Flexible PCB

A breakdown of a flexible circuit shows that it consists of 3 basic elements: copper foil, dielectric material and adhesive. Most of the manufacturing proceses, i.e. imaging transfer, plating and etching , are quite similar to those used when producing plated-through boards. However, there're differences due to the thin and floppy material used in flexible circuits.

Purpose of Flexible Circuits

1) To provide interconnections between printed circuit boards and other components.

2) To serve as three-dimensional substrates for the mounting of SMT components, e.g., in

photographic and video cameras.

3) To establish interconnections capable of withstanding dynamic flexing.

4) To form part of rigid-flex circuit boards.

Advantages

1) Flexibility

2) Volume decreases

3) Weight reduces

4) Consistency of SMD mounting

5) Reliability increases

6) Controllability of electrical design of parameters

7) Tin soldered overall on the FPC end

8) Material optional (PI, PET)

9) Low cost

10) Continuity of processing

Applications

Thin-film switch, capacitive touch screen / panel, keypad FPC, laser head FPC,

General purpose LED soft light strip, mobile phone built-in antenna FPC Touch screen,

Telephone receiver / earphone FPC, contact belt of inkjet printer, Toy lamp strip,

LCD module, instrument panel, flexible flat cable, display backlight etc.

Flex PCB Capability