Commercial Equipment Flexible Circuits
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Commercial equipment flexible circuits are a type of printed wiring interconnect structure built on thin, flexible substrates. These circuits are designed to interconnect rigid boards, displays, connectors, and various other components within a three-dimensional package. They are capable of being bent, folded, or shaped to conform to specific package sizes, providing a reliable alternative to conventional wiring methods.
Working Principle
Flexible circuits operate by utilizing a flexible, polymer film that is laminated to a thin sheet of copper, which is then etched to produce a circuit pattern. This construction allows the circuits to be bent and shaped, enabling them to connect components across multiple planes or moving parts. The flexibility of these circuits makes them particularly useful in applications where space and weight constraints are critical, as they can replace bulky wires and rigid circuit boards. Their ability to withstand shock and vibration also enhances their reliability and reduces repair and replacement costs.
Applications
Flexible circuits are used in a wide range of industries and applications. Specific examples include their use in car radios, cassette players, electronic control systems, hard disk drives, printers, optoelectronics, switching systems, industrial controls, and medical devices such as heart pacemakers and hearing aids. They are also employed in advanced scientific sensors, flexible heating elements, and security devices.
Advantages over other Flexible Circuits
Flexible circuits offer several advantages over other wiring methods. They improve connection reliability, simplify assembly, and enhance component appearance by eliminating bulky wires. Their design reduces errors during installation and servicing, thereby minimizing re-work and troubleshooting time. Additionally, flexible circuits are more resistant to shock and vibration compared to rigid PCBs, making them more durable and cost-effective in terms of repair and replacement.
Limitations
Despite their advantages, flexible circuits have limitations due to their thin and unstable constructions. These limitations necessitate careful consideration during design and manufacturing to avoid potential issues. The performance of a flexible circuit can be greatly impacted by its construction, and designers must account for the unique requirements of the materials used.
Considerations
When considering the use of flexible circuits, several factors should be taken into account. Initial costs can be higher due to the specialized materials and manufacturing processes required. However, operating expenses may be lower due to reduced repair and replacement costs. Flexible circuits are generally durable and offer high accuracy, but their performance can be affected by environmental conditions. Maintenance costs are typically lower than those for rigid PCBs, but careful handling and installation are essential to prevent damage.
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
A double sided flex circuit is a circuit having two conductive layers, one on each side of the base layer of polyimide within the circuit. Trace patterns, specific to your needs, can be created on both sides of the substrate film and can be connected where desired with copper plated through-holes. [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Carbon (optional feature); Gold (optional feature); Nickel (optional feature); Organic (optional feature); Silver (optional feature); Solder (optional feature); Tin (optional feature); Other (optional feature); entek or Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Lead Solder or RoHS Compliant
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
A dual access flex circuit is a single sided flex circuit that is manufactured so that the conductive material can be accessed from both sides of the circuit. Flexible Circuit is a front runner in this technology utilizing specialized lasers and processing to skive open the polyimide layer of the... [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Carbon (optional feature); Gold (optional feature); Nickel (optional feature); Organic (optional feature); Silver (optional feature); Solder (optional feature); Tin (optional feature); Other (optional feature); entek or Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Lead Solder or RoHS Compliant
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
Rigid flex circuits have been used in the military and aerospace industries for more than 20 years. In most rigid flex circuit boards, the circuitry consists of multiple flexible circuit inner layers selectively attached together using an epoxy pre-preg bonding film, similar to a multilayer flexible... [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Carbon (optional feature); Gold (optional feature); Nickel (optional feature); Organic (optional feature); Silver (optional feature); Solder (optional feature); Tin (optional feature); Other (optional feature); entek or Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Lead Solder or RoHS Compliant
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
Flat flex circuits are light weight, low profile, small outline cables designed to satisfy high density cabling applications. Their distinguishing factors include repeated dynamic flexing and the ability to fold into nearly any shape, evenly distributing stress especially when compared to... [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Tin
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
A four-layer combination rigid flex circuit has four conductive copper layers. Typically, a four-layer has two flexible layers and two rigid layers. Rigid flex circuits have been used in the military and aerospace industries for more than 20 years. In most rigid flex circuit boards, the circuitry... [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Carbon (optional feature); Gold (optional feature); Nickel (optional feature); Organic (optional feature); Silver (optional feature); Solder (optional feature); Tin (optional feature); Other (optional feature); entek or Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Lead Solder or RoHS Compliant
from Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc.
A single layer flex circuit is the most basic and consists of a flexible polyimide film laminated to a thin sheet of copper. The copper layer is then chemically etched to produce a circuit pattern specific to your specific design requirements. A polyimide coverlay is then added for insulation and... [See More]
- Applications: Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Telecommunication Equipment; Other; Consumer
- Substrates: Polymide
- Mounting: Press Fit (optional feature); Surface Mount (optional feature); Through-Hole (optional feature)
- Surface Finish: Carbon (optional feature); Gold (optional feature); Nickel (optional feature); Organic (optional feature); Silver (optional feature); Solder (optional feature); Tin (optional feature); Other (optional feature); entek or Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP), Lead Solder or RoHS Compliant
from Sheldahl Flexible Technologies - a Flex company
High volume products that leverage automation and our broad electronic material offering; engineered adhesives, options of dielectric and conductor type. Capabilities. PET, PEN, PI + film substrates . Functional Adhesives – Flame Retardant, non-Flame Retardant, Thermally conductive,... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace Equipment; Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Military Equipment
- Substrates: Other; PET,PEN, PI + Film Substrates
- Mounting: Surface Mount
- Surface Finish: Gold; Nickel; Silver; Tin
from Sheldahl Flexible Technologies - a Flex company
Novaclad ® HDI is built upon the rock of our proprietary adhesiveless laminate that leverages vacuum deposition, additive copper processes, and photolithography to enable fine line circuitry coupled with laser-drilled micro-vias. Novaclad HDI circuitry withstands the toughest conditions in terms... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace Equipment; Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Military Equipment
- Substrates: Other; PI Film
- Mounting: Surface Mount; Through-Hole
- Surface Finish: Gold; Nickel; Silver; Tin
from Sheldahl Flexible Technologies - a Flex company
Our thermal management platform offers flexible solutions that push the envelope by reducing thermal impedance by using innovative material composites. This helps improve thermal management in battery packs, high power LEDs, and addresses CTE mismatch issues in assemblies leading to longer product... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace Equipment; Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Military Equipment
- Features: Single Sided; Double Sided
- Substrates: Other; PET,PEN, PI Film Substrates
from Sheldahl Flexible Technologies - a Flex company
The Sheldahl patterning process provides customizable solutions for projective capacitive touch sensors for Human Machine Interface, Displays, Heaters, and Shielding. We will build the materials to meet your design goals and process it into your desired format. This includes screen printing... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace Equipment; Automotive Equipment; Commercial Equipment; Industrial Equipment; Medical Equipment; Military Equipment
- Features: Single Sided; Double Sided