Rigid-Flex PCB

Rigid and flexible sections in one board, built to IPC-6013, for compact assemblies without board-to-board connectors.

One board in place of several.

A rigid-flex board combines rigid sections that carry the components with flexible polyimide sections that connect them. The flex layers run through the rigid parts as inner layers, so the finished board is a single part that folds into its housing with no connectors or cables between the sections.

Removing connectors saves space and weight and takes out the joints that are most exposed to vibration and shock. That is why rigid-flex is common in defence, subsea and other equipment that has to keep working in harsh conditions. We supply rigid-flex boards built to IPC-6013, in IPC Class 2 or Class 3.

When to choose it

Several boards must fold into a small or irregular enclosure.
Connectors and cables between boards are a reliability risk under vibration.
Assembly time matters: one part to fit instead of several boards and harnesses.
Weight and volume are tightly limited.

Key figures

Construction	Rigid sections with polyimide flex layers in one board
Standard	IPC-6013
Flex materials	Polyimide, for example DuPont Pyralux AP and LF
Rigid materials	FR-4, High-Tg FR-4, polyimide
IPC performance class	Class 2 / Class 3

Design notes

Send the mechanical drawing or a 3D model that shows how the board folds. Bend radius and flex length are set from it.
Keep plated holes away from the transition between rigid and flex sections.
Agree the stack-up before the layout is finished. The position of the flex layers affects both bending and impedance.

What we need to quote

Your production files (Gerber and drill data) with a fabrication drawing or readme that states board thickness, surface finish and copper weights.

For rigid-flex boards, include the stack-up and a drawing or 3D model of the folded board.

For assembly on the same order, add the BOM, assembly drawing and pick-and-place file.

Other board types

Multilayer PCB HDI PCB Flexible PCB RF & High-Frequency PCB Heavy Copper PCB Double-Sided PCB

Have a build in mind?

Upload your Gerbers and BOM for a fast, no-obligation quote. Need an NDA first? You can ask for one on the quote form.