Parlex Corporation

Flex Technology, Inc.

Roland C Jacques

Robert D Cyr

Zvi Hatkevitz

Ken Maylor

A printed circuit assembly includes a rigidizer having first and second opposing surfaces, a silicone bonding agent disposed over a first surface of the rigidizer, a flex circuit having first and second opposing surfaces with a first surface of the flex circuit disposed over the bonding agent, and a silicone covercoat disposed over selected portions of the second surface of the flex circuit.

Printed circuit having a dielectric covercoat

A method of fabricating a multilayer circuit board having rigid and flexible sections using Z-axis laser routing. A rigid superstructure is provided for lamination to a flexible circuit substrate, wherein the superstructure includes specially configured strips of laser reflective material, disposed on the laminating surface thereof, defining the boundary between the rigid and flexible sections of the multilayer circuit board. In subsequent processing, a beam of laser energy is directed through the rigid superstructure, along the Z-axis thereof, superjacent to each strip of laser reflective material, thereby cutting through the material of the superstructure creating a laser routed channel which forms an interface between the rigid and flexible sections of the finished multilayer circuit board. In a further step, the portion of the rigid superstructure residing between the laser routed channels is separated and removed, there by exposing the underlying flexible substrate, resulting in a flexible section on an otherwise rigid laminated composite and creating a multilayer rigid/flex circuit board.

Method of using laser routing to form a rigid/flex circuit board

The disclosed invention provides a flexible circuit board for use in surface mount technology. A polyaramid fiber reinforced resin provides a substrate for a copper cladding in which a circuit is formed. Overlaying the circuitry are a plurality of spaced insulating pads also reinforced with polyaramid fiber for dimensional stability. The spaces insulated pads define fold-lines along which the circuit may be folded, thereby providing a degree of flexibility required for flexible circuit applications.

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Lowell, MA, United States of America

Roland C Jacques