Flex & Rigid Flex PCBAs for Next-Gen Designs

As electronic devices continue to shrink while growing more complex, traditional rigid boards can no longer meet the spatial and mechanical demands of modern applications. Flex and rigid flex PCBAs provide an ideal solution, offering the electrical performance of standard assemblies with the added advantage of mechanical flexibility. Built on high-performance polyimide substrates, these assemblies bend, twist, or fold into compact enclosures without sacrificing circuit integrity or reliability.

Foxtronics EMS specializes in the assembly of high-reliability flex and rigid flex PCBs, engineered to perform in harsh environments, under repetitive motion, and across dynamic mechanical stresses. From basic single-layer flex circuits to complex multilayer rigid flex assemblies with Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Through-hole integration, our solutions reduce interconnects, lower failure risks, and support compact, lightweight product designs.

We work closely with OEMs across sectors like medical, aerospace, industrial, and consumer electronics to develop custom flex PCB assemblies that meet strict dimensional, performance, and environmental specifications. With capabilities that include impedance-controlled traces, fine-pitch BGA and QFN placement, EMI shielding, and stiffener integration, we help you deliver innovation that fits—literally and functionally—into the most demanding form factors.

What are Flex & Rigid Flex PCBs?

Flex PCBs, also known as flex circuits or flexible electronics, are built on flexible polyimide or polyester films, allowing them to conform to complex shapes or dynamic mechanical requirements. Rigid flex PCBs combine multiple rigid layers with flexible layers, laminated together into a single structure. This hybrid approach reduces interconnects, enhances signal reliability, and simplifies enclosure design.

Rigid flex technology is especially valuable in applications where space is limited, weight is a constraint, or the electronics are subject to mechanical motion. These designs eliminate the need for bulky connectors and cables between rigid boards, improving durability and reducing assembly complexity.

Featuring high layer counts, embedded components, and 3D formability, these boards are built to withstand vibration, bending, and thermal stress, making them a smart choice for compact, mission-critical applications like wearables, aerospace, and high-reliability electronics.

Our Flex & Rigid Flex PCBA Capabilities

From medical wearables to aerospace systems, we build high-density, flexible assemblies designed for durability and performance. Our end-to-end expertise ensures your flex and rigid flex PCBAs are engineered to fit tight spaces and withstand mechanical stress.

We specialize in assembling multilayer flex and rigid flex PCBAs that demand both electrical precision and mechanical resilience. With capabilities like fine-line routing, impedance control, and tight bend radius management, we support complex layouts across dynamic applications. Our process incorporates laser-cut profiling, automated stiffener bonding, and high-precision placement of SMT and through-hole components, whether on rigid sections or directly on the flexible layers.

Technical Capabilities

  • Layer Count: Single-layer to 10+ layers for rigid flex
  • Materials: Polyimide, FR-4, PI stiffeners, adhesive & adhesiveless constructions
  • Trace Width/Spacing: As low as 50 µm for HDI-grade flex
  • Flexibility Cycles: Tested for millions of dynamic flex cycles
  • Component Types: SMT, BGA, µBGA, QFN, and through-hole on rigid zones
  • Stiffener Support: PI, FR4, aluminum, stainless steel
  • Controlled Impedance: Yes – impedance-controlled designs with modeling
  • Surface Finishes: ENIG, ENEPIG, OSP, Immersion Tin, Gold
  • Shielding Options: Copper layers, conductive adhesives, shielding films
PCB assembly for medical devices and systems with ISO-certified cleanroom and compliance.

Applications & Industry Use Cases

Flex and rigid flex PCBAs are increasingly essential in environments where traditional rigid boards fall short. These PCBs are engineered for demanding use cases where reliability, weight, and spatial efficiency are paramount. Foxtronics EMS has extensive experience serving industries where these PCBAs are not optional but essential.

Their ability to maintain performance under constant movement, vibration, or thermal stress makes them ideal across diverse sectors:

Common Applications

  • Medical Devices
    Hearing aids, diagnostic equipment, handhelds
  • Aerospace & Defense
    Avionics, missile guidance systems, satellites
  • Industrial Automation
    Robotics, sensors, controllers, actuators
  • Consumer Electronics
    Foldables, wearables, smart glasses, compact IoT
  • Automotive
    Instrument clusters, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
  • Telecom & Networking
    RF modules, antennas, 5G equipment

Raising the Bar for Flex Circuit Manufacturing

With an engineering-first mindset, Foxtronics EMS brings unmatched precision, quality, and reliability to every flex and rigid flex PCBA we assemble. Our solutions are built to perform under stress, in motion, and across critical environments.

What Sets Us Apart

  • Seamless Fabrication-to-PCBA Coordination
    Collaboration with approved board houses for accurate stack-ups, flex-rigid registration, and consistent turnarounds.
  • Complex Rigid Flex Builds
    Expertise in multilayer rigid flex and HDI-grade flex assemblies with tight tolerances.
  • Static and Dynamic Flex Expertise
    Proven performance in applications requiring repeated bending or mechanical durability.
  • Impedance Control & EMI Shielding
    Integrated design support for signal integrity, EMI reduction, and high-speed reliability.
  • Advanced DFM & DFA Support
    Early-stage collaboration to reduce design risks and accelerate time to market.
  • Certified Quality Systems
    Built under AS9100D and ISO 13485-aligned protocols for aerospace and medical applications.
  • IPC Class 2 & 3 Standards
    High-reliability assembly and inspection aligned with industry-class requirements.

FAQs

Have questions about flex and rigid flex PCBA solutions? This section covers common inquiries around design, assembly, and how these advanced PCBA technologies support space-constrained, high-reliability applications.

Flex PCBAs are fully flexible circuits, while rigid flex PCBAs combine flexible layers with rigid sections to form a single hybrid board that offers mechanical stability and space savings.

Yes. By reducing connectors and solder joints, rigid flex designs offer improved signal integrity, durability, and vibration resistance.

Common materials include polyimide films for flex layers, FR-4 for rigid layers, and stiffeners like polyimide, aluminum, or stainless steel for mechanical reinforcement.

Yes. Flex PCBs are often rated for millions of bending cycles and are widely used in applications that involve motion, such as robotic arms or wearable devices.

Rigid flex PCBs can range from 4 to 10+ layers, depending on the complexity and interconnect requirements.

We use impedance modeling, automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray, in-circuit testing, and IPC-A-610 Class 3 standards to ensure top-tier reliability.

Absolutely. We support controlled impedance routing in both flex and rigid sections, including differential pairs and RF/microwave structures.

Yes. Our team provides DFM reviews, material stack-up guidance, and quick-turn prototyping to help you bring your flex designs to life efficiently.