RIGID-FLEX printed circuit boards are boards using a combination of flexible and rigid board technologies in one application. Most RIGID FLEX boards consist of multiple layers of flexible circuit substrates attached to one or more rigid boards externally and/or internally, depending upon the design of the application.
The flexible substrates are designed either in a constant state or as a dynamical flex, to be used in a design where parts will be moved relative to each other. RIGID-FLEX PCBs offer a wide array of applications, ranging from smart devices to cell phones and digital cameras. Increasingly, RIGID-FLEX board fabrication has been used in medical devices such as pacemakers for their space and weight reduction capabilities. The same advantages for RIGID-FLEX PCB usage can be applied to aviation and military purposes.
In consumer products, RIGID FLEX doesn’t just maximize space and weight but greatly improves reliability, improved signal integrity eliminating many needs for solder joints and delicate, fragile wiring that are prone to connection issues. These are just some examples, but RIGID-FLEX PCBs can be used to benefit nearly all advanced electrical applications, including testing equipment, tools, and automobiles.