Episode 52 of Hardware Startups with Fexingo dives into flexible printed circuits (FPCs) — the bendable, space-saving alternative to rigid PCBs. Lucas and Luna explain why startups in wearables, robotics, and medical devices are turning to FPCs, using the example of a smart ring startup that cut its device thickness by 40 percent. They break the trade-offs: lower per-unit cost at scale but higher NRE and trickier assembly. Listeners learn about dynamic vs. static flex applications, the role of polyimide substrates, and why stiffeners matter. The episode also covers common pitfalls like copper fatigue and impedance mismatch, plus a real-world tip from a founder who prototypes FPCs with a laser cutter before committing to tooling. If you're building a connected device and hitting space or weight limits, this episode gives you the vocabulary to talk to your CM. No fluff, just the engineering decisions that separate working prototypes from shippable products.
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