Rigid-Flex Assembly
Assembly that protects the bend.
Rigid-flex PCBA is SMT with one extra rule: the flex zone must stay unstressed through every thermal cycle. Dedicated support jigs, stiffener plates, bent-in-fixture reflow — every step built around that.
- Stack
- 6-20L
- Class 3
- IPC-6013
- Per design
- Jig
- Flex warp
- ≤0.2 mm
Why fixturing matters
Four things the jig has to do
Board stays coplanar through reflow · no sag at the flex zone.
Stiffeners + backer plates under every flex-to-rigid transition.
Cut-outs below tall THT · no jig contact with sensitive parts.
Aluminum-core jigs so thermal profile matches a flat PCB.
Process
SMT, reflow, inspection — without touching the flex
- Pre-bake to drive off moisture
- Custom stencil (rigid zones only)
- Jig-held during SMT placement
- Jig-held through 10-zone reflow
- Second-side assembly in opposite jig
- X-ray of all bend-zone joints
- Post-reflow moisture re-bake
- Final test & ship in flat jig
Capability
Published rigid-flex PCBA spec
| Board support | |
| Rigid layers | 4 – 16 layers |
|---|---|
| Flex layers | 1 – 4 layers · polyimide |
| Total stack | 6 – 20 layers |
| Max board size | 400 × 600 mm |
| Assembly | |
| Fixturing | Custom aluminum jig per design |
| Pre-bake | 125 °C / 4 h pre + 2 h post |
| SMT parts | 01005 capable in rigid zones |
| THT | Selective wave or manual in rigid zones |
| Inspection | |
| 3D SPI | 100% pre-reflow |
| 3D AOI | 100% post-reflow · rigid zones |
| X-ray | 100% BGA / QFN · all flex-zone joints |
| Test | |
| Electrical | Custom bed-of-nails · flex-relief adapter |
| Bend test | Sample install-bend validation on first article |
| Compliance | |
| Quality | IPC-A-610 Class 3 · IPC-6013 Class 3 |
| Cert | ISO 9001 · IATF 16949 · ISO 13485 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rigid-flex assembly FAQ
01Do you build the support jig, or do I supply it?
We build it. Jig is designed and CNC-cut as part of NRE, stored and maintained at our factory. No expectation that you supply fixtures.
02Can you do double-sided rigid-flex SMT?
Yes — second-side requires a second (inverted) jig, built alongside the first. Standard part of our NRE.
03What’s the typical lead time?
Prototype: 12-15 working days including jig cut. Production: 4-5 weeks from PO once jig exists.
04Can you validate the final install-bend?
Yes. On first-article we ship bent-to-final-shape samples so you can verify the folded product fits before production ramp.
Ready when you are
Send your Gerber & BOM — get a quote in 24 hours.
NDA available · Free DFM review · Senior engineer response.