See our FAQ’s for general PFC information, or contact us for more details!
IPC 6013 states that a polyimide circuit can be bent up to a radius of 10 times the overall thickness of the material stack-up. However, please talk to PFC when designing your flex. Because of the multitude of available material choices and acquired design techniques, there maybe an opportunity to meet your bend requirements.
Flexible circuits consist of conductive strips of metal, usually copper, encapsulated with an insulating dielectric material that allows the circuit to bend, resists moisture and contamination, is resilient to high temperatures and is an excellent insulator.
A flex circuit can operate at 125° C for extended periods with DuPont coverlays and adhesives. Using Espanex coverlays and adhesiveless materials a flex circuit can withstand extended periods of 170° C.
PFC is currently participating in ITAR projects and is qualified to do so even though PFC is a Canadian company. The ITAR regulations generally prohibit the export of ITAR-controlled goods and technical data outside of the US without an export license. Section 126.5 (c) of the ITAR (Canadian Exemption) provides an exemption for the export of technical data to Canada as necessary for the performance of certain “defense services”.
Non-recurring engineering (NRE) refers to the one-time cost to research, develop, design and test a new product. Manufacturing flex circuits, rigid flex and flex assemblies involves the development of different types of items that will require a one-time charge. In general there are 3 categories of tooling for manufacturing a flex circuit: photo tool, outline die and electrical test. On your initial quotation from PFC, you will see NRE charges.
PFC prefers to have a gerber file and a drawing with critical dimensions. If the flex is to be assembled, PFC will need a bill of materials, approved vendors and an assembly drawing.
Please see the PFC quote request checklist for more details.
AutoCad .dwg,(DXF)
Gerber (RS274X)
ODB++
3D Viewer (*STP File)
Yes. PFC has invested in robotic equipment to provide conformal coating.
Contact Us for more information.
Yes, we do. In order for PFC to manufacture an assembly, we require particular items.
In most cases the circuit itself is not specifically approved. What is approved by UL is the material stack-ups and adhesives. Since its inception, PFC has been submitting material stack-ups to UL and has a list of approved constructions.
Yes. PFC can provide 50 micron lines and space and as small as 50 micron holes.
Please visit HDI technology
Yes. You can place surface mount components on a flex circuit, similar to a printed circuit board.
Contact us for more information.
Yes. Flex circuits can be shielded using various methods; including but not limited to additional copper layers, silver paste, and by using additional shielding materials. Costs vary on what shielding solution is chosen.
Consult PFC for questions you may have regarding shielding. Learn more about shielding.
Yes. PFC has many customers currently wire bonding to a flex.
Yes. PFC has designed many circuits that are high speed designs and require impedance control.
Please visit Knowledge Center for more information.
Flex circuits are regularly used in high current/power applications. Some application examples of designs produced at PFC include bus bars, backplanes, and power distribution cables. Most of the high current applications PFC develops are to replace wire harnesses. Learn more about high current flex circuit designs.
Many flex circuit applications have a ZIF interface.
The aspect ratio for a flex circuit depends on the number of circuit layers, materials used and whether the vias are blind or buried. Please contact PFC to discuss your design.
REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances (REACH). Learn more about REACH and PFC compliance.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) is the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but RoHS restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. Learn more about RoHS and PFC compliance.
A flex circuit can operate at 125° C for extended periods with DuPont coverlays and adhesives. Using Espanex coverlays and adhesiveless materials a flex circuit can withstand extended periods of 170° C.
Standard stiffener material offered is FR4 (PCB material). Other options are aluminum, steel, ceramics, and polyimide. There are many variations of stiffeners and different reasons for creating a stiffened area. Consult PFC for the most cost effective solution. Learn more about flex circuit materials.