Flex circuits are known for their unique bendability and ability to conform to complex shapes. But what goes into making these marvels of miniaturization function? One critical and important step is drilling.
Connections
Drilling in flex circuit manufacturing is about creating precise holes in the thin, layered polymer film that forms the base of the circuit. These holes serve two vital purposes:
Interlayer Connections: Flex circuits have multiple conductive layers stacked together, connected by vias. The quality of drilled holes impacts copper plating and circuit performance. - Component Mounting: Electronic components need a secure and reliable way to attach to the circuit. Drilled holes serve as mounting points for these components, ensuring proper functionality and stability.
Interlayer Connections: Flex circuits have multiple conductive layers stacked together, connected by vias. The quality of drilled holes impacts copper plating and circuit performance. Precision
With flex circuits, even the slightest imperfection in a drilled hole can have consequences. Here’s why precision drilling is essential:
- Electrical: A poorly drilled hole can lead to weak connections, opens, or signal integrity issues. These can cause malfunctions or even complete circuit failure.
- Registration: A hole that is not registered properly to pads on each layer can cause reliability failures.
Different Drilling Techniques
Not all flex circuit holes are created equal. Depending on the application, different drilling techniques are employed:
Through-hole vias: Provide electrical connection between them. - Blind vias: Create connections from the outer layer to an inner layer of the circuit.
- Buried vias: These vias create connections within the inner layers.
- To learn more about the different via types, check out our other blog – The Different Types of Vias and Their Uses | Flex Interconnect Technologies (fit4flex.com)
Drilling may seem like a simple step in flex circuit manufacturing, but its importance cannot be emphasized enough. Precise and reliable drilling ensures the electrical integrity, mechanical strength, and overall functionality of these circuits.
Have questions about drilling or want to collaborate? Click below.