PTF Manufacturing Capabilities and Materials Manufacturing

  • Screen Print: Parlex has multiple high speed cylinder (up to 1,800 sheets per hour) and flat-bed screen print presses that are used for printing conductive ink, dielectric and graphic ink passes.  We can print up to 8 conductive circuit layers on a 2-sided circuit.  Our standard print specification is 20 mil/20 mil line & space, but we are able to print at 5/5 as required. 
  • Die-Cut: We have a variety of die-cutting methods available from steel rule dies, hard tools, Spartanic punches and a high-speed production laser.  With our laser we are able to create micro-vias as small as 5 mils.
  • Automated Assembly: Surface Mount Technology (SMT)  including 7-Segment LED displays and attaching components on flaps (providing lower profile and lower cost), switches and displays (removing the need for spacer layers), resistors and capacitors as well as multi-leaded package types (e.g. QFP, SOIC and PLCC) and flip-chip assembly.  Components mounted with Parlex exclusive PolySolder® RoHS compatible adhesive Parlex dispenses an encapsulant to provide stress relief during flexing.  All of our SMT lines also incorporate in-line robotic testing to ensure quality and maintain high throughput rates. More info
  • Membrane Switches: Parlex provides a complete array of membrane switching technologies including:
    • non-tactile: These are the simplest and least expensive membrane switch option.  There is no tactile response to the actuation of these switches.  However, feedback to the user can be given through light or sound.
    • poly-domes: Poly-domes provide the lowest cost option for a tactile feel.  They are created though heat forming the polyester substrate and are commonly used in cell phones.
    • metal domes: Metal domes provide an audible snap and much better tactile

PTF Materials

Parlex has developed most of the ink, dielectric, encapsulating and conductive epoxy systems used in our operations.  These proprietary materials offer many advantages:
  • Better performance in production
  • Improved application performance and reliability
  • Flexibility to meet unique customer needs or specifications
  • Lower costs
Custom applications often drive the need for Parlex's scientists to formulate new materials to meet exacting specifications.  Other custom materials developed by Parlex for commercial applications include:
  • Custom PTF ink systems
  • Hydrophobic dielectric
  • Z-axis adhesive
  • Encapsulant materials
  • Screen printed flame retardant dielectric
  • Medical hydrogels

More information:

PTF Design Guidelines and tolerances (pdf)

PTF White Paper (pdf- summary of PTF properties & validation data)

Conductive Ink Material Specifications

Dielectric Material Specifications

Component Attachment & Encapsulant Specifications

Parlex Design and Value Added Services -including SMT mounting of components to PTF

Parlex Quality Certifications and Manufacturing facilities