Standard of Excellence: Anticipating Customer Needs Early and Often
The Knowledge Base: At the Forefront of Electronics Manufacturing
Global Citizenship: Training the Next Generation of Talent
Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should
March 20, 2025 | Tony Plemel, Flexible Circuit TechnologiesEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
Decisions are usually made by gathering information and differing opinions, then making the best choice based upon that information. The same process is used when designing flexible circuits and rigid-flex circuits.
For example, when designing a flex circuit or rigid-flex circuit, we consider some basic factors:
- Required layer count
- The size and shape based upon limited space
- Components on one side or both sides of a rigid or stiffened area
- Electrical, mechanical needs
- Layer stackup
These factors need to be carefully weighed on their own merit, and on how they interact with each other, in order to arrive at the most reliable and cost-effective design.
Let’s say a customer comes to me with a four-layer rigid-flex circuit design where the rigid copper-clad material is on the top and the flex copper-clad is on the bottom.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the March 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Global PCB Connections: A Field Engineer’s Perspective on the Top 10 Trends to Watch
03/27/2025 | Jerome Larez -- Column: Global PCB ConnectionsAs a field application engineer for a major Chinese PCB company, I see firsthand the challenges and, more excitingly, the trends shaping our industry. Talking to engineers, designers, and procurement teams worldwide, one thing is clear: PCBs have come a long way, but we’re barely scratching the surface of what’s possible. Here are 10 trends I believe will define our industry over the next decade.
IPC Releases Latest List of Standards and Revisions
03/12/2025 | IPCEach quarter, IPC releases a list of standards that are new or have been updated. To view a complete list of newly published standards and standards revisions, translations, proposed standards for ballot, final drafts for industry review, working drafts, and project approvals, visit ipc.org/status. These are the latest releases for Q1 2025.
Growth and Innovation at FCT
02/26/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007During DesignCon, I met with Tony Plemel, senior applications engineer at Flexible Circuit Technologies (FCT), to discusses the company’s growth and expansion opportunities, including its expansion of its inTFlex EMS facility. In this interview, Tony explains how FCT’s commitment to customer service and focus on communication and responsiveness allow the company to leverage its capabilities for continued expansion.
Expansion, Retirement, and New Leadership at FCT
01/09/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineIn the dynamic landscape of interconnect solutions, Flexible Circuit Technology (FCT) is making waves through significant leadership changes and expansion initiatives. Vice President Carey Burkett, newly appointed executive vice president Ray Cottrell, and marketing director Abby Meyer share their vision for steering the company toward innovative growth. FCT has a robust focus on diverse markets such as medical, automotive, consumer electronics, and HDI (high density interconnect). They are accelerating FCT’s mission to provide exceptional value and service to customers throughout the product lifecycle.
IPC Releases Latest List of Standards and Revisions
12/17/2024 | IPC Community Editorial TeamEach quarter, IPC releases a list of standards that are new or have been updated. To view a complete list of newly published standards and standards revisions, translations, proposed standards for ballot, final drafts for industry review, working drafts, and project approvals, visit ipc.org/status. These are the latest releases for Q4 2024.