Improved Harness Technology™

A recent process innovation has extended Trackwise’ capability to the manufacture of flexible multilayer printed circuit boards of any length, more than 8m/300 inches in length, making these the world’s largest flexible multilayer PCBs. The use of flexible multilayer PCBs can generate up to 75% weight saving as compared to traditional wiring harnesses. In high value, mass-critical applications such as space systems this represents a significant opportunity to improve system performance. A patented process innovation (UK Patent 2498994, U.S. Patent 9226410) has extended Trackwise’ capability to the manufacture of flexible multilayer printed circuit boards of any length, more than 8m/300 inches in length, making these the world’s largest flexible multilayer PCBs. Flexible multilayer PCBs can offer significant benefits over conventional wiring harnesses, notably in terms of space and weight saving but also a reduction in assembly time and cost – as well as an increase in product precision, reliability and repeatability. The use of flexible multilayer PCBs can generate up to 75% weight saving as compared to traditional wiring harnesses. In high value, mass-critical applications this represents a significant opportunity to improve system performance. The maximum size that a flexible multilayer PCB is usually available, is of the order of 610mm / 24 inches, exceptionally 914 mm / 36 inches and this innovation is therefore a huge step change in manufacturing capability. Flexible multilayer PCBs were originally developed in the second half of the 20th century as a replacement for wiring cable but due to length limitations the cable or harnesses replaced were typically internal to equipment rather than point to point harness replacement. Any longer runs of PCB would have to be made via intermediate connections, representing additional weight, cost and complexity as well as a source of potential unreliability. Trackwise’ recent innovation means that these intermediate interconnects can be removed. For more information regarding replacing shielded twisted pairs with flex, please download the following white paper: LVDS – twisted pairs representation in PCB tracking For more details of this unque innovation please visit Improved Harness Technology™

For more information on Improved Harness Technology™ talk to Trackwise Ltd