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!
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
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
Thanks for the advice!
Tunalover