Decreasing Bend Radius and Improving Reliability- Part II
November 22, 2019 | Kelsey Smith, All FlexEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Application: Design guidelines to improve the flexibility and reliability of flexible circuits.
Many of the issues that arise when using a flex circuit come from a lack of knowledge about how to properly design one, especially when the circuit is required to bend. Many novices will design a circuit that calls for bending the flex in too tight of a bend radius, which can cause damage to the circuit and lower the reliability of the end product. This series of articles will focus on the seven key aspects to consider when designing for maximum durability and maximum “flexibility”. It is important to know that because flexibility is a relative term this study will instead use the term reducing bend radius. Below are two of the seven design strategies. Please see Part I and Part III for more tips!
3. Do not allow electroless copper as a seed layer prior to plating vias.
- Also, an area to be concerned about is the type of plating your vendor uses. Some copper plating requires a seed layer of electroless copper. This seed layer becomes an ED copper layer and can lead to conductor cracking. For a tight bend radius direct metallization is the preferred plating method.
4. Use only Polyimide covers in the flexing area.
- There are two options for applying dielectric material over copper:
A. Polyimide cover material: This is the preferred material in areas where parts will be bent. As a general rule, you will want to specify a dielectric thickness and adhesive thickness separately. A rule of thumb is that for every 1 ounce of copper thickness there is 1 mil of adhesive thickness.
B. Flexible Solder Mask: Flexible solder mask has a minimum bend radius of 0.4” and is not recommended for any dynamic flexing application or application where the bend radius will be tighter than 0.4”
Suggested Items
Indium Corporation to Present, Exhibit at EPP InnovationsFORUM
03/28/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation is set to present and exhibit at EPP InnovationsFORUM, one of Europe’s premier single-day electronics manufacturing forums, on April 17 in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany. Topic areas for 2024 will include AI, automation, sustainability, and quality.
Reducing Nitrogen Consumption in Convection Soldering with Rehm Thermal Systems' Patented Mechatronic Curtain
03/28/2024 | Rehm Thermal SystemsCurrent developments indicate a need for larger throughput heights due to the trend towards e-mobility, which in turn increases nitrogen consumption for process inertization. Rehm Thermal Systems responds to this issue with an innovative solution: the mechatronic curtain.
Indium Corporation, Industry Partners to Showcase Products “Live@APEX”
03/26/2024 | Indium CorporationIndium Corporation®, in cooperation with its industry partners, will feature its proven solder solutions live on the show floor throughout IPC APEX Expo from Apr. 9‒11 in Anaheim, Calif., U.S.
ITW EAE Wins New Product Introduction Award for Electrovert® Wave Soldering Machine Deep Wave
03/26/2024 | ITW EAEITW EAE is proud to announce that it has earned a 2024 New Product Introduction (NPI) Award for Electrovert’s Deep Wave option for wave soldering machines. This new, innovative system provides the ability to pump up to a 20 mm wave height.
Mek's Next-Gen AOI Technology Takes Center Stage at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
03/19/2024 | MEKMek is excited to announce its presence at IPC APEX EXPO, North America's largest electronics manufacturing event, in Anaheim, California, from April 6-11, 2024. Attendees are invited to visit Mek at booth #1433 to explore the latest AOI technology offerings.
Copyright © 2024 I-Connect007 | IPC Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Log in