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74 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2022 A rigid-flex design is typically made up of two or more rigid areas that are interconnected by a flexible strip. e synergistic property of the rigid and flex elements allow the PCB to be bent or folded in applications. Rigid-flex PCBs are getting more attention in recent years, due to the demand for more compact, shock-resistant, and robust electron- ics. A rigid-flex design eliminates the need for connectors and interconnecting cables. Rigid- flex PCBS are also easier to install, as the entire design is manufactured on a single PCB. Material Considerations for Rigid-Flex PCB Design You'll want to consult your PCB manufacturer before starting a design. Depending on whether the PCB is meant for dynamic bend or stable bend, the choice of copper type, the number of layers, bend radius, and coverlays may differ. A dynamic bend rigid-flex PCB is installed in an environment where it will constantly be subjected to bending. erefore, it is recom- mended to use no more than two layers and ensure that the bending radius is at least 100 times the material thickness. Meanwhile, it's possible to have up to 10 to 20 layers for a rigid-flex PCB that's meant for stable-bend installations. It is not subjected to repeated bending force and that means a smaller bending radius of about 10 times its material thickness is also possible. Rigid-Flex PCB Design Guidelines For all the advantages of a rigid-flex PCB, they also bring about challenges for PCB designers. Not only do designers need to deal with the electrical aspects of a design, but they also need to consider the mechanical dynamics of the PCB. If you happen to be working on a rigid-flex PCB, the following guidelines will save you from committing costly mistakes. Figure 2: Talk to your manufacturer to ensure you select the right material for your rigid-flex design.