Flexible PCBs – The Advantages And Applications - Miracle Electronics
When you hear the word PCB, you immediately imagine a square or rectangular rigid green colour board with golden lines running haphazardly all over. We all are well-versed with such a depiction of the PCB, but how many of us are aware of a non-rigid/flexible printed circuit board!?
What is a flexible PCB , you may ask. Just as the name suggests, it is a PCB that is not rigid, but flexible in nature. The flexibility comes with the usage of a malleable base material, which holds the circuitry and components on top, just like a normal PCB. The materials used could be polyimide or polyester, with a very thin layer of copper over the board. But, this copper has a tendency to oxidize, which is why the copper layer is covered with another protective layer, such as solder, which has excellent electrical conductivity and zero corrosion capabilities. There are two types of soldering processes that can be followed – manual and laser. Manual soldering is one of the cheapest processes used for welding a PCB, while laser soldering is a faster method. Laser soldering uses the excitation of laser energy to transform into heat energy for soldering.
Advantages of flexible PCBs
Flexible PCBs are easy to install – With the market being filled with nanoelectronics, there is a very small space available to fit the PCBs. Adjusting the PCB to set into such a compact space can be a challenge. Flexible PCBs male the task much easier.
Flexible PCBs reduce weight and volume – Because flexible PCBs are thin and light in weight, they can also reduce the volume and weight of electronic products, while offering flexibility of installation and excellent electrical properties.
Flexible PCBs offer low risks and high performance – Flexible PCBs reduce the interconnection required, which means lesser solder joints and contact creases. Due to this, potential failures are minimized and performance is improved.
Applications of flexible PCBs
Smartphones – The usage of flexible PCBs is highly increasing, especially in the smartphone industry. Flexible PCB manufacturers are contributing in the industry on a massive level! The demand of flexible PCBs has increased because of the demand of complex circuitries to be installed in the thinnest possible applications.
Wearables – Flexible PCBs have also found great demand in the industry of wearables. That’s because such smartwatches, fitness trackers, and every other kind of sensor-technology device needs to be worn on different parts of the body, which means flexibility is highly required to wrap body parts.
Heads-up displays – Another application is the Heads-up Display used in aerospace, which display operational data directly in the pilot’s field of vision, so that he can read critical operational data during flight, without having to look away from a potential target.
Hearing-assist devices – The medical industry also uses flexible PCBs in hearing-assist devices to provide higher range and resolution than traditional hearing devices, with the usage of flexible PCBs to help mount all the microphone, DSP, and battery in a tiny compact package that fits behind the ear.
To conclude, whenever you are looking for compact, thin, lightweight, flexible, reliable, and efficient PCBs, you know that you are looking for a flexible PCB assembly from India. Get in touch with Miracle Electronics and get your flexible PCBs designed and manufactured as per your requirements. Choose from single-layered, double-layered, and multi-layered options, and have your PCBs designed just the way you want them to be!
