Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Insulectro Flex Materials Showcase Offers Tips for Technologists
October 13, 2023 | Andy Shaughnessy and Tobey Marsicovetere, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Insulectro continues its drive to educate PCB designers about the ins and outs of advanced flex materials. On Sept. 19, the company hosted an all-day seminar on flexible and printed electronic materials at its San Jose, Calif., facility.
The event kicked off with a presentation by Dave Rosenfeld, a technical fellow at Celanese, which acquired DuPont’s mobility and materials business last year. Dave focused on designing flexible heaters with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thick film inks. With PTC inks, resistance increases as temperatures rise, so someone who’s wearing a jacket with a flexible heater will not get burned when the device is set on high.
DuPont’s Greg Roettger discussed the hundreds of iterations of Kapton®, the first polyimide invented by DuPont in the 1960s. He noted that some type of Kapton was used on every NASA mission to the Moon and Mars, as well as the James Webb Space Telescope.
Insulectro’s Chris Hunrath detailed some of the recent advances in rigid-flex technologies, such as no-flow pre-preg and lead-free rigid-flex materials. He also offered tips for working with rigid-flex bookbinders, which increase the length of traces away from the bend radius, thus releasing pressure on other traces, helping to avoid buckling.
Breakfast was provided, and lunch came courtesy of a great Mexican food truck. After the presentations, we enjoyed a little beer, wine, and conversation. Insulectro has been holding these seminars for years, and they draw a good audience every time.
Article photo credit: Tobey Marsicovetere, I-Connect007
Share on:
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
Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
10/28/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationRigid-flex printed circuit boards are a highly effective solution for placing complex circuitry in tight, three-dimensional spaces. They are now indispensable across a range of industries, from medical devices and aerospace to advanced consumer electronics, helping designers make the most efficient use of available space. However, their unique construction—combining rigid and flexible materials—presents a fundamental challenge for PCB manufacturers.
Elkem Launches Biocompatible, Conductive SILBIONE LSR for Advanced Medical Devices
10/23/2025 | PRNewswireElkem ASA, a global leader in advanced silicon-based materials, unveiled SILBIONE LSR Select EC 70, a next-generation medical-grade liquid silicone rubber. Designed for wearable and diagnostic devices, the material combines high electrical conductivity, certified biocompatibility1, and enhanced process control, setting a new standard for precision healthcare applications.
Flex Sites in Brazil and Mexico Recognized as Manufacturing Leaders by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence
10/21/2025 | PRNewswireFlex announced that its sites in Manaus, Brazil, and our plastics operations in Guadalajara, Mexico, each received an Excellence Award from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), demonstrating global leadership in continuous improvement and operational excellence.
OE-A Business Climate Survey: Solid Growth for the Flexible and Printed Electronics Industry
10/21/2025 | OE-AFor 2026 the industry has more positive expectations, with a sales forecast of +14 percent, which has even increased slightly compared to the beginning of the year. Further encouraging signs include improved employment prospects. 30 percent of companies plan to increase their workforce in the coming months — up from 10 percent in February.
FCT Leverages Flex Design and Total Build Solutions to Drive Innovation
10/22/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineWhat’s hot in flexible circuits right now? At PCB West, I spoke with Ben Savage, business development manager at Flexible Circuit Technologies (FCT), about their flex design services and end-markets where FCT sees the most flex activity. We also discussed the company’s focus on providing supply chain resiliency, as well as the constant search for new flex engineers. If you’re looking for a new opportunity in flexible circuits, FCT is hiring.