FPC (flexible circuit board) is a type of PCB, also known as "soft board". FPC is made of flexible substrates such as polyimide or polyester film. It has the advantages of high wiring density, light weight, thin thickness, flexibility, and high flexibility. It can withstand millions of dynamic bending without damaging the wires According to the requirements of spatial layout, it can be moved and retracted arbitrarily to achieve three-dimensional assembly, which achieves the effect of component assembly and wire connection integration. It has advantages that other types of circuit boards cannot match.

FPC is widely used in mechanically sensitive equipment because its flexibility allows circuit boards to resist vibration. Flexible PCBs are more durable than traditional circuit boards, but flexible PCB manufacturing processes are sensitive and complex.

Flexible PCB applications

Rigid boards add some restrictions to product design because they cannot be installed in limited spaces. Circuit boards need to be vibration resistant in products that are often subject to mechanical shock.

Flexible PCBs are more suitable for this situation because they can be bent and wrapped if needed. They can survive harsh temperatures of -200 to 400 degrees Celsius. These features make flexible circuit boards more reliable and durable compared to traditional circuit boards.

Computers and accessories

Flexible PCBs are very powerful in terms of signal and atmospheric conditions. The hard drive in your computer contains a Flex PCB. Because these PCBs provide high data transfer rates on physically small circuit boards. Other electronic devices such as printers, calculators, and laptop LCDs are often designed with flexible PCBs for similar reasons.

aircraft

Aircraft electronic systems are often full of cables and are lightweight. A typical Airbus contains nearly 100 kilometers of cable, while a helicopter contains about 12 kilometers of cable. There is no compromise in terms of the reliability and performance of aircraft systems. The flexible PCB reduces weight and can be significantly improved even under mechanical shock, making it ideal for aircraft.

car

Over time, automotive products have become more compact. Flexible PCBs add compactness to their designs because, regardless of shape, these PCBs can be placed in limited space and still work efficiently. Flex PCB enables designers to produce lightweight products while maintaining product performance.

Flexible PCBs are commonly used in engine management computers, airbag controllers, and other electronic components in automotive products. Because automobiles are often exposed to high temperatures, which is tolerable for flexible PCBs, these boards have modern automotive products.

Mobile phone

The phone is small but has many features. Ever wondered how to design dense circuits in such a compact enclosure? Flexible PCBs can synchronize multiple components with minimal space requirements.

Connecting wiring harnesses or rigid boards for synchronization components is disadvantageous because the size and shape of the phone is limited. In addition, mobile phones will heat up, and traditional circuit boards cannot withstand high temperatures. In addition, Flex PCBs have added water resistance to their designs.

Medical electronics

Medical electronics need to be highly accurate and durable. Wearable devices currently under development are typically developed using Flexible PCBs, with the flexibility to make them suitable for host use.

Today, wearables are used to track physical health. These gadgets are very compact and sophisticated. Flex PCB can implant sensors on the patient's skin and monitor results on a smart watch or mobile phone. This revolution in wearable medical devices is brought about by flexible PCBs.

Medical devices often need to be placed inside the body, such as pacemakers or pill cameras that are often exposed to extreme atmospheric conditions and flexible PCBs are best suited for this situation.

Rigid PCBs are bulky and cannot use shape changes and low performance when transmitting high signals, which makes them detrimental to medical electronics.

Recent research on Flex PCB has enabled scientists to develop Flex PCBs that are more suitable for medical devices. These PCBs are developed using organic materials to provide more appropriate quality for prosthetic parts. These boards are more flexible than flexible traditional PCBs, which is exciting for the development of high-performance prostheses.

Industrial applications

Flexible PCBs can withstand extreme weather conditions and perform well even in harsh environments. RF devices often use Flex PCB designs because the robustness of these PCBs leaves the signal strength unaffected. In addition, Flex PCB is used in industrial machines and power distribution control systems.

sensor

Flex PCBs have revolutionized sensors. Modern sensors are manufactured on flexible PCBs, which reduces their size. These sensors can be placed in limited and irregular spaces, suitable for design or more compact products.

Military equipment

Most modern military equipment uses flex PCBs such as radar systems in military vehicles. Control systems in military-grade equipment require the robustness of high-signal and conductive paths. Because the device must be used at extreme temperatures, weather conditions are often difficult to withstand rigid PCBs. In addition, military equipment is often affected by vibration and mechanical stress, which is easily tolerated for flexible PCBs. For these reasons, Flex PCB is best suited for military equipment.