible circuit boards (FPC) and rigid circuit boards (PCB) through processes such as pressing, resulting in a circuit board that incorporates the characteristics of both FPC and PCB.
4. Advantages and disadvantages:
5. Advantages: The rigid-flex board offers the benefits of both FPC and PCB. This dual functionality is ideal for products with specific requirements, as it provides both flexible and rigid areas. This design can optimize internal space, significantly reduce the finished product’s volume, and enhance overall product performance.
Disadvantages: The production process for rigid-flex boards is complex, resulting in lower yield rates and higher material and labor costs. Consequently, the price is relatively high, and the production cycle is longer.
1. Rigid-flex boards are expensive—why use them?
When designing hardware, cost is not always the primary factor.
First, reliability: Rigid-flex boards address the reliability issues associated with FPC installations. Connectors used with FPCs can introduce installation costs, convenience issues, and reliability concerns, such as short-circuiting or disconnection. In Hikvision’s mass-produced tube machines, rigid-flex boards eliminate these installation reliability issues by integrating the FPC directly.
Second, overall cost: Although the per-unit area cost of rigid-flex boards is higher, they eliminate the need for connectors, reduce installation time, and lower repair rates, ultimately improving productivity and reliability. For mass-produced items, this can be a cost-effective choice.
Thus, the calculated cost:
Rigid-flex board area * Rigid-flex board unit price – processing time cost – FPC loosening and repair costs * loosening probability – management cost due to fewer single board types compared to original PCB area * PCB unit price + FPC price + connector price.
Third, signal quality improvement: Since rigid-flex boards eliminate connectors, wiring continuity and signal integrity are enhanced. Traditional IPC designs use FPCs and connectors to link sensor and control boards, while rigid-flex boards integrate these components, addressing various issues and meeting structural design needs.
2. Design considerations for rigid-flex boards:
A. Consider the bending radius of the flexible board; overly small radii can cause damage.
B. Reduce the total area by optimizing the design to lower costs.
C. Account for the three-dimensional structure after installation.
D. Optimize the number of layers in the flexible wiring design.
