E-NEWSLETTER l Flex / Rigid-Flex
October 2022
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

This month our focus is on Flex and Rigid-Flex. 


The fastest growing market segment for PCBs is Flex and Rigid-Flex which makes a great deal of sense when you consider all the useful applications this technology can be used for. From laptops to medical equipment, automotive and especially robotics, there is no mystery as to why these types of PCBs are so popular and are being frequently designed into new products.

We saw the value and the potential of Flex and Rigid-Flex technology several years ago which is why we decided this was a technology we must invest in.

Since then, we have equipped our facility and increased our capabilities, and our capacity, to handle the ever-growing demand for Flex and Rigid-Flex boards. 

We have also invested in customer focused tools such as The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals and DFM guidelines, as well as numerous newsletters like this one to help readers learn more about the technology and produce better, more manufacturable, data packages.

We hope you enjoy the latest newsletter dedicated to Flex and Rigid-Flex technology. Be sure to check out our latest articles below.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or anyone of our team if you have any questions or comments about this important technology.

As always, we thank you for your business.


Sincerely,

Anaya Vardya
President and CEO
American Standard Circuits

Upcoming Webinar November 2nd:

PCB Designers Toolbox: Rigid-flex Design Practices

Laura Martin, Director of Technology at Insulectro dives into some critical IPC rigid-flex design specifications that impact reliability, manufacturability, and cost. You will learn not only what these specifications are, but why they exist, how they affect your board, and what the consequences are if you break them.

November 2nd, 2022 11:00 AM Central Time
(US and Canada)

Designing for Bending:
Understanding the Important Issues 

Bending and flexing are hallmark functions of a flex circuit, whether the circuit is bent once or flexed millions of times. Understanding specific design rules for flex circuits is crucial for success in the field. 

The first thing to keep in mind is perhaps the most obvious: The thicker the cross-section of the material stack in the bend area, the less flexible it will be. It is important to keep the area where bending or flexing is to occur as thin as possible. Ideally it should be a single metal layer, if possible. This is especially true for dynamic flex circuit applications. 

In other applications where simple bending to shape is required, thickness is less important, up to a point. There is a minimum optimal bend radius which is largely a function of the properties of the copper foil. The less ductile the copper, the larger the bend radius should be. 
Our Latest 77 Second Webinars
View our latest 77 second videos. This month, two terms that are important in Flex and Rigid-Flex: Flex Bend Radius and Flex Bookbinder Construction

UPCOMING TRADE SHOWSU

At Medica 2022 we will be in Hall 16, Booth F10-1
We will be at PCB Carolina November 9th, McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC

Our Free E-Books:
17,000 Downloads and Counting!
Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals

Fundamentals of RF/Microwave PCBs

PCB Fundamentals

Thermal Management: A Fabricators Perspective                 
Our Experts are one reason why American Standard Circuits is North America's leading independent PCB fabricator. Our entire experienced and professional staff is ready and able to make your next PCB project easy!