Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1327102
88 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2021 Flex Talk Feature Column by Tara Dunn, AVERATEK The sheer number of flexible laminate mate- rials and constructions can be a bit daunting for those new to flex and rigid-flex design. I sat down with Jeff Martin from Omni PCB for his insight into flexible laminates and his advice when working on a flex stackup. Tara Dunn: Hi, Jeff, thank you for taking time to speak with me today. Before we dive into today's topic, can you give a brief introduc- tion to what you are doing now and what your background is with flex and rigid-flex? Jeff Martin: Hi, Tara. I am currently the chief technology officer for Omni PCB. I provide our customers with a high level of negotiation and project management support, technical con- sulting, and industry insight. I have been in the printed circuit board industry for 25-plus years. A number of those years were working as a front-end engineer and project manager for flex and rigid-flex manufacturing. Dunn: That is a long history with flex materials. For the many people who are new to designing with flexible materials, can you give us a basic understanding of flexible laminates? Martin: Absolutely. Flexible laminates come in a variety of materials. Probably the most used and what people typically think of when start- ing to design a flexible circuit is polyimide Demystify Flexible Stackups