How does flex circuitry help designers address challenging space, weight, and capability problems?

To understand this, compare the nature of flex to that of standard rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs) utilizing wire cabling and connectors.

Space

Flex is able to occupy three dimensions. It can be bent around corners and over itself in order to fit into a much smaller device enclosure. This contrasts with the clutter and bulkiness often seen in rigid interconnects.

Weight

Because flex is significantly thinner and lighter than standard rigid boards, products incorporating it will naturally be lighter and thus more portable.

Enhanced Capability

Flex lends itself to use in multilayer designs as well as in designs in which the flex circuit serves as an active layer in rigid boards. Such rigid-flex applications can actually remove the need for cabling and connectors; designers thus can use the flex layers for additional circuitry and component placement.