An Overview of Rigid-flex Design
September 13, 2023 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute

For this month’s issue on rigid-flex design, we spoke with instructor Kris Moyer, who teaches the IPC class “PCB Design for Flex and Rigid-Flex Boards.” In this wide-ranging interview, Kris breaks down the hurdles facing rigid-flex designers and offers a variety of solutions for rigid board designers taking on their first rigid-flex circuits. He also provides a few horror stories to illustrate what happens if you don’t follow sound design practices, rules, and standards. And, as Kris points out, “Your fabricator is your friend.”
Andy Shaughnessy: What are you trying to get across to the students when you’re teaching rigid-flex design? What are the biggest challenges?
Kris Moyer: One of the biggest concepts I want to get across to students is that there are a lot of untapped, unforeseen, intangible benefits to rigid-flex, both from a design point of view and a total cost of ownership point of view. Rigid boards are usually connected with wire harnesses or cables, and we know that wire harnesses and cables are the largest point of failure in the system. Wires and cables tend to break, especially at the solder joints or pins. If we can remove all those harnesses and integrate all of that into the structure of the board, we can vastly reduce the failure rate of our designs.
If you choose to go rigid-flex, there is an initial cost expenditure: added processes, time, complexity, and all of that. But let's say I have a design with three circuit boards that would need two cable harnesses, one from board one to board two, and one from board two to board three. That's a grand total of five different item numbers I would need for each board. I would have three drawing numbers: a number for the schematic, a number for the board, and a number for the assembly. For three boards, that's nine drawings I must maintain, and then another two drawings per cable, and let's assume two cables. That's a total of 13 separate drawings and part numbers I have to maintain in my system.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the September 2023 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Indium Corporation Promotes Two Leaders in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Markets
08/05/2025 | Indium CorporationWith its commitment to innovation and growth through employee development, Indium Corporation today announced the promotions of Andy Seager to Associate Director, Continental Sales (EMEA), and Karthik Vijay to Senior Technical Manager (EMEA). These advancements reflect their contributions to the company’s continued innovative efforts with customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions Unveils Unified Global Website to Deepen Customer, Talent, and Stakeholder Engagement
07/31/2025 | MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsMacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, the electronics business of Elements Solutions Inc, today launched macdermidalpha.com - a unified global website built to deepen digital engagement. The launch marks a significant milestone in the business’ ongoing commitment to delivering more meaningful, interactive, and impactful experiences for its customers, talent, and stakeholders worldwide.
KOKI to Showcase Analytical Services and New HF1200 Solder Paste at SMTA Guadalajara 2025
07/31/2025 | KOKIKOKI, a global leader in advanced soldering materials and process optimization services, will exhibit at the SMTA Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum, taking place September 17 & 18, 2025 at Expo Guadalajara, Salón Jalisco Halls D & E in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Weller Tools Supports Future Talent with Exclusive Donation to SMTA Michigan Student Soldering Competition
07/23/2025 | Weller ToolsWeller Tools, the industry leader in hand soldering solutions, is proud to announce its support of the upcoming SMTA Michigan Expo & Tech Forum by donating a limited-edition 80th Anniversary Black Soldering Set to the event’s student soldering competition.
Koh Young Appoints Tom Hattori as President of Koh Young Japan
07/21/2025 | Koh YoungKoh Young Technology, the global leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, announced the appointment of Tom Hattori as President of Koh Young Japan (JKY).