PCB Manufacturer Handle Large-Volume Orders
The PCB manufacturing process involves a number of complex steps. It is important for manufacturers to follow flex PCB design standards in order to produce high-quality products that meet all of the customer’s requirements. These standards also help to prevent manufacturing defects and other issues that could reduce the quality of a finished product.
A flex PCB manufacturer must be able to produce both large and small orders. This is a must to be competitive in the industry. Having a flexible manufacturing process allows you to serve customers more efficiently and offer them lower prices. This way, you can attract more customers and increase your business.
While many people take PCB design standards lightly, it’s not a practice you should overlook. Having compliant flex PCB designs not only ensures that your final product is built to specifications, but it also allows you to save money and time on production and shipping costs. In addition, compliance with these standards can reduce the risk of defective products being shipped to consumers or end users.
How Does a Flex PCB Manufacturer Handle Large-Volume Orders?
In the case of flex PCBs, the most common defect is delamination between layers. This causes a short circuit or other problems within the board and can be difficult to fix. In some cases, these defects can even be fatal for your product. Fortunately, a reputable flex PCB manufacturer will follow all of the appropriate guidelines and procedures to avoid these defects.
To avoid this problem, it’s essential to design your flex PCB correctly from the start. The first step is to determine the smallest angle at which the board can bend without damage. This is known as the minimum bending radius. This is the distance from a point of contact with the copper to a similar point on another layer.
Moreover, it’s also important to keep the area surrounding the bending point free of discontinuities such as vias, pins, and traces. These can cause stress cracks when the flex is bent and lead to premature failures. Instead, the traces should be routed perpendicular to the bend areas.
You should also consider the etch pattern and the thickness of the copper used for the traces. The etch pattern should be optimized for your specific application and the layer architecture. The thickness should be as low as possible to improve etch yields and control impedance. The etch pattern should also be designed to minimize stress on the flex.
Another important aspect of flex PCBs is the type of surface finish and what materials are used to protect it. There are several options for this, including a photo-imaged dry film and liquid photo-imaged polymer. A flex PCB manufacturer should be able to provide you with the right surface finish for your specific needs.
Finally, you should use a PCB stiffener to add mechanical support to the non-flexing areas of your flex PCB. This will help to reduce strain on the solder joints and prevent them from being damaged when the flex is bent. Stiffeners can be made from FR4, Kapton, or aluminum and are laminated to the flex or adhered using acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives.