Quality of Flexible Circuit Boards
There are many testing procedures that ensure the quality of a flexible circuit board. Some of these are manual, and some are automated. These tests are performed to detect defects and other flaws in the PCB before it can be released in the market. This is essential to make sure that there are no defects in the product and that it will work as intended once installed in a device.
In addition to bare flexible circuit board testing, these tests can include visual inspections, X-ray inspections, and functional tests. These tests check for any debris or damage on the surface and internal layers, as well as for soldering faults. Soldering faults occur when the soldering process fails to make a connection between components and the circuit board. This can cause the device to not function properly, and it could lead to other problems as well.
The most common type of testing is functional test. This type of test simulates the actual operation of a product to identify any defects. It is a relatively inexpensive procedure and can be used on all types of PCBs. However, it does not offer complete defect coverage and may miss defects that are triggered by high stresses or by other factors.
What Testing Procedures Ensure the Quality of Flexible Circuit Boards?
Another type of testing is the bed-of-nails test, which uses an array of spring-loaded pins to contact specific points on a bare flex board. The pins are pre-determined by designers and can simultaneously test many different points on the board traces. This is a very efficient and accurate method, but it is expensive and not always available for small-batch manufacturing.
An alternative to the bed-of-nails test is the fixtureless in-circuit test (FICT). This technique eliminates the need for a custom fixture and reduces the overall cost of testing. It is also much faster and more reliable than the traditional test, and it can detect more defects.
Lastly, there is the burn-in test. This test pushes maximum power levels through the board for 48-168 hours to test its performance and find hidden defects before they can affect real-world use. It is similar to functional test but offers more comprehensive defect detection.
The IPC-6013 specifications for flex and rigid-flex circuit boards are a good place to start when looking for a manufacturer of these products. The standards recommend various quality assurance testing, including a bending test to ensure that the circuit board can hold up to real-world stress. A company that specializes in these products should be able to provide detailed information about the quality assurance tests they employ for their production. This will give you a clear idea of the level of quality you can expect from their products. A good supplier will also be able to offer design and manufacturing advice, based on the specifications of your project. This will help you get the best possible results for your circuit board design and assembly. Ultimately, this will make your product more functional and profitable for your business.