Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide sensors inside an In-Circuit Tester (ICT) that measure stress on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) every time the ICT runs through a manufacturing process. This ICT can comprise an Internet of Things (IoT) device which can measure, monitor, record, and show stress data that is being exerted by ICTs on the mounted PCB in real-time during tests thereby providing technicians an ability to oversee failures based on historical data that the IoT device provides.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for testing the flexibility of a sample such as an electronic device are provided herein. A testing system can have a motor operably connected to a mandrel such that the motor causes the mandrel to accurately and precisely rotate and cause the sample to conform to an outer surface of the mandrel. Moreover, a proximal end of the sample is secured to the outer surface of the mandrel, and the opposing distal end is controlled by a retractable holder such that the entire sample is subjected to a constant bend radius as the mandrel rotates. Other aspects and features such as controlling the environment around the mandrel and securing small samples to the mandrel are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for producing a flexible electronic device that reduces stress and forces on electronic components are provided. In particular, one or more transition layers with intermediate flexibility, or flexural modulus, are positioned between rigid components and flexible outer layers. This gradually reduces the flexural modulus of the flexible electronics device rather than have an interface between a rigid material and a flexible material. Various materials and methods of forming the layers are described. In addition, an encapsulate layer can be cured to varying flexural moduli to gradually reduce the flexural moduli from the rigid component to the flexible outer layers or bulk structure of the flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for the molding and encapsulation of flexible electronic devices. The encapsulation includes providing a mold shell made from an encapsulation material, positioning a flexible electronic device in the mold shell, and dispensing an encapsulant, in a liquid form, around the flexible electronic device. The mold shell, the dispensed encapsulant, and the electronic device forms an integral encapsulation package when the encapsulant is cured. The mold shell and the encapsulant may be made from a same material and, once cured, become an integral part of the encapsulated flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for testing the flexibility of a sample such as an electronic device are provided herein. A testing system can have a motor operably connected to a mandrel such that the motor causes the mandrel to accurately and precisely rotate and cause the sample to conform to an outer surface of the mandrel. Moreover, a proximal end of the sample is secured to the outer surface of the mandrel, and the opposing distal end is controlled by a retractable holder such that the entire sample is subjected to a constant bend radius as the mandrel rotates. Other aspects and features such as controlling the environment around the mandrel and securing small samples to the mandrel are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for the encapsulation of electronic devices. The encapsulation includes positioning an electronic device in a cavity of a mold, and screen or stencil printing an encapsulant, in a liquid form, around the flexible electronic device. The mold is of a sufficient thickness to allow the encapsulant to completely cover electronic components mounted on a first surface of the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for encapsulating a flexible electronic device with a waterproof layer are provided. In some embodiments, a manufacturing process is provided where a hotmelt layer is positioned over a flexible substrate that has at least one electronic component. Then, heat and/or pressure are applied to the hotmelt layer causing the hotmelt layer to flow around the at least one component to encapsulate the at least one component and form a waterproof layer. Various embodiments for forming the hotmelt layer and various embodiments of the flexible electronic device with the hotmelt layer are described herein.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for the molding and encapsulation of flexible electronic devices. The encapsulation includes providing a mold shell made from an encapsulation material, positioning a flexible electronic device in the mold shell, and dispensing an encapsulant, in a liquid form, around the flexible electronic device. The mold shell, the dispensed encapsulant, and the electronic device forms an integral encapsulation package when the encapsulant is cured. The mold shell and the encapsulant may be made from a same material and, once cured, become an integral part of the encapsulated flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for producing a flexible electronic device that reduces stress and forces on electronic components are provided. In particular, one or more transition layers with intermediate flexibility, or flexural modulus, are positioned between rigid components and flexible outer layers. This gradually reduces the flexural modulus of the flexible electronics device rather than have an interface between a rigid material and a flexible material. Various materials and methods of forming the layers are described. In addition, an encapsulate layer can be cured to varying flexural moduli to gradually reduce the flexural moduli from the rigid component to the flexible outer layers or bulk structure of the flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for producing a flexible electronic device that reduces stress and forces on electronic components are provided. In particular, one or more transition layers with intermediate flexibility, or flexural modulus, are positioned between rigid components and flexible outer layers. This gradually reduces the flexural modulus of the flexible electronics device rather than have an interface between a rigid material and a flexible material. Various materials and methods of forming the layers are described. In addition, an encapsulate layer can be cured to varying flexural moduli to gradually reduce the flexural moduli from the rigid component to the flexible outer layers or bulk structure of the flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Attaching electronic components to a substrate utilizes conductive materials to attach the components and to form traces to allow electrical connectivity between pads receiving the components. Conductive inks are non-solderable and cannot be utilized as solder pads whereas solderable inks are non-conductive. By applying a substrate with conductive ink and then selectively applying a solderable ink on the conductive ink, electronic components may be attached to a substrate that provides mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity which may also be formable or flexible.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for producing a flexible electronic device that reduces stress and forces on electronic components are provided. In particular, one or more transition layers with intermediate flexibility, or flexural modulus, are positioned between rigid components and flexible outer layers. This gradually reduces the flexural modulus of the flexible electronics device rather than have an interface between a rigid material and a flexible material. Various materials and methods of forming the layers are described. In addition, an encapsulate layer can be cured to varying flexural moduli to gradually reduce the flexural moduli from the rigid component to the flexible outer layers or bulk structure of the flexible electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for encapsulating a flexible electronic device with a waterproof layer are provided. In some embodiments, a manufacturing process is provided where a hotmelt layer is positioned over a flexible substrate that has at least one electronic component. Then, heat and/or pressure are applied to the hotmelt layer causing the hotmelt layer to flow around the at least one component to encapsulate the at least one component and form a waterproof layer. Various embodiments for forming the hotmelt layer and various embodiments of the flexible electronic device with the hotmelt layer are described herein.

Abstract: Attaching electronic components to a substrate can be challenging in certain applications. By utilizing printed conductive ink to fill vias, one or more conductive layers may be provided, which allow for fine pin pitches or other crowded substrates to utilize multiple layers for traces connecting the contact pad to the pins of an electronic component. By applying a substrate with conductive ink and then selectively applying a solderable ink on the conductive ink, and with conductive ink filling the vias, electronic components may be attached to a substrate that provides mechanical attachment and electrical connectivity which may also be formable or flexible.