The flexible circuit board are designed for saving room and improving the flexibility to meet a smaller and higher density mounting design, it also helps to reduce the assembly process and enhance reliability. In brief, FPC is the only solution to ensure the miniaturization and moving of electronic products.
The flexible printed circuit is etched copper circuit with polymer substrate, or the circuit printed with polymer thick film. For both thin and light, compact structure and complex devices, the solutions ranging from single conductive line to a complex multilayer 3D package. The total quality and volume of Flexible package less 70% than the traditional wire harness. The strength of flexible circuit can also be enhanced by using reinforce materials or base material to obtain additional mechanical stability.
The flexible PCB can be moved, bending, torsion without damage to the conductor, Different outline and special packaged size are permitted. The only limit is the volume. Because it can withstand millions of dynamic bending, flexible circuit can be well applied in the continuous movement or the periodic motion of the internal connection system and become part of the end product's function. Products required electrical signal / power movement and small shape coefficient / package size are all benefited from flexible circuit.
Flexible circuit boards provide excellent electric performance. Low dielectric constant to allow electrical signal transmission; good thermal properties make cooling of components easier; a higher glass transition temperature or melting point keep the components operate very well in the high temperature.
Due to hardware for internal connection reduced, such as common solder point which used for the traditional electronic packages, trunk line, the bottom line and cable, flex circuit can provide higher assembly reliability and output. Higher dislocation of components appeared easier while assembly Because of the traditional interconnecting hardware composed by complex multiple systems. With quality engineering coming out, a thin flexible system is designed for only one-way assembly, thereby eliminating the human error related to usual and independent routing works.
Briefly speaking, the reasons to use FPCB as following,
- Reduce weight and space
- Meet dynamic flexing requirements
- Flexing for easier installation and service
- Increase reliability and repeatability
- Thermal management
- Improve aesthetics
- Eliminate connectors
- Provide uniform electrical characteristics for high speed circuitry
- Reduce assembly costs