Scientific & Industrial Flexible Printed Circuits
Amphenol Trackwise supports scientific and industrial projects with specialist flexible printed circuit (FPC) manufacturing capabilities. From long single-sided circuits to complex multilayer FPCs, our technology provides an alternative to conventional interconnect and wiring solutions where length, weight, space or assembly requirements present a challenge.
Flexible printed circuits, also commonly referred to as flexible PCBs or flex PCBs, can be manufactured to suit highly specialised applications. Through our patented Improved Harness Technology™ (IHT), Amphenol Trackwise can manufacture multilayer flexible printed circuits in any length, extending the possibilities of conventional flexible PCB manufacturing.
We support customers and projects around the world, although the sensitive nature of many scientific and industrial applications means that we are not always able to discuss them publicly.
Flexible PCB Manufacturing for Scientific & Industrial Applications
Conventional PCB manufacturing processes can place limitations on the length of a flexible circuit. Amphenol Trackwise’s manufacturing technology overcomes these limitations, enabling continuous flexible printed circuits to be produced in virtually unlimited lengths.
Our roll-to-roll manufacturing capabilities support single-sided, double-sided and multilayer flexible circuits, allowing power and signals to be carried across extended distances without relying on multiple individual circuit sections and intermediate connections.
For scientific and industrial projects with unusual dimensions or complex interconnect requirements, this provides engineers with greater flexibility when developing the overall system architecture.
Flexible Circuit Capabilities
Length-Unlimited FPCs
Improved Harness Technology™ enables Amphenol Trackwise to manufacture continuous multilayer flexible printed circuits of any length, overcoming the dimensional restrictions associated with conventional panel-based PCB manufacturing.
Single-Sided, Double-Sided & Multilayer Circuits
Depending on the requirements of the application, Amphenol Trackwise can manufacture single-sided, double-sided and multilayer flexible printed circuits using its specialist manufacturing processes.
Reduced Weight & Space
Flexible printed circuits can provide significant weight and space savings when used as an alternative to traditional wire harnesses, helping create a smaller and lighter interconnect solution.
Repeatable & Reliable
The digitally designed and highly automated nature of flexible circuit manufacturing can improve repeatability while reducing the manual assembly processes associated with conventional wire harnesses.
Industrial Flexible Printed Circuits for Pipeline Monitoring
Amphenol Trackwise’s expertise in manufacturing long, single and multilayer flexible printed circuits (FPCs) has played an important role in supporting Direct-C’s pipeline monitoring technology.
Direct-C provides advanced pipeline monitoring solutions for gas and oil infrastructure, using sensor technology to enable the early detection of hydrocarbon leakage.
Amphenol Trackwise’s ability to manufacture unlimited-length FPCs has enabled Direct-C to implement continuous hydrocarbon detection systems for pipelines, supporting leak detection across extended infrastructure.
Read MoreScientific Flexible Printed Circuits for Advanced Research
Flexible printed circuits can also support highly specialised scientific applications with unusual design and manufacturing requirements.
Indiana University’s Center for Exploration of Energy and Matter in the USA required a perfectly magnetically shielded 6m³ room as part of its work connected with the nEDM programme at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.
The project required extremely uniform magnetic fields to support research into physics beyond the standard model. Amphenol Trackwise was selected to support the project using its length-unlimited IHT manufacturing capabilities, accurately translating the project’s CAD-based design requirements into the finished application.
If you have a scientific or industrial project you’d like to discuss, please get in touch.
Why Use Flexible Printed Circuits for Scientific & Industrial Applications?
Longer
Length-unlimited flexible circuit manufacturing for demanding applications
Lighter
Reduced weight compared with conventional wiring harnesses
Smaller
Reduced space requirements compared with conventional wiring harnesses
More
Repeatable
Improved repeatability compared with traditional manually assembled wiring harnesses
Fewer Connections
Long continuous circuits can reduce intermediate connectors and solder joints
Easier to Assemble
Reduced assembly time compared with traditional wiring harnesses
WHITE PAPERS
For more information regarding replacing shielded twisted pairs with flex, please visit our White Papers page to download the PDF.