The growing demand for flexible Printed Circuit Boards (Flex PCBs) has many reasons. The advantages of flexible PCBs will lead to a higher demands and different concepts in PCB design.

Try our unique, easy and fair-priced online calculation for flexible printed circuits now! 1- or 2layer flex, plated - many options are waiting for you to explore.

Flexible PCBs have several advantages:

• Space saving- Due to its flexibility, flexible PCBs can be perfectly fit into housings.
• Weight saving - Thin substrates weigh a lot less than conventional FR4 PCB materials
• Cost reduction- replacement of connectors can save money in purchasing as well as in PCB assembly

Several PCB base materials and technologies are available:

• Material thickness: starting with 0,0125mm polyimide substrate plus adhesive and copper
• Number of layers: 1- to 6-layers flexible multilayer PCB
• Through hole plating (THP): yes
• Solder mask: yes
• Surface finish: immersion tin, OSP, immersion gold
• Copper thickness: 9µm, 12µm, 18µm, 35µm
• Material types: Polyimide (Kapton) / Polyester (PET)
• Structures: >= 3mil
• Drill size: >= 0,10mm
• Mechanical process: laser, punching (soft or hard tool), hand cut

You can download the FPC-datasheet here and learn more about the possibilities of your flexible printed circuits from LeitOn.

Read more about the technology options for your flexible printed circuits in a clearly arranged and detailed table.

Standards in the flexible PCB online calculation:

• Total thickness 1-layer: about 0,13mm +/-10%
• Total thickness 2-layers: about 0,15mm bis 0,20mm
• Number of layers: 1 to 2 layers
• Copper thickness 1-layer: 35µm
• Copper thickness 2-layers: 35µm
• Through hole plating (THP): yes, for double sided flexible PCBs
• Solder mask oder cover lay: yes, depending on structures
• Surface finish: immersion gold
• Material type: Polyimide
• Smallest structures: 6mil
• Electrical test: optional
• Silk print top: optional
• Stiffeners: FR4 0,20mm optional
• Smallest finished hole size (plated): 0,25mm
• Mechanical process: drilling / outline punched (soft tool) and hand cut (on round sides etc.)

Download flexible printed circuit stack-ups:

• Stack-up - 1 layer FPC
• Stack-up - 2 layer FPC
• Stack-up - 4 layer FPC

Note:
The provided stack-ups are examples and do not account as a standard. If you have any special requirements for your flexible boards, please notify us in your enquiry. Thank you very much!

Directly to our unique online calculation for flexible printed circuits!

The production of flexible PCBs - LeitOn FLEX - is done in China. Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) prototypes as well as serial production in high quality is possible there. You can take advantage of lower prices which will make flexible PCBs a real alternative to rigid PCBs with cables. With us the step from a flexible PCB prototype to serial production becomes small and convenient.

LeitOn FLEX - flexible reliability!

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1. What do I have to consider to achieve the highest ductility possible for flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
2. Is it possible to apply plated-through drillings throughout the flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
   This is feasable, though it is recommended to reduce the number of through-platings in bending areas of the board. Strong deflexions may then cause damage to the copper casing and lead to an interruption of the circuit path.
3. Is it possible to mount SMDs onto flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
4. Is it possible to carry out double-sided FPCs with LeitOn Flex?
5. Is it possible to carry out flexible multi-layer FPC with LeitOn Flex?
6. May flexible printed circuits (FPC) be buckled?
7. Is a soldering mask lacquer applied onto flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
8. Which surface materials can be chosen for flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
9. What is the Tg of Flex-boards?
10. Are flexible printed circuit boards UL-compliant?
11. Are polyimide and Kapton identical?
12. What is the maximum operating temperature of flexible PCBs with polyimide foil?
13. What is polyimide?
14. Can flexible printed circuit boards be used for high-frequency applications?
15. What is the value for the dielectricity constant of flexible polyimide foils?
16. What is the value for voltage resistance of polyimide?
17. What is the value of leakage resistance (CTI) of polyimide?
18. Is specialised machinery required for the fabrication of flexible PCBs?
19. Which mechanical procedures can be applied when fabricating flexible PCBs?
20. Is it possible to order production-run amounts when I am satisfied with the fabricated prototypes?
21. Does polyimide have any disadvantages?
22. What are the delivery periods for flexible printed circuit boards?
23. Where are most of the flexible PCBs applied?
24. Are flexible PCBs RoHS-compliant?
25. How thin are flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
26. How thick is the copper layer on flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
27. Which base materials are used for Flex-PCBs?
28. Is it recommendable to apply tear-drops for connecting the pads?
29. Can circuit paths be placed at will on FPCs?
30. Do I have to consider certain directions or angles for placing circuit paths on flexible PCBs?
31. Can I be creative in designing the layout of flexible printed circuit boards?
32. What are the advantages of flexible printed circuits (FPC)?
33. What has to be considered in designing the layout of flexible printed circuits?

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