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30 The PCB Design Magazine • March 2017 productive and economi- cal, we want to help them do that. Goldman: Who else stands to benefit from the book? Vardya: Just about any- one who has anything to do with flex and rig- id-flex PCBs should find this book useful, including engineers, program managers and even buyers, as well as PCB de- signers. It should also be helpful to those who are not yet buying or designing flex boards but are thinking about it. This will give them a good idea of what is involved. Lackey: I'd like to add that we were especially interested in helping younger designers who are new to the industry and the technology. We are seeing many instances of PCB designers coming right of school with a lack of real understanding of the complexities of the products they are de- signing. Our goal is to help by educating them. Goldman: So, what is your background and how long have you been in our business? Anaya, let's start with you. Vardya: I have been in boards for more than 30 years, working for a number of larger compa- nies like IBM, Continental Circuits, Merix and Coretec. I have held several key management positions before I came here to American Stan- dard Circuits 10 years ago as CEO. Lackey: Well, I'm 37 years in the industry and counting. I've been in this business working with several shops here in the Chicago area. For 33 of those years I have been working with flex and rigid-flex circuits. I have worked in all areas of manufacturing and engineering before even- tually moving into upper management. Goldman: Now, tell me a little bit about American Standard. Vardya: We like to say that we are the best inde- pendent fabricator in the country. We provide just about all technologies of PCBs to our customers. We have development processes as well and hold many patents. Our goal is to grow through service by providing our customers with the best service, the best technol- ogy and perhaps even the best R&D in the business. Goldman: Can you give me some examples from the book as to what is different about flex and rig- id-flex boards compared to rigid PCBs, especially designing them? What should designers watch out for? Lackey: I think one of the most valuable parts of the book is the one on material selection. This is an area that many designers do not have a good understanding of so they are asking for our help. I think they are going to find that part of the book especially valuable. We also discuss functionality and costs and how that differs from rigid PCBs. Goldman: I am hearing and reading a lot more about flex technology these days and it is consid- ered the fastest growing PCB technology. Why is that? Vardya: Because it is so useful as a technology. Flex and rigid-flex boards are so adaptable to space constraints. They can go around corners, they can bend, they are much more reliable than connecting two or more rigid PCBs with a connector. It is an idea whose time has come. Lackey: They are also lighter and more func- tional, and they work well in all markets, from medical to aerospace, and from military to com- puter. There is a flex board in every laptop com- puter, for example. Goldman: What are your thoughts about the fu- ture? Do you feel that that the demand for flex and rigid-flex technology is going to continue to grow? Lackey: Yes, absolutely! If you look at all the AMERICAN STANDARD CIRCUITS RELEASING eBOOK ON DESIGNING FLEX AND RIGID-FLEX Dave Lackey Anaya Vardya