Many FPCB designers may not be well-versed in the manufacturing process and its limitations. Workingbear have often come across designs that don’t meet DFx requirements, where designers insist on their approach, leading to numerous quality issues during mass production.
In an effort to prevent future quality failures and high costs due to yield losses, I propose that FPCB suppliers share some manufacturing insights regarding flex cable (FPCB) design capabilities.
The PTF uses silk-screen to print the silver and carbon combination conductive inks on PET substitute to reach lower cost purpose as compare with FPC (Flexible Printing Circuit). Unfortunately, the screen-printing still has some ability limits. Especially that it has problem for fine trace width and fine space. This article will discuss screen-printing on PET limitation.
Polymer Thick Film (PTF) flexible circuits are manufactured by screen-printing conductive ink onto flexible substrates such as PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). It can be single layer or multi-layers circuit by further screen-printing dielectric materials as insulating layer and applying through-hole technologies.
Recently, there have been numerous instances of segment defects appearing on the display of the HSC (Heat Seal Connector) solution LCM, as reported from the field. Our experience has shown that the reliability of HSC bonding is not satisfactory, particularly for industrial products. This is primarily due to the HSC’s tendency to lose its adhesive properties over time, ultimately resulting in a loss of contact between the PCB and HSC after extended use.
