Soft Printed Circuit Board Advantages and Applications in Electronic Manufacturing
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are commonly found in electronic devices as they serve several functions. Think of them as the brain of electronic devices. There are many types of circuit boards, and which one is right for a particular device is based on the applications and environment of the final product.
A soft PCB is also known as a flexible printed circuit board. It is a circuit board that can bend, fold, or twist depending on what capabilities are required of the electronic device. This circuit board is an innovative invention in the electronic industry as it serves many purposes. A soft PCB is lightweight and flexible; however, the processing of this circuit board requires further protocols like material handling, special clamping, and experienced electronic manufacturers.
Benefits of Soft Printed Circuit Boards
Soft PCBs offer many benefits. These circuit boards aren’t just flexible, they have unique features making them essential in the electronic industry. Some of these benefits include:
Light weight
Soft PCBs are lightweight, often created from plastic or epoxy. Soft circuit boards don’t feature substrate cores. Their low weight is a result of the surface mount technology (SMT) components on them. In addition, soft PCBs are composed of very thin substrate materials.
Small Size
One of the biggest advantages of a soft PCB is its size. This circuit board can be built to fit into compact spaces with an ability to adjust. Another advantage of a soft PCB is it contains negligible width, much like paper.
Resistance to High Temperature
Soft PCBs can resist high temperatures, making them ideal for the oil and gas sector. In these sectors, rigid boards can easily melt out. The ability of soft PCBs to withstand varying high temperatures depends on the material used during fabrication.
Improved Capability
There’s a common misconception that soft PCBs don’t possess the same capabilities as rigid boards because of their flexibility. However, soft circuit boards have excellent ability to perform in many applications as they improve the general performance of electronic devices by enhancing component density.
High Durability
Soft PCBs, when treated well, can stand the test of time. These boards are extremely durable since their manufacturing takes place under precise conditions. Also, these boards are usually coated with formulated materials.
Reliability
Soft PCBs integrate fewer mechanical connectors. Also, there’s a minimal use of interconnection points, proving the system to be more reliable. Furthermore, a soft PCB enables increased heat dissipation, and that can be very beneficial in many devices.
Applications of Soft Printed Circuit Boards
While not as common as rigid PCBs, soft PCBs are regularly used in certain applications. These include:
Wearables
Soft PCBs are commonly used in smart watches, spy microphones, and compact cameras. Soft PCBs have proven to be very useful in the production of wearable devices including those in the medical industry.
Printers
Printers utilize soft PCBs because they offer a pathway to link signals with the arm of the disk drive.
Consumer Electronics
Soft PCBs are ideal for use in consumer electronics like smart phones, calculators, and entertainment devices.
Medical Devices
Soft PCBs are also ideal for some medical devices, especially wearables. Soft PCBs are found in heart monitor devices, body-mounted sensors, and fitness trackers. Patients wear these devices to regulate and monitor specific ailments in the body, so PCBs in medical devices have to stand up to constant wear and remain precise and reliable.
Industry
Some industrial devices include soft boards. Soft PCBs are perfect for use in the production of robotic arms, barcode equipment, and processing machines.
Flexible PCBs are ideal for use in main electronic sectors, like wearables, telecommunications, medical devices, aerospace, and automotive among many others.
Does Your Project Need a Flexible PCB?
At Levison Enterprises, we utilize the latest in traditional and flexible PCB technology, designed to provide precisely what your product needs. Contact us today to discover the many ways our turnkey process can help you build a better product.
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