Almost every new piece of technology you see nowadays, from cell phones to the keyboards in your computers are built with Flexible Printed Circut Boards. These boards can adapt to any shape and are not limited to a design built around a rigid, unbending circuit board. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of using a flexible printed circuit board.
Flexible printed circuit boards are renowned for their ability to withstand shock damage, water damage, cold or heat damage, and corrosion. Most flexible PCBs are made with polyimide which can even handle temps up to 400c. They are also able to handle far greater levels of vibration than normal circuit boards due to their flexibility. The ability to endure damage is the primary reason why flexible printed circuit boards are the number one choice for technology used in harsh conditions. We use this cutting edge technology in nearly every industry; from military, aerospace and medical fields to consumer electronics.
Due to the inherent flexibility of FPCBs, circuitry can be made to fold, curve or follow the contours of the device housings they are built into, further helping to miniaturize and reduce the weight of the end product. Additionally, flexible circuitry is commonly used for actively flexed parts such as the ribbon cables which run through the hinges of laptop computers.
Flexible circuit boards are not only lightweight but also extremely thin. Both of these attributes significantly complement the drive towards product miniaturization across all industries.
While many circuit boards have to worry about overheating, flexible printed circuit boards are so versatile that they can be placed in areas that allow for more airflow, lessening the chance of overheating. The high melting temperature of the polyimide substrates further contributes to the robustness of this technology when used in adverse environments.
Because of their unique capabilities, flexible printed circuit boards are used in a variety of devices such as:
- Antilock braking systems
- Hearing aids
- Heart monitors
- Barcode scanners
- Cell phones
As we continue to develop new technological devices, we need circuit boards that can keep up with demand. With their ability to withstand extreme conditions, it’s no wonder why flexible printed circuit boards are becoming the new default choice for circuit board technology. Traditional circuit boards with no flexibility just aren’t cutting it anymore. Flexible printed circuit boards are not only here to stay, but you should expect to see them growing in popularity for all of the reasons stated above.