Unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) Rigid-Flex PCB(R-FPCB)

Overview

Rigid-flex PCB is a new type of printed circuit board that combines the durability of rigid PCB and the adaptability of flexible PCB. This combination makes it the most resistant to harsh application environments among all types of PCB, earning it favor from manufacturers of industrial control PCB, medical PCB, and military equipment PCB.

Process Classification

Soft and Hard Composite Board

If classified by process, the way of joining the soft board and the hard board can be divided into two categories: the soft and hard composite board and the soft and hard combination board. The soft and hard composite board technology allows the soft board and the hard board to be combined during the process, often incorporating blind hole and buried hole designs. This enables the adoption of higher-density circuit designs.

Soft and Hard Combination Board

The technology of the soft and hard combination board involves separating the soft board from the hard board after fabrication and then pressing them together to form a single circuit board. This design includes signal connections but no through holes.

Material, Equipment, and Process Differences

Materials

There are differences in materials between hard and soft boards. The material of the hard board is FR4, which is commonly used in PCB manufacturing. The material of the soft board is PI or PET. The joint between these two materials presents a challenge due to their different hot compression shrinkage rates, which can affect product stability.

Stress Considerations

Due to the three-dimensional space configuration of soft and hard PCB, in addition to considering XY-axis stress, Z-axis stress bearing is also an important consideration. To address this, some material suppliers provide improved materials for PCB hard and soft board manufacturers, such as epoxy resin or modified resin, to meet the bonding requirements of hard and soft boards.