Rigid flex circuits combine the best of both rigid boards and flexible circuits integrated together into one circuit.
Rigid outer layers are connected to inner flexible layers using copper plated vias. Rigid flex circuits provide higher component density and better quality control. Designs are rigid where extra support for SMT components is needed, and is and flexible in areas that need to bend and flex to fit into tight spaces.
Rigid Flexible PCB-and-cable assembly and a 3D rigid-flex design. This chart relies on simulatedmanufacturing costs based on real PCB fab quotes for a four-layer PCB with two inner flex.
Rigid flex circuits have been used in the military and aerospace industries for more than 40 years. In rigid flex circuit boards, layers of flexible and rigid materials are used to create both rigid and flexible areas in a single package.