Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1514189
64 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JANUARY 2024 Flex and rigid-flex PCBs represent exciting technology for designers. Suddenly, boards no longer need to exist along one plane—or along a flat plane at all. Designs can now conform to specific shapes or be bent during use, and this opens new possibilities for applications with space constraints or flexibility requirements. Built using materials that can bend, a flex PCB is usually constructed with materials like polyimide and polyester film. ese PCBs have many properties that designers might find useful beyond their flexibility. ey have improved resistance to both vibration and movement. ey are also significantly thinner and lighter than traditional rigid PCBs. Five Best Practices for Designing Flex and Rigid-flex PCBs Flex PCBs do have some drawbacks, how- ever. ey can be more expensive to manufac- ture, and extra care needs to be taken for large or heavy components that may not be able to handle the flex. When these drawbacks seem problematic, rigid-flex PCBs are probably the best way to go. Rigid-flex PCBs combine traditional rigid PCBs with flexible connectors. is approach offers better durability and mechanical sta- bility compared to flex PCBs. While designs may lose some of the versatility of flex PCBs, combining traditional r igid PCBs and flexible elements brings the best of both approaches. Connect the Dots by Matt Stevenson, SUNSTONE CIRCUITS