The benefits of wholesale rigid-flex PCBA for electronic projects

In line with the trend of miniaturization

Whether it is the development of mobile phones, notebooks or other electronic devices, an important message is conveyed to electronic manufacturers, that is, the development trend of miniaturization. Among different PCB types, the size of rigid-flex boards is less since they do not have extra connectors like other boards. These boards that offer unique advantages in three dimensions mean that your final product doesn’t have to be designed around it. These rigid-flex PCBA boards will be able to fit into a small area during the final assembly of electronic products. 

Fewer Component During Mass Manufacturing Runs

Just a simple calculation wholesale circuit boards will of course be more expensive than others, but the smaller size will reduce the overall cost of the entire project due to less material in the enclosure and fewer components are used. The price of circuit boards is not only determined by function (IMS PCB, high frequency PCB), size, and structure, but also depends on the number of electronic components. It is not beneficial if you use too many rigid panels in larger projects, which can lead to higher costs. Although the material price of rigid PCB is much lower than that of flexible PCB, this is only a small part of the project cost. We all know that the circuit board itself does not work, but provides an effective electrical connection for the PCB components assembled to its surface. For electronic sellers, when calculating costs, the most important thing is to calculate the cost of PCBA. All rigid PCBs used for a project need to be connected to each other through connectors and cable assemblies, and as the number of parts increases, it becomes more expensive during the assembly process.

Simple assembly method

Rigid-flex PCBs are not only an effective way to reduce the overall cost of a project, but also the key to simplifying the assembly process. Generally speaking, a turnkey PCBA assembly factory with independent assembly capabilities has multiple assembly production lines. Take FS Technology as an example, we have 7 SMT production lines. However, even though turnkey assembly companies now have more advanced assembly equipment and technology, there is still no way to completely avoid assembly errors. The PCBA assembly process steps are complex, and each process has uncertainties that can lead to errors. But for rigid-flex PCB, its assembly process is simpler, and the probability of error becomes smaller.

We can lower the connectors and cables used to connect the two boards. Instead, additional circuitry is integrated into the same part through the flex area. It eliminates the need for cable assemblies, helping to speed up long-term production runs and make them more cost-effective. It’s also more aesthetically pleasing, which can be a factor when the appearance of the app is essential to investors and consumers. Your project will be more competitive by reading how to reduce PCB cost.

As mentioned earlier, Rigid-Flex PCBA reduces the price by using fewer cable assemblies and multiple circuit boards, thus making assembly production simple, so FS Technology can complete your project with only one production line. For wholesale rigid boards, there is a need for many productions runs to make board, cables connectors, and other assemblies need to get the final product. With every single assembly operation, production charges will be high and transitions also add to these costs if one assembly line is first used to produce rigid boards and then has to change to producing cable assemblies.

Have long-term benefit advantage

Some turnkey PCB suppliers consider the initial design and creation charges of the rigid-flex board to decide to choose this process for mass production. However, for B2B companies, we need to pay attention to whether it has a long-term nature.

Rigid-flex boards are durable and have reliable features due to less use of interconnect. It is preferred for small size devices since it is less weight and small size. In terms of signal, the high-frequency PCB with rigid-flex combination is the best choice for the 5G industry. They also reduce emissions by using shielding options and enhance signal quality by reducing the interconnections required for rigid boards.

The high quality of rigid-flex 5G PCBA and long service life are only a small part of its many advantages. Electronic manufacturers often take the best-effort principle for this expensive circuit board, so it is also used in the aerospace industry, spacecraft and satellite operations, and is used in the industry to provide cost-effective solutions. In any highly advanced equipment, it perfectly displays its talents.In any highly advanced equipment, it perfectly displays its talents.

Reduction of Human Errors

Before large-scale production manufacturing, customers typically review the qualifications of turnkey PCBA suppliers and judge their capabilities through prototype and low-volume manufacturing. But in fact, prototype or small batch PCB assembly is not prone to errors, and these errors often occur in high-volume manufacturing, which also leads to increased costs for manual errors. So the benefit of ordering high-volume rigid-flex PCBs becomes apparent, which is the cost of installation and maintenance.

Due to the absence of connectors, these boards can be used easily at any point. This feature eliminates chances of personal fault when it is used for the installation of boards as manufacturers do not have to think about the wires connected in the wrong combination. The board handling during assembly is also easy and this features also helps to repair the board easily during damaging. Compared with other types of circuit boards, wholesale rigid-flex circuit boards only need to consider the amount of use.

Less PCBA Testing Costs

Whether in the manufacturing or assembly process, turnkey suppliers often offer complete PCBA testing services. For rigid boards, this testing service is essential as common PCB problems can arise. In order to provide customers with higher quality circuit board assembly services, they perform rigorous PCBA failure analysis, so customers need to spend more turnaround time and testing costs.

Since there are many connectors, joints, and cable assemblies used in Rigid-flex PCBA. While for these board just one PCB assembly inspection is done. Another advantage is that the printed circuit board can undergo a comprehensive test and then be placed in the assembly.

Figuring Out the Cost Benefits of a Specific Application

Considering the advantages of cost can help PCBA suppliers to get an idea of the cost saved from the rigid-flex boards, the net charges rely on the final assembly. It also depends on the quantity of rigid-flex boards created. When you create larger units of the board it will save more cost.  After finalizing the basic design of the rigid-flex board mass production can be achieved while maintaining the same consistent quality.

It is fact that not all electrical and electronic manufacturers have the ability to design create and assemble rigid-flex boards. The instrument that the manufacturer uses and their experience decide the cost parameters. The manufacturer must have an understanding of designs and also discuss the required features with customers. The detailed overview of the process at the start reduces the chances of errors in design and increases the time to market.