Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Revenge of the Tipping Point'
Marcy's Musings: Engineering Economics
Punching Out: Should You Sell Your Company to a Private Equity Firm?
Decreasing Bend Radius and Improving Reliability- Part III
December 18, 2019 | Kelsey Smith, All FlexEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Application: Design guidelines to improve the flexibility and reliability of flexible circuits.
Most issues that arise with flex circuits can be eliminated in the early stages of the design phase, and special planning must occur when the circuit is required to bend. Many novices will design a circuit that calls for bending the flex in too tight of a bend radius, which can cause damage to the circuit and lower the reliability of the end product. This is the third and final installment in a series of articles that will focus on the seven key aspects to consider when designing for maximum durability and maximum “flexibility." It is important to know that because flexibility is a relative term this study will instead use the term reducing bend radius. Below are three of the seven design strategies, please see Part I and Part II for more tips!
5. Apply strain relief at transition areas from stiffener to flex.
- Stiffener material is common in flex circuit designs that have soldered components. While this rigid material is necessary for the soldered components, it can cause reliability issues during installation when the flex is bent at the stiffener location toward the stiffener.
- If the flex material will be bending toward the stiffener, it is highly recommended that an epoxy bead of Ecobond 45 be applied.
6. Ensure vias are located at least .050” away from bend zones.
Fig. 1 - Examples of a flex circuit with a bend radius and a plated through-hole.
7. Always put a 3D representation of your bend to install configuration on your drawings.
- Many problems can be avoided by informing your flex circuit vendor what the final configuration is going to be once used, this enables them to evaluate for potential bend radius issues.
- Most flex circuit drawings are only 2D. By showing a picture of the final configuration you are encouraging the discussion regarding materials, discussion about minimum bend radius and letting the flex vendor raise any concerns before build.
Fig. 2 - Examples of a 3D drawing of a flex circuit.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Rules of Thumb for PCB Layout
11/21/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007The dictionary defines a “rule of thumb” as “a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory.” Rules of thumb are often the foundation of a PCB designer’s thought process when tackling a layout. Ultimately, a product spec or design guideline will provide the detailed design guidance, but rules of thumb can help to provide the general guidance that will help to streamline the layout process and avoid design or manufacturing issues.
PCB Design Software Market Expected to Hit $9.2B by 2031
11/21/2024 | openPRThis report provides an overview of the PCB design software market, detailing key market drivers, challenges, technological advancements, regional dynamics, and future trends. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2024 to 2031, the market is expected to grow from USD 3.9 billion in 2024 to USD 9.2 billion by 2031.
KYZEN to Spotlight KYZEN E5631, AQUANOX A4618 and Process Control at SMTA Silicon Valley Expo and Tech Forum
11/21/2024 | KYZEN'KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally friendly cleaning chemistries, will exhibit at the SMTA Silicon Valley Expo & Tech Forum on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley in Fremont, CA.
Flexible Thinking: Rules of Thumb: A Word to the Wise
11/20/2024 | Joe Fjelstad -- Column: Flexible ThinkingIn the early days of electronics manufacturing—especially with PCBs—there were no rules. Engineers, scientists, and technicians largely felt their way around in the dark, making things up as they went along. There was a great deal of innovation, guessing, and testing to make sure that early guidelines and estimates were correct by testing them. Still, they frequently made mistakes.
Cadence Unveils Arm-Based System Chiplet
11/20/2024 | Cadence Design SystemsCadence has announced a groundbreaking achievement with the development and successful tapeout of its first Arm-based system chiplet. This innovation marks a pivotal advancement in chiplet technology, showcasing Cadence's commitment to driving industry-leading solutions through its chiplet architecture and framework.