Flexible circuits offer significant advantages over traditional rigid PCBs, wire harnesses and other interconnect solutions. Their thin, lightweight construction allows electronics to bend, fold and conform to tight spaces while reducing wiring, connectors and assembly complexity. Depending on the application, flexible circuits can help engineers reduce size and weight, improve reliability, simplify assembly and accommodate movement where rigid circuit boards cannot.
From medical devices and wearables to automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, flexible circuits give designers greater freedom to solve challenging requirements.
Flexible circuits solutions for your interconnect including:
Low Mass
Flexible circuits are only a fraction of the mass of discreet wiring making them ideal for high shock, high vibration applications.
Termination Options
Flexible circuits can accept PCB connectors, FFC connectors, and insulation displacement connectors. Plus, several options such as unsupported fingers than can only be done on flex.
High Wiring Density
Because the conductors in a flexible circuit are photodefined like a rigid PCB, flexible circuits are capable of very small conductors and therefore ultra-high wiring density. They can take up to 75% less space than a similar wiring harness.
Higher Reliability
Flexible circuits are more reliable than traditional PCBs due to fewer failure-prone connectors, resistance to vibration and thermal stress, and their ability to bend without damage.
The Ability to Bend and Flex
Perhaps the single biggest reason for using flexible circuits is their ability to bend and flex to fit unique applications.
No Wiring Errors
Since the conductors on a flex circuit are photo-defined just like a rigid a PCB, there will never be a wiring error.
Lowest Total Cost of Ownership
Using flexible circuitry as your interconnect solution gives your designers the freedom to eliminate costly features such as board to board connectors and jumper wires while streamlining assembly time which results in the lowest TCO.
Ease of Assembly
Every flex circuit is custom to its application, and if designed properly, should fit perfectly and consistently.
When to use a flexible circuit?
A flexible circuit may be appropriate when a design requires:
- Limited space or unusual packaging geometry
- Three-dimensional routing
- Reduced weight
- Repeated movement or flexing
- Replacement of wires or cable assemblies
- Fewer connectors
- Improved assembly consistency
- Integration of multiple interconnects into one circuit
