| | | Manufacturing a flex circuit Building a flex circuit generally involves the same steps from circuit to circuit. However, certain circuit designs can add cost. For example, a single-layer circuit with access holes on both sides is more expensive than a single-layer circuit with access on one side, because the double-sided access hole circuit must have its substrate drilled separately. The flow chart and illustrations below identify some cost driven issues, such as access holes, plated through-holes, etc. The | | |
| | | The information for the chart (right) was taken from a sample of circuits built with Minco's standard materials. This chart is not intended to be used as a price guide. However, it does show that circuit cost generally rises with layer count. It is in your best interest to consider all options to minimize cost. For example, use two circuits to do the job of one. Two double-layer circuits may be less expensive than one four-layer circuit. But the cost savings of the circuit may be offset by additional assembly requirements. Circuits can also be folded in order to save space and layers. Each situation is unique. A relatively small amount of time invested in project assessment can result in significant savings overall. | | |