Re: gEDA-user: Origami Flex Circuits Take Shape at All Flex

[Andrew Miner <zminer@xxxxxxxxx>]

   /*xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

     I'm going to go out on a limb and state that I refuse to support
     non-flat layers :-)

     [1]http://www.allflexinc.com/origamiflex.shtml
     Supported or not these things are worth taking a look at just for
     the
     strangeness if noting else:
     " Origami Flex Circuits Take Shape at All Flex

      Ok, that's just too damn cool.  It looks like lots of fun. :)

   */xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   There is not much to support, and they are easy to work with.  I worked
   at a Flexible PCB hose for a couple of years, and all of the ones shown
   are single or double sided boards.
   You design it like a normal PCB, other than you make a much more
   intricate route pattern for the outline layer than a rectangle.
   You leave areas to make the folds or bends (don't place vias or
   components in those areas), and then you can crease them after assembly
   for a tight permanent bend, or leave them as is for an open/close
   movement (like the display cable on a laptop lid).
   If you need certain areas of the board to be rigid, you can mount it
   onto a sheet of Aluminum (adds stiffness and thermal dissipation) or
   take some FR4 hardboard to make a stiffener that is glued onto a small
   area (non conductive).
   Really the only layers you would need to add to your project are:
   A layer to indicate fold lines for bend locations (if needed)
   A layer for stiffeners (If needed)
   A layer for internal cutouts, made moments before the outline route (if
   needed)

   The only real challenge is for you to design a 2D object that will bend
   and flex to fit your 3D application ;-)
   Andy Miner

References

   1. http://www.allflexinc.com/origamiflex.shtml


_______________________________________________
geda-user mailing list
geda-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user