PCB boards come in all shapes and sizes to cater to all sorts of mechanical challenges. One such mechanical problem is the bending of the PCB board. Common rigid FR4 PCB boards have uniform and thick FR4 all over the PCB hence they cannot bend. Many PCB solutions still use FRC or Flat Ribbon Cable to connect two boards and assume them as one flexible PCB. However, these cables are not rigid, could easily get damaged, and hence are unreliable. Majorly, FRC could not maintain shape until tension was introduced on the cable.
To solve this problem, flexible PCBs were introduced but flexible PCBs are very expensive for mild bending of PCBs and have limitations on how many layers they can accommodate. For this purpose, Semiflex PCBs are used as they are cheaper, less complex and with proper design can bend up to certain angles without compromising structural integrity (usually, Semiflex PCBs are not used for attaining high bend angles).
Semiflex PCBs or Semi flexible PCBs are a unique kind of PCB that incorporates flexibility in a rigid PCB while still using the same rigid substrate (mostly FR4). Semiflex PCBs attain flexibility by thinning certain sections of PCBs. These sections are thin enough to bend but not break, therefore making the PCBs somewhat flexible (here “somewhat flexible” means there is a restricted number of times a Semi Rigid Flex PCB can be flexed without compromising the structural integrity of the whole PCB). The rigid part of a FR4 Semiflex PCB is the same as common rigid PCBs. The components are placed only on the rigid section of the PCB as placing components on the flexible section is complex and the components would reduce the overall flexibility of the flexible section.
In a nutshell, a FR4 Semiflex PCB is a special kind of PCB made up of rigid material that can be locally bent based on thinning the milling thickness of some sections on a PCB. Semiflex PCBs are deployed where the FR4 flex PCB is expected to be stiff, static and limited. For dynamic and extensive flex, Rigid Flex PCBs are used.
Many people get confused between Semiflex PCBs and Rigid Flex PCBs which are two different types of PCBs serving similar purposes with varied degrees of flexibility.
There are many advantages of Semi Flex PCB which makes it a popular choice in the flexible PCB industry. A few of them are: –
While Semiflex PCBs have various advantages, it has a fair share of disadvantages too Some of them are:
Semiflex PCB is used in various applications:
Semi flexible PCBs are not too complex, but they require some critical caution while using and designing them. Some of them are:
Compared with Rigid Flex PCB, the manufacturing and assembly process of Semiflex PCB is relatively less complicated, and most PCB manufacturers can contract this business. At this time, you need to conduct a comparative evaluation in terms of cost performance, quality, service level, etc. to select the best suitable Semiflex PCB manufacturer for you.
Viasion has more than 16 years of experience in Semiflex PCB manufacturing and assembly and is the first choice of many domestic and foreign enterprises. Why not stop and get to know us? Here are our advantages:
Viasion houses state-of-the-art flexible production lines in our own factory to manage all order sizes ranging from small to medium. Our advanced technology equipment and expert professionals ensure the production of quality FR4 semiflex PCB solutions only.
Viasion prioritizes long-term partnerships over short-term profits. So, we offer the best quotes in the industry for the mutual benefit of our client and company. We keep up with the market trends and find the best quality yet economical solutions for your semiflex PCB requirements.
We understand the need for timely delivery and strive to offer you the same. Our quick response quotation system, 24-hour production lines, automated processes, and dedicated professionals ensure that every order is delivered within the quoted time.
Viasion excels in handling all PCB-related solutions besides FR4 semiflex PCB production and assembly. We manage everything from raw material and PCB parts procurement to custom labeling and packaging. So, why deal with multiple agencies when Viasion manages all?
Our responsive support team always stays available to solve all your queries and keep you up-to-date with your order details. Our lifecycle management teams offer excellent post-sales services to manage repairs, maintenance, and next-generation upgrades.
If you have any questions about Semiflex PCB, you can consult us at any time. We hope to build a long-term cooperative relationship with you!
Viasion Technology is your trusted partner & one-stop shop for PCB fabrication, components sourcing, PCB assembly and electronic manufacturing. With more than 16 years of experience, we have been supplying high-quality PCBs with competitive pricing for 1000+ customers worldwide. Our company is ISO9001:2015 Certified & UL Listed, and all our products are 100% E-tested and inspected by AOI & X-RAY to meet the highest industry standards. So please get an instant quote from our sales team now, and we will take care of the rest.
Semi-flex PCBs are made with semi-flex rigid materials like FR4 or high-temperature polyimide (PTFE). The most common material is semi-flexible thin FR4 material.
The TG value of the base laminate decides the usage temperature of Semi-flex PCBs. Usually, FR4 semiflex PCBs are not suitable for very high-temperature applications. So, if we need to use our devices in high-temperature applications, we had better use flexible PCBs produced by polyimide material.
Important considerations include the usage environment of our applications, the flexibility of semi-flex PCBs, component placement, trace routing and insulated layers.
Controlled depth routing is a fundamental manufacturing technique used in semi-flex PCB manufacturing.
The following testing methods will be performed on semi-flex PCBs to ensure the quality of semi-flex PCBs.
Semi-flex PCBs are usually more expensive than standard PCBs due to their unique properties.
We can use semiflex PCBs if the device will only be bent to a certain degree or only be bent one time.
