Levison Enterprises Blog

Flex Circuit vs. Rigid Circuit: Which is Right for Your Project?

Gone are the days when a printed circuit board was only available as a rigid board that allowed for minimal design versatility. The introduction of flexible PCBs into electronic manufacturing has opened up limitless design possibilities. While using the cutting edge technology of a flex circuit seems extremely appealing, sometimes utilizing a traditional rigid board might be better. Which one you use for your project will vary based on a number of considerations, including the end application.

Obsolete Parts Present the Greatest Vulnerability in Counterfeit Supply Chain

Counterfeits are everywhere. The electronic industry is particularly vulnerable. Electronic technology is rapidly changing, and sometimes it is hard for companies to keep up. The need to regularly source parts or complete a rapid redesign due to parts obsolescence only increases the risk of fakes making their way into your product. It may seem like an uphill battle, but taking time to employ stricter counterfeit electronic component detection and avoidance methods could be the key to ensuring high-quality in your next project.

Your Guide to Flex PCB Types

The electronics industry is constantly evolving. There is a constant demand for products to do more in a much smaller package. Luckily, technology in the form of a flexible printed circuit board allows this to happen. Flexible PCBs are designed for saving room and allowing for a smaller and higher density mounting design. Because they can bend, fold, twist, and change in width, flexible circuit boards provide some major benefits over traditional rigid boards. This includes the ability to fit circuits into tight spaces with almost unlimited design freedom.

Parts Obsolescence Continues to Cause Headaches in Electronic Manufacturing

The electronic manufacturing industry has been battling the problem of parts obsolescence for decades. In an environment where the lifecycle of a component is shorter than the lifecycle of a product, part shortages lead to other headaches. Counterfeit electronic components entering the supply chain is one of the biggest issues resulting from hard-to-source parts. Manufacturers often find themselves scrambling to obtain parts, and when this happens it makes them particularly vulnerable. The key to combat this is by making sure steps are in place to minimize risks by practicing counterfeit electronic component detection and avoidance.

Benefits of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board Design

Rigid printed circuit boards are just fine for a number of applications, but depending on how you choose to utilize the PCBs, you may need to take it to the next level. That's when flexible PCBs enter the picture - they give you the ability to really custom-tailor your next PCB project, moving innovation and design forward.

How Serious is the Impact of Counterfeit Parts in the Aerospace and Defense Industry?

Government supply chains are constantly under siege by counterfeit parts. Over the last decade, even through vigilant efforts, there has been a marked increase in the number of counterfeit parts found in everything from aerospace to defense electronics. It's not that nothing was being done about the problem. Instead, counterfeit parts became harder to detect, as well as becoming more sophisticated. The danger they posed to government contractors and end-users became no less intense.

How to Choose the Right Cable Assembly Company for Your Project

The electronic industry comes with a lot of choices. Choosing the right manufacturer to partner with on a project shouldn't be a stressful situation. Sure, there is a wide variety of custom cable assemblies and cable assembly manufacturers to select from. You need a contractor that will not just meet your needs, but also considers quality, cost, production time, and reducing the chance of cable defects into the job. Here are some things to look for when choosing the right cable assembly company for your project.

Prevent Counterfeit Parts in Your Aerospace Supply Chain

When you think about counterfeits, naturally your mind turns to fake $100 bills or pirated DVDs. Counterfeit goods can be produced to replicate anything of value, however, and show up wherever there is money to be made in their trafficking. Counterfeit goods are always an imitation of the original, in all things but quality. When counterfeit parts make it into the supply chain, they lead to significant degradation of quality overall.

What are the Differences Between ISO9001 and AS9100?

Spend enough time around ECMs and you are sure to see terms like ISO9001 or AS9100 pop up. ECMs that have earned those certifications follow rigorous standards for quality, but you may have wondered what those certifications stand for, and why it matters.

Exploring the Difference Between Cable Assemblies and Wire Harnesses

To the layperson, cable assemblies and wire harnesses sound like the same thing. The fact that the terms get thrown around interchangeably by those in the know contribute to the confusion. But while the two share many similarities, there is a difference. The basic differences between the two come down to what they are built for. One exists for purely organizational simplicity, while the other is designed to offer more protection from the environment. There are other more technical differences as well.

Benefits of Custom Cable Assembly

When a generic cable assembly isn’t fitting your needs perfectly, it may be time for you to consider stepping up to a custom cable assembly that is designed, engineered, and manufactured for your specific needs. There are a number of advantages to going the custom-design route, and all of them bring benefits to your project.

How Important is Functional Testing in PCB Manufacturing?

After all the designing, testing, simulating, and prototyping, there's one last step before PCBs go to assembly. In a field where error testing and stomping out defects is a never ending quest for perfection, functional testing represents the last opportunity to get things just right.