9 Tips for Choosing the Right Rigid-flex PCB Manufacturer

Rigid-flex PCB is boards manufactured with both flexible and rigid board technologies. A majority of rigid-flexible PCBs consist of several layers of flexible circuit substrates. These substrates attach to the rigid board, either internally or externally.

Rigid-flexible PCBs are a little bit difficult to design and manufacture. Unlike rigid-flex PCBs, conventional PCBs aren't so challenging to design and manufacture them.

With plenty of rigid-flex PCB manufacturers in the market, it becomes somewhat tricky selecting the best in business. So, how do you go about choosing the best rigid-flex PCB manufacturers in the market? This article lists nine essential factors to consider when you are in the market for the best rigid-flexible PCB manufacturers.

(Rigid-Flex PCB for common electronic equipment)

1.Rigid-flex PCB Manufacturer Certifications and Standards

Certification and standardization are a must when it comes to dealing with a rigid-flexible PCB manufacturer. The right rigid-flex PCB manufacturers comply or abide by necessary industry standards. Even if you intend to get a cheap rigid-flexible PCB manufacturer, ensure that they have the necessary certifications.

Some of the rules and regulations that your potential rigid-flex PCB manufacturer has to adhere to include the following:

• ISO 9001:2008 standards
• UL standards
• IPC-A-600G Class 1 and 2 classifications
• ISO 90001:2015

Choosing a certified manufacturer goes a long way into making everything effortless on your end. Your work will run well as your manufacturer ensures that s/he follows all the rules and regulations stated by the authority.

Certifications do provide some extra insights into how qualified a manufacturer is in their job. To be on the safe side, you need to be sure that your chosen manufacturer has the capability to comply with industry standards.

(A good manufacturer has to have the relevant certifications of producing rigid-flex boards)

2.Rigid-flex PCB Manufacturer Experience

Experience matters a lot when it comes to choosing the right manufacturers. Why waste your time with an inexperienced manufacturer. People who might still be testing the waters before going into mass production? An experienced manufacturer is one who has managed to produce several varieties of rigid-flex PCBs. A professional producer is one who has learned a lot while making rigid-flexible printed circuit boards.

Experience is vital when it comes to manufacturing rigid-flexible printed circuit boards. With experience, you'll be able to judge the number of resources and knowledge that your manufacturer may have. There are always advantages to working with experienced manufacturers. For starters, you can tell how well your manufacturer can adapt to any industry changes.

If you intend to find rigid-flexible PCBs that can function as intended, then you better source them from experienced manufacturers—one with enough knowledge in this field.

(A reliable manufacturer should have experience in the field of rigid-flex PCB)

3.Rigid-flex PCB Product Quality

Quality matters a lot when it comes to the production of goods. The same is true when it comes to rigid-flex printed circuit boards. For your PCBs to run efficiently, you need to be sure that such committees are of high-quality. If you find failures in your boards after installation, then there can be losses of both time and money on your end.

That's why it is essential to have quality checks of every material before manufacturing the final product. If you intend to use superior rigid-flexible PCBs, you have to be sure that you check your producer's manufacturing procedures. It would help if you were sure that your products are of high quality.

(The quality of your rigid-flex PCB should have uncompromised quality)

4.Rigid-flex PCB Manufacturer Customer Support

There's a common belief that the customer is always right. While everyone may not mind customer satisfaction, those who try and meet their clients' needs ultimately win. It is always competitive in the business world. Outstanding customer support is something that business entities must meet.

When in the market for the right rigid-flex PCBs, customer support matters a lot. Professional customer care attendants matter when choosing the right rigid-flexible PCB manufacturers. If you need some help with your circuit boards, you may want to rely on manufacturers with outstanding customer service.

(A dedicated customer support plays a part in the overall performance of a manufacturer)

5.Quality Machinery

Up-to-date equipment plays a vital role when it comes to the making of rigid-flex boards. If you are in the market for rigid-flexible PCBs, source them from manufacturers that use quality machines.

Machines that can well assemble the small delicate parts of your board are vital. You wouldn't want to pay for a poorly made product. As a supplier, this may destroy your reputation, and for end-users, it will destroy all the experiences you want.

If possible, or if you live around the manufacturer's plant, you could go and have a look at their equipment. Otherwise, you could also ask them beforehand the kind of technology they use on their boards.

(The machinery quality affects the overall PCB quality of the rigid-flexible PCB)

6.A vast Number of Product Lines

How fast can a manufacturer produce in bulk? When choosing to work with a rigid-flex manufacturer, you need to consider your larger volume scales. If a company can't provide several requests at a go, then you better look elsewhere.

Having in place several product lines that run at the same time is excellent for multitasking. It is also suitable for speeding up the production process of your circuit boards. With multiple production lines, your manufacturer can handle orders faster by running several productions in parallel. It's best to work with printed circuit board companies that have backup plans if they are overbooked.

(The production speeds of a manufacturing plant plays a very crucial factor in decision-making ）

7.Rigid-flex PCB Proper Storage

When it comes to the manufacture of rigid-flex printed circuit boards, storage is essential. Humidity and hot temperatures may affect or damage your boards. How does your potential manufacturer store its rigid-flexible printed circuit boards? When requesting your rigid-flexible printed circuit boards, you must ensure that your supplier delivers them to you in vacuum seals. The packages must consist of silica gel that's excellent when it comes to dealing with humid conditions.

Rigid-flex printed circuit boards highly oxidize when exposed to humidity and air. Therefore, it becomes hard to repair or reflow them. But to ensure that you have rigid-flexible printed circuit boards that can function as you intend, their storage matter a lot. Be sure that your supplier or manufacturer or supplier properly seals every package by use of vacuum sealing. With vacuum sealing, your PCBs won't suffer from cases of damages and oxidation.

(The storage mechanisms should influence the decision to choose to work with a PCB maker)

8.Qualified Personnel for Pick and Place

Having a team of qualified employees or workforce can help your organization grow and run as you desire. To work with manufacturers, you need to ensure that their employees are a team that can work together. Some of the fundamental traits you could look for are, are personable, welcoming, and helpful? Or are they standoffish, quiet, and uneager to assist their customers?

With qualified personnel in place, you'll be able to handle some of the most intricate production details easily.

Besides the qualifications of training, your workforce must have strong communication skills. With strong communication skills, you'll be in an excellent position to deal with any issue arising at any level accordingly. If you have qualified personnel, your rigid-flexible boards' production fastens, hence, a boost in output.

(Qualified personnel implies that the manufacturer is very credible)

9.Rigid-flex PCB Inspection Procedures

Quality control is essential when undertaking the manufacture of rigid-flex printed circuit boards. You need to select a manufacturer that conducts in-house inspection and testing. These checks ensure the detection of errors and faults before undertaking shipments.

Rigid-flexible board inspection and testing need no outsourcing as such may end up being unreliable.

For the production of quality rigid-flex printed circuit boards, inspection is a must. If you intend to have in place rigid-flexible circuit boards that can function as you desire, then you must ensure that you source them from manufacturers who inspect them before supplying them to the market.

(The control checks employed by a manufacturer are very crucial towards quality rigid-flexible PCB)

Conclusion

Do you have any rigid-flex printed circuit board projects? If so, then you have come to the right place. We at OurPCB understand what customers look for when it comes to rigid-flexible PCBs.

We have spent years refining our engineering support, equipment, and technology to better our rigid-flex boards. We have well-experienced technicians knowledgeable in state-of-the-art technology to build your rigid-flex PCBs to customers' exact specifications.

Contact us today or request an immediate quote. Then, see how our rigid-flexible solutions can perfectly suit not only your project but your design needs.