What is pcb how to#
A sketch of flex-pcb outline that will be a TSSOP to LQFP replacement.ĭave went through a lot of details while designing the PCB and finally showing how to order from a manufacturer, PCBway. This is what Dave from evvblog did to replace stm32f070f6p6 / TSSOP package with stm32f070CB / LQFP package.
This is because connecting 2 PCBs together may require in some cases designing a special harness cable or connector which will add additional steps in assembly and introduce more cost for testing and assembly.Īnother case of using flex PCB is when doing a replacement of a part with a different package without changing the PCB design. Regards using flex PCB as connectors, it could be a cost effective approach compared to rigid ones connected with wires. Image Courtesy of Epec Engineered Technologies webinar, showing difference between manufacturing rigid PCB and flex PCB.Īctually the examples of using flex PCB is unlimited, but showing some could clarify the importance of this technology rather than thinking that it is only good for connectors and screen panels. Rigid PCB has 8 steps of manufacturing compared to 17 in flex PCB with more materials involved. Moreover, a webinar from Epec Engineered Technologies on Youtube showed a roughly comparison between the rigid vs flex PCB manufacturing from a number of processes and material perspective. Image courtesy of PCBWay, showing a stiffener (dark brown) Example of these special requests is to add what is called Stiffener, which is a rigid material (can be FR4) added to specified areas of flex PCB to increase overall thickness. Keeping in mind that customers may have other special requirements that would increase the cost even more. The following video clip from Youtube shows the process in details, and according to this video it’s clearly that flex pcb has more complexity and human interaction than the usual rigid boards and as a result of this: more cost! Flex PCB manufacturing has the same rigid pcb steps in addition to other ones. It is about complexity and the number of material and process involved to make your flex PCB done. Showing single-layer, double-layer and multi-layer flex PCBįlex PCB is More Costly than Rigid One, Why ? The multi-layer will be built layer by layer.Īnother first impressions about flex PCBs may be thinking that it’s single or double side only, but actually flex PCB can be multi-layer just like the usual rigid PCB.
The reason behind the freedom of choosing the flex layer position is that the manufacturing process will be similar. Image courtesy of epec Engineering Technology, different configurations of flex layer in design stack-up. Keeping in mind that it is advised to have the flex layer in the middle, when that is applicable. The below image shows a flex-rigid board with flex as bottom layer. However, if you choose the rigid-flex option, then It is up to you to select which layer to be the flex one in your design layer stack-up. In the right figure, one board has the flex part in its stack-up and connected to a rigid PCB through a connector. In the middle figure, the 2 boards have the flex part as part of their design stack-up. In the left figure, the flex is soldered in or plugged into the rigid section. Image courtesy to Würth Elektronik Flex-Rigid Design Guide. Rigid-flex PCB from a systematic point of view may not have the flex part laminated permanently, it could be soldered or connected with it through a connector like the 3 different types of rigid-flex PCB image below shows. And yes it can hold the soldering heat moreover it can stand way more than rigid ones with high temperature based on the used film material type.
What is pcb full#
On the left, a panel of rigid-flex boardįlex boards can be used as connectors, and as full circuits assembled with components. The below figures are showing example of flex and rigid-flex PCBs. Flex PCB are also known as Flex Circuit Board or FCB. In this article we will see what flex PCB is, where flex PCB can be used, why it is more costly, and finally how to order a flex PCB from a manufacturer like PCBway.įor the first impression, readers may think that PCBs may come in 2 types either rigid type or flex type only, while there is another third hybrid type called rigid-flex PCB. Rigid-flex PCB is a circuit board that has both rigid circuit section and flex circuit section and they are laminated together. The most common and used type of Printed Circuit Boards is the rigid type, but the flex one is another type that you may think of using it after getting yourself familiar with, especially that it is now more available than before as more manufacturers are providing this type.