Die Punching

When it comes to flex and rigid-flex PCB profiling process, people always think of the common profiling techniques, including V-scoring, milling (/Routing), and laser cut. But do you know Die Punching? In PCB industry, punching fixture is also called as punching die.

Die Punching, V-scoring and milling can be applied in rigid part(s) profiling, including rigid PCBs, FR4 stiffeners, rigid-flex boards, but not suitable for thin flexible materials cutting. For high volume FPC production, laser cut seems not economic or time-saving. In this circumstance, MADPCB introduces you to the traditional technique -Punching. Here, we only talk about die punching applied in flex PCB, and flex part on rigid-flex PCB.

In flex circuit manufacturing, especially for high volumes, the punching technique is widely used in thin flexible materials cutting (e.g. FCCL, coverlay, EMI film, PSA, stiffeners, and etc.) and FPC profiling. Flex PCB punching is a process where individual flex circuits are punched as per the profile on the production panel, which results in either to be unit pieces off the panel or still on the panel with small connection tabs. This process requires a punching machine and a set of relatively customized punching dies. The punching dies are compromised of two parts, with sharp blades on one part and supports on the other. The production capacity of FPC materials cutting and profiling are higher than laser cut, which contributes to cost-down.

Punching dies need to customize as per the production panel Gerber files, the dies cost is a non-recurring engineering (NRE) cost. That’s to say, only need to pay only one time, and no charge again no matter how many repeat orders in the future until the punching dies to reach their lifespan. Hope you understand better about this Die Punching process.