Manufacturing of Flexible Printed Circuit Boards for MRI Systems

This paper focuses on the advanced manufacturing of a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) specifically designed for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. Flexible PCBs offer unique advantages over traditional rigid counterparts, particularly in environments requiring space efficiency and dynamic applications. The flexibility of these PCBs allows for their integration into compact and curved spaces within the MRI system, optimizing space utilization and enabling superior design freedom in assembly. This paper explores the complete lifecycle of flexible PCBs (FPCs), focusing on material selection and the creation of multi-layered, highly conductive pathways for efficient signal transmission in high-resolution imaging. Key production stages include etching, drilling, plating, and lamination, with an emphasis on how these processes affect performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Advanced manufacturing techniques, such as pneumatic presses for die cutting, CNC drilling for precision routing, and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) for error detection, are employed in this work to ensure thermal and mechanical resilience. The resulting flexible PCB offers improved adaptability and reliability, enhancing performance in sophisticated medical imaging technology and contributing to more accurate diagnostics and patient care.