Flexible Circuit Technologies, design and manufacturing

Flexible Printed Circuits

Applications

Prior to designing a circuit, there are two fundamental structural applications that must be understood and dictate conductor selection:

Static Application - an application where flex circuits are flexed only to install the circuit and fit it into its application (also known as flex-to-fit or flex-to-install). A static application will typically be made using the less expensive Electro Deposited (ED) copper.

Dynamic Flexing Applications - a situation where the flex circuit itself is dynamically (repeatedly) flexed during the actual use of the final product. Common examples include flip-type cell phones, laptops, printer heads and robotic arms. A dynamic application will require the use of Rolled Annealed (RA) copper.

The benefits of flexible circuits are realized in most applications requiring high volume flexing and/or a high degree of accuracy. Some common applications include:

Double Sided Flex with Sculpted Leads

Air bag systems
Automotive engine controls
Antilock breaks
Avionics
Bar code equipment
Battery packs
Calculators
Cameras
Cell phones
Heart monitors and pacemakers
Fuel pumps
Hearing aids
Printers
Motion systems
GPS systems
Satellites

In summary, if you have flexible circuit design or flexible printed circuit board needs, we can help. For more in depth information, click on the links below:

Overview	Benefits	Materials	Capabilities	Types
Advanced Features	Applications	Design Help	RFQ	Links