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    Ask the Flexperts

    Answers to your questions about flex circuit technology!

    ‘Ask the Flexperts’ is a column published in CircuiTree magazine about your most controversial questions on flex circuit technology.  Minco engineers Mark Finstad and Mark Verbrugge, flex designers with a combined 45 years of experience, answer these questions to provide technical insight and practical solutions to common issues.

    Have a question for the “flexpert” or a comment on this column? If so, email it to stephanie@circuitree.com.  Visit www.circuitree.com for more information.

    Flexperts Archive

    Date 

    Title

    Question(s)

    Answers

    Mar 10 Drawn into a Corner We are currently laying out a new flex design, any thoughts on how we can “design” our costs lower? >> Read the Answer 
    Jan 10 It's a Material World I specified an acrylic adhesive for my flex but my European partner suggests I use an epoxy based adhesive. Is there an advantage using one over the other? >> Read the Answer 
    Nov 09 Immersed in Flex Circuits I would like to know if a flex circuit can be made so that it can be immersed in water. >> Read the Answer 
    Sept
    09
    Don't Crimp My Style Do flex circuits allow for termination using Insulation Displacement Connectors (IDC, i.e. 0.050” pitch flat ribbon cable header)? >> Read the Answer 
    July
    09
    Treat Me Gently...Treat Me Kind Proper circuit handling is a big issue, both for the manufacturer during the build process and for the end user at assembly.  >> Read the Answer 

    May
    09

    Goin' Around and Around with Flex Coils How can I calculate the maximum current that can be run through an induction coil? >> Read the Answer 
    Mar
    09
    Stress’n the Little Stuff Is there a Web site, article, or book that has different copper trace fractures in flex circuits? >> Read the Answer 
    Sept
    08
    You Don’t Have to Strain Yourself Over Marking Issues  Is a bead of strain relief required at every rigid flex interface on a rigid flex circuit?
    >> Read the Answer 
    Jan
    09
    If It Can't Stand the Heat... What should I expect from the flex in this environment? Will the differential in expansion between copper and polyimide cause the flex to rip apart or curl? >> Read the Answer 
    July 08 Flex Circuitry Versus Wiring Harnesses How much more reliable are flexes over wiring harnesses? >> Read the Answer 

    May
    08

    The Pros and Cons of Tool Selections  Why is there such disparity in tooling setup charges from model to model? Are there more cost-effective tooling choices for final trim? >> Read the Answer 
    Mar 08 Finish Options: Just the Pads, Ma’am, and a RoHS Gold Rush

    I was asked to consider pads-only plating for my design. What is pads-only plating, and why is it required? I heard of a new RoHS-compliant surface finish called ENEPIG. What are the advantages of this over ENIG or hard gold plating?

    >> Read the Answer 
    Feb 08
    Pre-forming Flex Circuits I’ve heard that flexible circuits can be pre-formed by the manufacturer. Is this a good idea and does it add a lot to the cost? >> Read the Answer 
    Jan 08
    Terminating Flex Circuits What is the best way to terminate a flex circuit? Can you get flex circuit connectors that are made especially for flexible circuits? >> Read the Answer 
    Dec 07
    Removing Pads to Make Space May Not Always Save Face In a multilayer flex, are pads required on all layers for each via, or can we omit some or all unused pads to allow for more traces to run between vias? Our application requires the thinnest possible construction. >> Read the Answer 
    Nov 07
    Improving Flexibility With Cross Hatching I’ve heard that cross hatching plane layers on a flex circuit can improve flexibility. Is this true, and how much more flexible will the circuit become if I use cross hatching? >> Read the Answer 
    Sept 07
    Balancing the Scales Between Rigid and Flex What is the weight difference per square inch between flex circuits and rigid-flex circuits? I have an aerospace application—how do I keep weight to a minimum? >> Read the Answer 
    Aug 07
    The Straight Truth About Bend Ratios IPC has recommendations for minimum bend ratios (circuit thickness to bend radius). Is it possible to safely bend a flex circuit tighter than that which IPC recommends? >> Read the Answer