Evolution of a wiring concept – 30 years of flex-rigid circuit board production

Purpose Seeks to answer the question: have the reasons for using flex-rigid circuit boards changed through the years? Design/methodology/approach The paper presents the development of flex-rigid circuit board construction techniques from the first applications to the current status of a modern interconnection system. The paper discusses that it was the military and avionic industry that in the past required an interconnection technique that was reliable under environmental stress but compact and lightweight. Today it is the automotive and communication industry that is driving the development of printed circuit board technology. Findings Finds that wiring and interconnection must be cheap, reliable, light in weight, and must fit into very small housings. The demand for complex interconnection solutions like the flex-rigid circuit technique is rising with the increased level of integration of more functions into electronic devices. The reasons for using flex-rigid circuitries are nearly still the same as in the beginning. Originality/value Shows how the flex-rigid circuit board technology has developed during the last 30 years.