Series processing of the flexible boards takes place in-house on our new high-end production line. The new flex strip park is capable of assembling the plasma-metallised base boards in the reel-to-reel process. Thanks to state-of-the-art machinery and high processing speeds, production can be realised on a large industrial scale. The special feature of the flex line is that all kinds of flex materials can be processed there. Starting with the standard flex material polyimide over wallpaper or paper up to very cheap plastic (PET).

The LUMITRONIX^® production line allows for serial assembly of the base material, which is available in roll form. These rolls are clamped at the beginning of the line and always kept tight by clamp holders – also called hitch feeders – to ensure that further processes such as coating with solder paste and the mounting of LEDs and other components can proceed trouble-free. After the assembly, the flexible boards are soldered in an infrared oven and are subsequently electrically and optically inspected by a system. Afterwards, the flex boards can be separated into individual lengths or cut into different patterns by oscillating knives. Using a special printer, it is also possible to print the flexible PCBs in colour and thus individualise them.

Compared to rigid PCBs, FPCs have several advantages. Due to their flexible base material, they can be used individually and, thanks to their low weight, they offer luminaire manufacturers in particular more freedom in terms of design. In addition, completely different dimensions can be realised with regard to length. Compared to rigid PCBs made of FR4 or aluminium, flex PCBs are more cost-effective and can be exposed to high dynamic and mechanical loads without being damaged.
Processing the FPCs in the form of rolls with a length of 50 to 100 m also results in lower storage and transport costs.
Furthermore, large manufacturers benefit from this form of PCBs, as they can process them immediately and automatically on their own production line.