FLEX007

Back 2023 09-14-2023 Electronics are continually evolving, driven by innovations in printed circuit board technology. Flexible PCBs have emerged as a revolutionary force, reshaping the PCB industry and influencing the design and functionality of countless electronic devices. Some believe that flexible PCBs are a relatively newer technology, but as we will see, that is not true. Since I’m an instructor, here’s a short history lesson on how we got here and what we can expect.

An Overview of Rigid-flex Design 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.

When I first started covering this industry in 1999, rigid-flex circuits were considered a niche market. In fact, Compaq was deemed a trendsetter for using rigid-flex in its laptops. Now, analysts at Credence Research predict that the rigid-flex market will top $5 billion by 2026, led in part by the adoption of IoT and the need to connect a variety of smart devices. That’s a pretty big niche. Rigid-flex circuits are everywhere, from servers and smartphones to cameras and pacemakers.

Reading time ( words) Compeq Manufacturing Co. Ltd, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of rigid-flex printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flex PCBs, has sustained its revenue growth, posting unaudited net sales of NT$6.46 billion ($202.02 million at $1:NT$31.98) for August 2023, up by 7.13% from the previous month. Year-on-year, July sales were down just 10.12%.

IDTechEx Asks Where Flexible Hybrid Electronics Add the Most Value Can digital and/or high throughput manufacturing be applied to circuit boards? Can stretchable electronics be produced without sacrificing processing capabilities? Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) is an emerging manufacturing methodology that aims to resolve both of these questions.

Reading time ( words) American Standard Circuits has purchased and installed new Schmoll SpeedMaster HDI 6 high technology drilling equipment provided by Burkle North America. Burkle North America President and CEO Kurt Palmer commented, “With the Speedmaster HDI 6, American Standard Circuits has acquired a state-of-the-art high speed drilling machine, with accuracy better than +/- 20um.

Reading time ( words) Compeq Manufacturing Co. Ltd, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of rigid-flex printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flex PCBs, has sustained its revenue growth, posting unaudited net sales of NT$6.46 billion ($202.02 million at $1:NT$31.98) for August 2023, up by 7.13% from the previous month. Year-on-year, July sales were down just 10.12%.

Reading time ( words) American Standard Circuits has purchased and installed new Schmoll SpeedMaster HDI 6 high technology drilling equipment provided by Burkle North America. Burkle North America President and CEO Kurt Palmer commented, “With the Speedmaster HDI 6, American Standard Circuits has acquired a state-of-the-art high speed drilling machine, with accuracy better than +/- 20μm.

Reading time ( words) American Standard Circuits will be exhibiting at this year’s European Microwave Week 2023 to be held at Messe Berlin, Berlin, Germany from September 17th through the 22nd. Anaya Vardya, President, and CEO of American Standard Circuits commented, “This is always a great show for us since it brings us up to date on Microwave and RF technology as well as providing us an annual glimpse into the European Market.