Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1507356
70 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2023 pose remains the same: to provide a stable platform for electronic circuits that simplifies their manufacturing through more efficient processes. But necessity continued to drive invention, and human ingenuity responded with the next step—the rigid-flex circuit board. Interestingly, electronic circuits started out as flexible boards 100 years ago when you consider that they were all hand wired from point to point. However, these circuits were large, bulky power hogs that generated tons of heat, and could never be used for anything more advanced than the family radio. If you've ever had the opportunity to crack open a really old radio or TV set, you know how brittle and dirty those things could be. As electronic devices shrank in size and grew in functionality, the need for flexible circuitry continued to grow. Once again, the great minds of the day got back to work. Starting in the 1950s and '60s, the advanced needs of military and aerospace applica- tions demanded a method of con- necting electronics together that didn't rely on traditional cabling and connectors. is even- tually resulted in rigid-flex PCBs being used in aircra to reduce weight and increase reli- ability. Just as with traditional printed circuit boards, flexible PCB technology changed and grew over the years in response to the increas- ing demands and requirements of the indus- try. From simple circuit patterns on film, flex circuit technology has evolved to include multiple substrate materials, ultra fine line width and spacing, and multilayer embedded components. Flex circuitry has now become an essential part of nearly every aspect of elec tronic s manufac tur ing . Cons ider the following: • Computers: To provide direct connec- tions between displays, keyboards, and other major components, laptops rely on flex circuits for high-performance interconnectivity that is small, robust, and reliable. • Mobile devices: I'm not sure, but I think that the iconic flip- phone is back in style again, and that just won't happen unless manufacturers can lever- age the latest in flexible circuitry. • Wearables: anks to flex circuits, we can avoid the annoyance of bulky and heavy watches, earbuds, and other everyday devices designed to be worn while we use them. • Automotive: Without the benefit of flex circuits, our car's electronics wouldn't have nearly the capabilities that it now provides. Flex circuitry is now being incorporated into everything from entertainment centers to engine and control systems. • Industrial: e automation in today's modern factories depends on control systems that feature flex circuits. Robotics, sensors, and inventory control systems all have pieces that are constantly in motion that must be connected reliably with flexible circuitry. Everywhere you look, flex technology is being incorporated into the electronics that are part of our daily lives. e industries listed above rely on rigid-flex PCBs to not only save space but increase their durability thanks to the new mate- rials in use today. is makes the modern rigid- flex PCBs more reliable than traditional cable and connectors. Additionally, rigid-flex PCBs are designed for their specific application. ey image credit: Flexible Circuit Technologies