Flex and Rigid-Flex Circuits

If you’re looking for a high-quality flex or rigid-flex circuit, look no further than Cirexx. Our expert capabilities come from more than 30 years of building flex and rigid-flex circuits for a wide variety of applications and industries. Our highly skilled engineers work with clients from the beginning of every project to address any challenges and provide valuable recommendations on the type of PCB needed, materials, and how to design for manufacturability.

Whether you need a quick turn flex or rigid-flex circuit — or an entirely different type of PCB — we have the capabilities, equipment, and experience to meet your needs and offer value-added services for all types of PCB layout, fabrication, and assembly.

 

Similarities and Differences Between Flex and Rigid-Flex PCBs

A flexible PCB is a printed circuit board that can be shaped and designed to fit into a specific product or system.

A flex, or flexible, circuit is a made of thin, flexible material. Applications for flex circuits can be as simple as a one-layer circuit. A multilayer printed wiring circuit board contains three or more copper conductive layers, usually with plated through holes.

If the multilayer circuit board is constructed of both flexible and rigid materials, it’s referred to as a rigid-flex circuit board.

A rigid-flex circuit board is a 3D interconnect that can be bent and folded into almost any shape. Rigid-flex technology allows designers to replace multiple PCBs with interconnecting wires and/or cables into one single unit, offering improved performance and increased reliability. Rigid-flex circuits can have up to 50 layers, replacing bulky wire harnesses with a compact but robust design.

Rigid-flex circuit board technology reduces the need for bulky, heavy wire harness cables within an electronic system. It also saves installation time and part costs and results in a cleaner — and typically more compact — top level assembly.

Applications for Flex and Rigid-Flex Circuits

  • Medical devices: CAT imaging systems, ultrasonic scanners, blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, pacemakers, and more
  • Industrial machinery: Manufacturing equipment, which includes automation and processing equipment
  • Lighting: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are used in everything from residential homes to stores, computer displays, and hospitals
  • Automotive: LiDAR, navigation and entertainment systems, control systems, and sensors
  • Military aerospace: Monitoring and communication equipment, power supplies, flight systems, and hardware
  • Defense: Communications equipment, radar, control systems, computers, vehicles, firearms, and warfighter equipment
  • Consumer products: PCBs are found in most everyday items around your home or office: cell phones, tablets, dishwashers, computers, radios, home appliances, ear buds, and many more
  • Oil industry: Monitoring and downhole sensors

Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB Manufacturing Lead Times

It's important to note that all lead times are technology dependent. 
Flex
1-10 days (2-week standard lead) 
Multilayer Flex (3-6 layers)
2-15 days (3-week standard lead) 
Multilayer flex (8-30 layers)
7-20 days 
Rigid-flex (2-6 layers)
5-15 days (3-week standard lead) 
Rigid-flex (8-30 layers)
7-20 days

Flex and Rigid Circuits

Cirexx has extensive experience working with the most challenging PCB designs — including those with extremely tight tolerances. The depth of our manufacturing expertise is why our customers choose Cirexx; every year, we invest in state-of-the-art equipment and the newest technology to provide the best capabilities and hold very tight PCB fabrication tolerances.

Contact us today for more information on our capabilities and how tolerances may affect PCB production.

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Client Testimonial

"Wanted to let you know that you guys absolutely nailed it! For a board of this size and number of components to be up and running so quickly is a real testament to your team. Again, please relay our gratitude."
Chris

Client Testimonial

"Pass our appreciation on to the team that made this happen quickly to help us meet on pressing schedule. We have received these and have started installing these on the flex cables to eliminate future problems."
Conrad

Client Testimonial

"We got the boards, early, and so far everything looks great. One mole successfully whacked! Please thank your team for getting this one out ahead of the holiday weekend."
Drew

Client Testimonial

"Just a quick note, I’ve been inundated with fresh assemblies from Cirexx; so far, so good. Just wanted to say thanks to you and your team for helping us meet our deadlines."
James
Electrical Engineer

Client Testimonial

"The boards just arrived and they look really good. Thank you for keeping me up to date with the progress of them, and providing the rush shipment."
James
R&D Design Engineer

Client Testimonial

"I’m the gentleman that contacted you a month or so ago about the prebake profile of the flexible circuit board. We have fully processed the complete run of the boards and had spectacular results. It is the only time we have had a 99% first pass yield for this particular board. Good job!"
John

Client Testimonial

"We’ve received and tested the boards and they look great. Thanks for all your support this past year. Happy holidays and looking forward to continuing to work with Cirexx."
Katrik Johnson
Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Client Testimonial

"I would like to thank you for taking care of all the issues with this order (on our side and yours) in a prompt and professional manner. It is always a pleasure doing business with you."
Sasha
Project Engineer

Client Testimonial

"Just when I get not so good news from another supplier, I get really good news from Cirexx!! If you ever want to branch out into other areas, say cables, just let me know. I could use more suppliers like you! Thanks for making my day…again!"
Susan

Cirexx is Your Flexible PCB Manufacturer

Cirexx has industry-leading technology and facilities, and our team can fulfill all of your flex and rigid-flex PCB manufacturing needs. We invite you to contact us today so we can answer any questions you may have and learn more about your next project.

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We use a well-organized process and the right software to provide you with a quote within 24 hours. After you upload your information, including any fabrication drawings or schematics, our system and engineering staff will analyze the data and provide us with a comprehensive document so we can take a closer look at your project.

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