Flexible Thinking: Mind-tapping into January
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Connect the Dots: Five Best Practices for Designing Flex and Rigid-flex PCBs
Optimizing mSAP to Produce Flex for Biofluid Sensor Probes
October 17, 2024 | Dean Neuburger, Sheldahl Flexible TechnologiesEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Improvements in flexible printed circuitry technology offer solutions that enable advancement in other technologies, enabling new circuit design and capability possibilities for customers’ applications. This article will overview advancements developed and implemented to produce a flexible circuit that meets new and challenging requirements for a customer’s medical application. This discussion will highlight development ideas more than details about the final processing scheme.
The medical application was a sensor designed to be inserted in a body to monitor activity of fluids by measuring minute electrical inflections. Good circuit performance required circuit production that achieves specific geometric precision of small circuit features with net ends far apart. Feature dimensions of the circuit design were approximately 75 µmdistance in one of the axes combined with overall length of approximately half a meter between net ends on opposite layers for circuit components and connector terminations.
An additional requirement was that the base material needed to be very thin to physically fit within the medical device. The material choice was Novaclad diclad, which is adhesiveless and available with 25 µm polyimide film, a very thin and flexible construction—appealing to the customer for functioning well in their application. The processing technique needed to be modified semi-additive processing (mSAP).
To read this entire article, which appeared in the October 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Fresh PCB Concepts: Traceability in PCB Design
02/20/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsTraceability has evolved from a safety-critical need in PCB production to a valuable tool across all electronic manufacturing industry sectors. The IPC-1782 standard addresses automated data collection, reduces ownership costs, and ensures accurate, timely information. It provides a flexible data architecture for different levels of traceability, from highly detailed systems (e.g., critical safety systems) to basic traceability needs (e.g., consumer products). The structure avoids data duplication and allows crucial information to be added post-production.
Standard of Excellence: The Power of Personalization in Customer Care
02/19/2025 | Anaya Vardya -- Column: Standard of ExcellenceProviding outstanding customer care is essential, yet many companies struggle to deliver service that leaves a lasting, positive impression. The secret lies in personalization. When you tailor your services to meet the unique needs of your customers, you win their loyalty and position yourself as a partner in their success. Here’s how personalization can transform your customer care strategy and elevate your business.
Würth Elektronik Presents Social Plan for PCB Production in Schopfheim
02/14/2025 | Würth ElektronikIn October 2024, Würth Elektronik Circuit Board Technology announced the planned closure of PCB production at the Schopfheim site. The management and works council have now reached an agreement on a reconciliation of interests and a social plan, which was presented to the affected employees at a works meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Nordson Electronics Solutions Introduces ASYMTEK Select Coat SL-1040 Ultrasonic Cleaning Station for Maintaining Conformal Coating Equipment
02/13/2025 | Nordson Electronics SolutionsNordson Electronics Solutions, a global leader in reliable electronics manufacturing technologies, announces their latest technology innovation for conformal coating systems, the ASYMTEK Select Coat® SL-1040 Ultrasonic Cleaning Station (patent pending) to keep nozzles and needles clean, and prevent clogging during production
Suntech Circuits USA Appoints Burke as New CEO
02/12/2025 | Suntech Circuits USAAmir Akerman, CEO of Suntech Circuits Global, has announced the appointment of Cameron Burke as CEO of Suntech Circuits North America. In this position, Burke will assume full responsibility for the operations and management of the company in North America.