Trackwise has shipped a 26-metre long multilayer, flexible printed circuit (FPC), believed to be world\u2019s longest ever produced, for distributing power and control signals across the wings of a solar-powered, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The circuit is one of more than 50 supplied by Trackwise into this vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire interconnect system (power and signal) of the vehicle is made of FPCs representing an estimated total systems weight saving of 60% over traditional wire harness. This will enable the UAV, which is being manufactured in the US, to achieve higher payload and\/or improved speed and range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FPCs are manufactured using Improved Harness Technology (IHT), a patented, reel-to-reel manufacturing technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conventional FPCs are rarely more than two metres in length, primarily due to limitations of manufacturing processes. IHT overcomes these limitations, enabling FPCs of unlimited length to be produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UAV\u2019s flexible circuit is based on a polyimide substrate. The planar structure of the circuit dissipates heat better than conventional wiring, enabling higher current carrying capacity for a given weight of copper conductor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printed manufacturing ensures circuit consistency, fewer connection points are needed so reliability is enhanced, and the FPC is easier to install than wire harnesses, reducing a vehicle\u2019s assembly time and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trackwise CEO, Philip Johnston, said: \u201cThere are many new applications emerging for long, lightweight FPCs but aerospace is a natural fit: weight savings, high reliability and cost effectiveness are critical. We\u2019re also seeing growing interest from a variety of sectors including medical and automotive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For the latter, manufacturers are challenged to reduce vehicle weight to improve fuel efficiency at a time when there\u2019s an ever-growing array of electrical and electronic circuits in their vehicles. In particular, electric vehicles are accelerating this trend.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Trackwise has shipped a 26-metre long multilayer, flexible printed circuit (FPC), believed to be world\u2019s longest ever produced, for distributing power and control signals across the wings of a solar-powered, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The circuit is one of more than 50 supplied by Trackwise into this vehicle. The entire interconnect system (power and signal) …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11325,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[5849],"class_list":["post-11324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-electronics","tag-trackwise"],"yoast_head":"\n