Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
A Potpourri of Design PD Classes
May 14, 2024 | Kelly Dack, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
What is invention without innovation? What is innovation without capability? What is capability without standards and guidelines? What are standards and guidelines without the design and manufacturing stakeholders who produce them?
Folks say that invention involves the creation of things entirely new, while innovation is the process of improving the creations or finding new ways to use them. This observation holds true in all realms of PCB design. However, PCB designers, seated at PCB design workstations with very powerful CAD tools at hand, often misunderstand the concept of invention. Like a new musician making a lead error in a blues riff will refer to off-color notes as “jazz,” many new PCB designers not checking in with supplier capabilities will consider their work an “invention.”
A mistake is a mistake. DFM is a step in the innovation process, which is a necessary part of design. If new materials or processes do not exist, applying the concept of invention involves long timelines and astronomical financial backing, which must occur in order to reach the goals of a new product concept.
On Sunday, April 7, I attended a “design for” Professional Development session taught by Dale Lee. Presented as a two-part morning and afternoon class, Dale covered some very important DFs: design for manufacture (DFM), design for reliability (DFR), and design for assembly (DFA), referred to holistically as DFX (design for excellence). Lee gave many examples that stressed the importance of following industry standards and guidelines in the design of printed boards and assemblies. He stressed the importance of becoming familiar with common materials, machinery, and processes the PCB industry uses in order to “design for” measured success needed by the industry in order to provide measurable quality, performance, and reliability.
Later that morning, I bounced over to the “Ask the Flexperts” PD sessions featuring Mark Finstad and Nick Koop from TTM. Both innovators in their own rights, this Flexpert tag team was able to cover all aspects of flex and rigid-flex design principles to not only confirm industry-proven design methodology but follow up with tangible, expert, manufacturing stakeholder responses from TTM to illustrate what designers can do to improve their future flex designs. The two generously provided all attendees with a tote ring of flex circuit reference material, which can serve as a tactile guide in determining how flex structures behave mechanically.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the 2024 issue of Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
03/28/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I’ve spent my week recovering from a busy and interesting week in Anaheim for the 25th IPC APEX EXPO. I think back to my first APEX EXPO, and the changes since then are too numerous to count. I first attended in 2004, also in Anaheim, back when there was almost no design content in the conference or expo portions of the show. It was just a few years after the downturn, and attendees and exhibitors alike were skittish, almost afraid to show confidence in our industry. A few unemployed design friends handed out copies of their resumes. Travel budgets were still down, and the aisles weren’t exactly packed with traffic.
It’s Only Common Sense: 7 Tips to Focus on What Works
03/31/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseIn business, there’s always the temptation to be all things to all people, whether it’s expanding product lines, chasing every lead, or trying to keep up with competitors. The fear of missing out can lead to spreading our time, resources, and energy too thin. However, success doesn’t come from doing everything; it comes from doing the right things well.
HARTING 3D-Circuits Leads 3D-MID Innovation: Transforming Consumer Electronics with Advanced Technology
03/27/2025 | PRNewswireThe consumer electronics industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, propelled by rapid technological advancements and an increasing demand for compact, efficient, and multifunctional devices. Central to this evolution is 3D-MID (Three-Dimensional Mechatronic Integrated Devices) technology, which redefines design standards and drives innovation.
GlobalFoundries Certifies Ansys Lumerical Photonic Design Tools for GF Fotonix™ Platform
03/27/2025 | PRNewswireAnsys and GlobalFoundries collaborated to certify four Ansys photonic solvers, empowering engineers to simulate passive and active photonic components with high-fidelity in the GF Fotonix platform.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Emphasizing Sustainability in PCB Design with Summit Interconnect
03/27/2025 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOAndy Shaughnessy and Gerry Partida of Summit Interconnect discuss the rising customer interest in sustainability within PCB design. Gerry points out that many designs neglect sustainability, resulting in low yields and higher costs. The conversation stresses the importance of adhering to PCB standards and collaborating with fabricators to tackle design challenges and enhance sustainability.