Flexible circuit designs are unique with similar, but different needs from rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs). Because flex circuits are very thin, they are considerably more delicate than a rigid PCB, and they are more susceptible to damage in manufacturing and handling in the field. Damage in manufacturing is reflected in the yield rate, which directly effects the cost of the flex circuit. This paper presents steps to ensure the flex circuit design is optimized for yield, cost, and reliability during the design stage, each validated with a flex-specific design-for-manufacturing (DFM) software tool.
Read the full white paper from our friends at Mentor Graphics here.