The Benefits of Flex PCBs
Flex PCBs offer a range of benefits that make them a compelling choice for modern electronic designs:
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Space and weight savings: Flex circuits can be routed, bent, and folded to fit into tight spaces, allowing for more compact
and lightweight device designs.
Small Flex PCB
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Improved reliability: Flex PCBs are better able to withstand bending, twisting, and vibration, making them more durable
and reliable than their rigid counterparts. For example, this makes them good for military applications and extreme
environments.
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Design flexibility: The ability to shape and form flex circuits opens up new possibilities for product design, enabling
innovative and ergonomic form factors. We're no longer limited by what products can be created based on the shape of a
rigid PCB. Imagination comes more into play and a case in point of this would be wireless headphones.
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Simplified assembly: Flex circuits can eliminate the need for cables and connectors, streamlining the assembly process
and reducing the risk of wiring errors. Take any camera or cell phone for example - having less hassle with prototypes that
have high pin counts where crossed connections can fry components.
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Signal integrity: Flex PCBs can be designed with controlled impedance and shielding, providing improved signal integrity
and performance for high-speed, high-frequency applications. The polyimide material typically used in flex PCBs has a
more consistent dielectric constant, compared to standard rigid PCB substrates. Now you have more consistent signal
integrity performance.
8 www.cadence.com
Rigid Flex Design Guide
