A rigid flex printed circuit board (PCB) is a hybrid circuit board
design that integrates elements from both hardboard and flexible
circuits. Most rigid flex boards consist of multiple layers of flexible
circuit substrates attached to one or more rigid boards externally
and/or internally, depending upon the design of the application. The
flexible substrates are designed to be in a constant state of flex and
are usually formed into the flexed curve during manufacturing or
installation.Rigid-Flex designs are more challenging than the design of a
typical rigid board environment, as these boards are designed in a 3D
space, which also offers greater spatial efficiency. By being able to
design in three dimensions rigid flex designers can twist, fold and roll
the flexible board substrates to achieve their desired shape for the
final application’s package.Rigid flex PCBs support two primary
application types: flex to install and dynamic flex.