Circuit, Flexible Printed Circuit Board) are two common types of circuit boards, which have some differences in structure and application.
1. Structure: PCB is a circuit board usually made of a rigid substrate (e.g. FR-4 material) with a fixed shape and size. While FPC
is a circuit board made of a flexible substrate (such as polyimide), which can be bent and folded to have greater flexibility.
2. Application: Because PCBs are rigid, they are commonly used in devices that require stable support and connections, such as computers, cell phones, and TVs. And the flexibility of FPC
makes it suitable for devices that require bending and compact design, such as wearable devices, folding cell phones, automotive electronics, and so on.
3. Connection: Components on a PCB are usually connected by soldering, such as pins, sockets, or surface mount technology (SMT). FPC, on the other hand, usually uses flexible connectors (such as ZIF
connectors) or equipment that directly carries flexible wire harnesses.
4. Weight and volume: Due to the use of flexible substrates, FPCs are relatively thin and light and take up less space, helping to save on device size and weight.
It is important to note that PCBs and FPCs are both basic materials used for circuit connection and assembly, and the choice of which board to use should be based on specific application needs and design requirements.