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68 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2024 material, its main purpose is to prevent flex circuits from being bent at the transition point between flex and rigid PCBs. However, this material can also protect flex PCB portions from being damaged by "prepreg squeeze- out," which can create sharp edges along the sides of rigid PCB components. Best Practices Make for Smooth Manufacturing Flex and rigid-flex PCBs have opened a world of possibilities for designers. eir abil- ity to conform to various shapes, along with a reduction in weight and size, has revolution- ized the electronics industry. Designers now have the freedom to imagine and create prod- ucts that were once limited by the constraints of rigid boards. However, as with any new design compo- nent, we must remember the importance of following best practices when designing flex and rigid-flex PCBs. Attention to these details helps ensure optimal performance and reli- ability. Collaboration with experienced PCB manufacturers is also important for a smooth and reliable production experience. Flex and rigid-flex PCBs are ready for design- ers to embrace. It is an exciting time when imagination and vision can be put to work to shape the future of electronics. DESIGN007 References 1. The images used in this column are from the American Standard Circuits book "The Compan- ion Guide to... Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals, Tips for Designing Flexible Circuit Products," I-Con- nect007, 2023. Matt Stevenson is vice president at Sunstone Circuits, a division of American Standard Circuits. To read past columns, click here. Download The Printed Circuit Designer's Guide to… Designing for Reality by Matt Stevenson. You can view other titles in the I007eBooks library here. The printed circuit board (PCB) market is set to grow by US$19.05 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to be progressing at a CAGR of 5.05% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environ- ment. Rising industry automa- tion is an emerging trend shaping the market. As a result, several industries are forced to adapt to automa- tion to sustain the competi- tion in the market. But due to the increasing adoption, optimum power consump- tion can be a significant challenge. Hence, PCBs are increasingly adopted across industries to ensure efficient power consumption within the minimal size of the application. One of the main functionalities of PCBs includes withstanding peak temperatures and volt- ages. Hence, such factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. The market is driven by the rising adoption of smartphones. Factors such as the availability of low-cost smartphones and growing global Internet penetration are expected to fuel the adoption of smartphones globally. Furthermore, devel- oping economies like India and China are becoming sig- nificant emerging markets for smartphones due to the rising disposable income of people and growing popula- tion. (Source: PRNewswire) PCB Market to Grow by $19.05 Billion from 2022 to 2027