Flex PCBs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2011, 07:57:13 pm
content: Hi all,I am putting together a project that requires a flexible PCB. I am planning to use polyimide film coated with copper, the standard way of doing it.I was wondering if you are aware of any supplier or shop that stocks this material (or similar) and that I can access from the UK. The exact dimensions and specifications are not critical, but I only need an A4-sized sheet or so.If you have made a flexible PCB using a different material then please, do share.Thanks

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2011, 10:53:08 pm
content: Farnell sell thisphotoresist flex PCB

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2011, 10:56:31 pm
content: Many thanks Mike!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2011, 11:06:13 pm
content: Better double check - looking again it appears this isn't presensitised - the picture shows a peel-off film, but the data refers to it as 'raw'.I have some stuff I bought a long while ago, which to add to the confusion is photoresist but does not have a peel-off film.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2011, 11:08:36 pm
content: It doesnt matter, I can other coat it myself or use e.g. the toner transfer method.

author: TheDirty
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2011, 02:20:42 am
content: What do you mean by flexible?You can use this copper clad, if you just want to bend the board around something.http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17455If you want the PCB to be able to flex multiple times and not break, like a commercial FPC, then I have no idea how you would approach that hobby wise.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2011, 09:43:33 am
content: By flexible I mean a circuit board that can bend to a radius of 3cm about 100 times during its lifetime without being damaged.Thats an interesting approach, a bit worried that it would be fragile.Flex boards are normally made with polyimide film commercially.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 12:30:22 am
content: I don't know how fancy you need to be, but in the past I've built prototypes using the flex material that connects the print head to it's drivers from trashed dot matrix printers.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 12:39:29 am
content: How did you make your own circuit though? That flex pcb is just the equivalent of a flat ribbon cable. I am looking to etch a custom pcb design.The CIF flex protoboard material that mike suggested and the Dupornt protoboard material that I also found are the equiavent of a 'blank' copper clad board.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 10:34:41 am
content: I just rememembered where I got some photoresist flex from :Mega, who incidentally are good for pretty much any PCB-making supplies.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 10:52:02 am
content: Thanks Mike, a similar price to the product on Farnell.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 06:53:04 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 03, 2011, 10:53:08 pmIt's very expensive though.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2011, 08:15:47 pm
content: The Mega and Farnell SS boards are of a similar price. I have got a SS sheet from Farnell to try it out.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2011, 09:27:23 am
content: Can you confirm that the Farnell's stuff is not photoresist coated?The Mega stuff definitely is.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2011, 05:48:47 pm
content: Have you tried Farnell technical support?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2011, 10:57:43 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on January 06, 2011, 05:48:47 pmExcuse my scepticism based on the sometimes patchy info on teh Farnell website but I would sooner trust info from someone who actually has it in their hand....

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2011, 02:07:24 am
content: It turns out the CIF product on Farnell is without photoresistive coating, just a peelable cover on the copper.The product on Mega is 3 times bigger than the one on Farnell for the same price, and it has photoresistive coating which can be removed if one is to use the toner or solid ink processes.