The program FLEX5A.EXE evaluates the comparative thermal/mechanical performance of proposed flex circuit constructions.

It was written and compiled in GFA Basic PC and runs on a 386 or better processor with 256 color Super VGA graphics. It supports most systems with a mouse, but keyboard equivalents provide full functionality. The program needs to find the file GFABAS03.OVL or GFABAS73.OVL (if math coprocessor present) in the same directory (or one listed in your autoexec.bat path statement) to run successfully. It’s a DOS program that’s compatible with Windows.

It uses a sequence of menus to control the program functions. Each of the menu sections has a limited context sensitive help screen available.

When the program requests information, type in the entry and press the enter key. When it requests two values, type in the entries separated by a comma and then press the enter key. If you mistakenly only enter one value and hit enter too soon, just type in the second value and press enter again. If it appears to be locked up, make the entry in the correct format (i.e. 3,6) and the program should continue. In inputting the layer data the program will continue to ask for information until the total number of layers is reached. This sequence cannot be interrupted. If you make an error, simply make the rest of the layer entries correctly, then use the edit function to correct the layer in error.

You can move between the buttons in the file selector and dialog boxes by using the Tab key. The file extension shown in the upper right of the file selector will not be automatically added to the file, so you must type it in as part of the filename.

The four analysis sections require boundary conditions to be defined before the graphing/printing/saving options can perform their calculations.

The keyboard equivalents are accessed by typing a single letter designated with the underline. If all else fails hold down the left Shift+Ctrl+Alt keys to terminate the program.

The program COVERSEL.EXE operates in a similar way and is used to determine the coverfilm adhesive thickness needed to provide conformance over etched circuit patterns.

The program CURRENT#.EXE also operates the same way and is used to estimate the appropriate conductor size, based on the applied current and temperature change limits.

Updates may be obtained from our homepage at http://www.rogers-corp.com/acm, by sending an e-mailing to techcmu@rogers-corp.com or contact the company by fax at (480) 917-5256.

These copyright programs are freeware and are intended for the users of Rogers Circuit Materials. The results obtained from the use of these programs are estimates for comparison purposes only. It is not intended to, and does not create any warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Use of Rogers materials may yield different results in your application.

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