What is a rigid-flex PCB?

A rigid-flex PCB combines rigid PCB sections and flexible circuits into one integrated board. This allows compact three-dimensional layouts while reducing connectors and interconnect wiring.

What materials are used in rigid-flex PCBs?

A typical rigid-flex PCB stack-up combines FR-4 or high-Tg FR-4 rigid sections with Polyimide (PI) flexible layers, together with copper, prepreg, adhesives, and coverlay materials.

What are the advantages of rigid-flex PCBs?

Rigid-flex circuit boards can reduce connectors, cables, assembly space, and interconnection complexity while providing reliable electrical connections in compact electronic products.

Can REGULUS support multilayer rigid-flex PCB manufacturing?

Yes. REGULUS supports multilayer rigid-flex PCB manufacturing through qualified manufacturing partners, subject to design review and applicable manufacturing capabilities.

What applications use rigid-flex PCBs?

Rigid-flex PCBs are suitable for compact and reliability-critical products such as medical devices, industrial equipment, communication systems, sensors, cameras, and other space-constrained electronics.

Rigid-Flex PCB Manufacturing for Multilayer Circuit Boards

REGULUS supports rigid-flex PCB manufacturing through qualified manufacturing partners. A rigid-flex printed circuit (RFPC), commonly referred to as a rigid-flex PCB, combines rigid PCB sections and flexible circuit layers within one interconnected board structure.

This integrated structure can reduce separate connectors and interconnection wiring while supporting compact product layouts and flexible installation.

We review your rigid-flex PCB design data and project requirements to coordinate an applicable manufacturing source based on the board structure, materials, fabrication requirements, quantities, quality requirements, and target schedule.

RFPC Fabrication Capabilities

Available rigid-flex PCB fabrication capabilities cover prototype and volume requirements for multilayer designs that combine rigid and flexible circuit sections.

Key fabrication conditions can include:

Multilayer structures: Rigid and flexible sections integrated within the same circuit board.
Fine features: Trace and spacing requirements according to applicable fabrication capability.
Materials and layer construction: FR-4, polyimide, copper, prepreg, coverlay, and other project-specific materials.
Electrical requirements: Controlled impedance based on specified targets, stack-up, trace geometry, and tolerances.
Flexing requirements: Static or dynamic flex conditions and bending requirements depend on the intended use and flex-area design.
Quality requirements: Inspection and acceptance criteria depend on the project specifications and applicable fabrication requirements.

The capability table below summarizes available rigid-flex PCB fabrication ranges. Final feasibility is confirmed against your Gerber files and fabrication specifications.

Rigid-flex PCB capability table with panel size, layers, copper, fine features, vias, coverlay, shielding, and impedance.

RFPC Stack-Up Structures

A rigid-flex PCB stack-up combines rigid board sections and flexible circuit layers within one interconnected structure. Layer construction must account for both the electrical requirements of the circuit and the mechanical requirements of the flexible sections.

Rigid sections: FR-4 cores, copper layers, prepreg, and solder mask are used according to the required board construction.
Flexible sections: Polyimide-based flex layers provide the flexible portion of the circuit, with copper and coverlay defined according to the design.
Rigid-flex transition: The layer construction between rigid and flexible areas is defined according to the approved stack-up and fabrication requirements.

Rigid-flex PCB stack-up with FR-4 rigid sections, polyimide flex layers, copper, prepreg, coverlay, and solder mask.

RFPC Products Portfolio

Rigid-flex PCBs are commonly used where compact routing, reduced interconnection, or flexible installation is required. Typical applications can include:

Medical Electronics: Wearable monitoring devices and compact imaging equipment
Industrial Automation: Robotics, controllers, and sensor systems
Communication Equipment: Networking and communication hardware
Consumer Electronics: Foldable and other space-constrained electronic devices

The examples below show rigid-flex printed circuit boards from our projects with different rigid-flex configurations, board shapes, and interconnection layouts.

Rigid-flex PCB with a populated green rigid board and dual orange flexible circuit tails.

Rigid-flex PCB with two green rigid board sections connected by a narrow flexible circuit.

Compact rigid-flex PCB with a silver component on the rigid section and a flexible circuit extension

Rigid-flex PCB with two compact green rigid sections linked by a curved flexible circuit.

Start Your Rigid-Flex PCB Fabrication Review

Preparing a rigid-flex PCB RFQ? Please submit your completed Product Survey, PCB/FPC Description File, Gerber files, required quantities, and applicable special fabrication requirements through our PCB Inquiry.

We will review your project information and clarify any engineering or fabrication questions needed before quotation.

PCB Inquiry

Rigid-Flex PCB FAQ

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