Thick-film polyester circuits are more flexible

In2tec is supporting the trend towards replacing hard-substrate PCBs with flexible thick-film polyester circuits, delivering a number of benefits.

In2tec - formed earlier this year following a management buyout of ITT Industries' membranes facility in Kettering - is supporting the trend towards replacing hard-substrate PCBs with flexible thick-film polyester circuits, delivering a number of benefits.

Most important from a design standpoint is the ability flexible circuits have in following a free flow curve, thus minimising front surface design restrictions.

Cost is another important factor.

Polyester substrates provide significant material cost saving versus conventional FR4 copper board or flexible Kapton technology.

Also, the ability to be extremely low profile and flexible means that by using polyester circuits manufacturing costs for complete front panel assembly can be reduced, as all components are provided on one circuit, eliminating the need for holes, soldering and mounting.

More, flexible circuit technology can reduce the necessity for additional flying leads, thereby reducing board to board connector requirements by as much as 50%.

Flexible polyester substrates weigh significantly less than their copper based counterparts and can reduce the need for additional daughterboards.

Finally, taking environmental issues into consideration, conductive adhesive technology used on polyester substrates allows a lead-free manufacturing process to be employed.

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