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84 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2026 TA RG E T C O N D I T I O N Ruben Lugo: Lighting systems benefit as well. Whether we're talking about LED backlighting, illu- minated controls, status indicators, or advanced display assemblies, rigid-flex circuits allow designers to package electronics in ways that would be diffi- cult or impossible using conventional rigid boards. By eliminating unnecessary interconnects and utilizing 3D packaging space, designers can create systems that are lighter, more compact, and often more reliable. That's a major reason why flex and rigid-flex technologies have become such valuable tools for modern display and lighting applications. A&D platforms have relied on sophisticated dis- plays and illuminated controls for decades. How has that experience influenced today's flex and rigid-flex design practices? Hansler: Like so many other technologies, display technology is changing as well, with many of the industry's most demanding reliability requirements originating in A&D applications. For decades, Pioneer Circuits has manufactured flexible and rigid-flex circuits supporting mission-control inter- faces, radar systems, navigation equipment, secure communications, electronic warfare platforms, and other mission-critical systems. In these environments, display failures can impact mission effectiveness and operator performance. As a result, designers have learned that long- term reliability depends on much more than elec- trical functionality. Material selection, bend-radius management, conductor geometry, strain relief, thermal performance, and manufacturing consis- tency all play critical roles. I've seen that many of those same considerations are now important in commercial display appli- cations as products become more compact and mechanically complex. Lugo: A&D programs have effectively served as real-world laboratories for flex-circuit reliability. These systems operate in environments char- acterized by vibration, shock, thermal cycling, altitude extremes, and long service lives. Those conditions quickly expose weaknesses in both design and manufacturing. The lessons learned from those applications have shaped many of today's best practices. As Dan Hansler Ruben Lugo