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Applying DFM analysis to flexible PCB design

PCB DFM is critical for successfully manufacturing flex circuit boards

Reading time: 15 minutes
Rigid flex PCB designers review DFM analysis guidelines for a printed rigid flexible circuit board
Flex circuits present unique challenges to designers which differ from typical rigid PCBs.
The use of flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs), whether stand-alone or to connect rigid boards, has rapidly grown over the past decade. This growth has been driven by the proliferation of smaller form factors of products, such as wearable electronic devices. Because of their unique properties, flex circuits require special manufacturing methods compared to rigid PCBs and can be less tolerant of issues that negatively affect manufacturability.

PCB Design for flexible circuits

This paper describes design-for-manufacturing (DFM) methods for flex circuits to help identify and correct problems during design. Applying these DFM techniques can save costs and ensure the project stays on schedule.

Manufacturing flex and rigid-flex circuits presents unique challenges

Flex circuits and the interface between rigid and flex segments can have problems that do not exist with standard rigid PCBs. This whitepaper identifies 10 common challenges encountered by PCB designers and presents in-depth actionable design solutions catered specifically to the unique manufacturing process.

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