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Rigid-flex circuit won't go flat using Pro/SheetMetal
2

Rigid-flex circuit won't go flat using Pro/SheetMetal

Rigid-flex circuit won't go flat using Pro/SheetMetal

(OP)
Folks-
Your collective wisdom on this forum is a great resource.  Maybe you can provide some advice on this problem.

Background:  
A rigid-flex circuit is essentially a circuit board where some portions are flexible and some portions are rigid.  The rigid portions are a thicker FR-4 fiber-reincorced epoxy-phenolic.  This is the material used in most normal circuit boards.  The flexible parts are made of a thinner polyamide (sometimes using the tradename of Kapton).

Where I work we design the flattened rigid-flex circuit using the same software we use for the design of normal circuit boards (this part is done by a skilled PCB designer).  Before we provide the PCB designer with the flattened circuit, we use Pro/SheetMetal to design the circuit in 3D.

My problem is that I spent three weeks designing the circuit with Pro/SheetMetal only to find (in the 11th hour) that it won't flatten out (the option is greyed out).  I assumed that it would easily flatten after I completed the 3D design.  The model is a combination of flat walls, bent walls, and swept flanges.  At the rigid portions I added extended walls (offset=0) and extrusions (cuts) to achieve the desired thicknesses.  I added holes using extrusions and holes.

Any advise here?  Thanks in advance!


Tunalover

RE: Rigid-flex circuit won't go flat using Pro/SheetMetal

2
From the sounds of it, you have a sheetmetal part with multiple thicknesses, which (AFAIK) Pro/E will not accept.

You might be able to flatten it outside of Pro/Sheetmetal using a spinal bend. But without seeing the actual part, I can't say that that would work for sure. I've used the spinal bend in the past to model a live hinge in plastic, which sounds similar to what you are designing.

RE: Rigid-flex circuit won't go flat using Pro/SheetMetal

(OP)
justkeepgiviner-
Thanks for the advice!

Tunalover

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