Here are some of the most popular questions about fine line circuitry including printed antennas, flexible and hybrid electronic solutions.
What is fine line circuitry?
Fine line circuitry is made using a fine line precision printing process. Flexible fine line circuits can be designed to create a variety of applications. A flex circuit combines a thin, flexible substrate, fine line conductive traces, surface mount devices (SMD), and some termination or connector. Typically the flexible fine line circuitry is used in printed antennas, NFC tags, RFID tags, membrane switches, force-sensing resistors, and more.
What are the advantages of using a flexible circuit?
Flexible circuits offer advantages over traditional rigid circuit boards, including a thin, flexible & stretchable form factor, lower cost, additive process, reduced lead-time, and several material options. Specific advantages over a rigid circuit board include freedom of design, reliability, durability, cost savings, and lightweight.
Are there different kinds of flex circuits?
Polymer Thick Film (PTF) and Etched Copper on polyimide or polyester are our most popular options.
What are the design features of polymer thick film circuits?
- Single or Double Sided (Thru-Hole)
- Multi-layer (Blind Vias)
- High-density circuits with traces and spaces down to 50 microns with the correct substrate and ink combinations.
- Heat Stabilized Polyester (PET), Paper, Synthetic Paper, Polyimide (PI), Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU), and more.
- Printed conductive inks (silver, carbon, copper, PEDOT, etc.) and dielectric/insulative inks
- Embedded SMD (LEDs, IC Chips, Resistors, Capacitors, etc.) attached via conductive epoxy, underfill adhesive and transparent encapsulant.
- Printed Resistors and capacitive touch sensing pads (solid and transparent conductors)
- Use carbon Overprint for durability and the prevention of silver migration.
What are the design features of copper flex circuits?
- Single and Double Sided with multiple layers
- Polyimide or Polyester
- Tin, Nickel, ENIG (gold) Plating or Carbon Overprint
- Embedded SMD (LEDs, IC Chips, Resistors, Capacitors, etc.) attached via conductive epoxy or solder
What industries could flexible circuits be found in?
- Automotive
- Apparel
- Industrial
- Healthcare
- Medical Devices
What are printed antennas typically used for?
Printed antennas are used for energy harvesting, wireless power, and data transmission applications.
What are some common applications of printed antennas?
- Bluetooth Antenna
- Wifi Antenna
- Wireless Power Transfer
- RFID and NFC tags
- Tamper detection for Smart Packages
- Security Labels
How are printed antennas made?
BTI produces antenna solutions through precision screen printing functional inks, accurate placement of surface mount components, and digital and analog finishing operations.
What is the difference between RFID tags and NFC tags?
The major difference between the two is that NFC Tags are commonly used closer to RFID Tags.
Are printed antennas IoT compatible?
Printed antennas can be integrated with IoT technology if needed.
Are printed antennas or copper etched antennas more costly?
Printed antennas are traditionally used in replacement of copper antennas because they’re the lower-cost alternative. Copper antennas are more expensive.
Can printed antennas be transparent?
Transparent antennas are an easy way to innovate your product's design. We use conductive inks and films that are about 95% transparent to develop clear printed antennas.
What are Flexible Hybrid Electronics?
First, you need to understand flexible electronics. Flexible electronics use conductive inks, like silver and carbon, printed on stretchable and often wearable surfaces. Usually, the electrical current flows through the ink and transmits its data wirelessly.
Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) is a product solution that combines the functionality of rigid PCBs with the form factor of precision screen printed flexible circuits on polymer thick film (PTF).