Ribbon alternative cuts cost space and weight

Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) from Imperial Connector Systems is a low-cost high-reliability easy-to-use PCB interconnect system.

Flat Flexible Cable (FFC) from Imperial Connector Systems is a low-cost high-reliability easy-to-use PCB interconnect system.

The length, number of ways, pitch and type of termination is customer specified to suit their applications.

The cables are produced on high tech machines which laminate flat tin-plated copper conductors between polyester-based insulating films, and each is 100% tested.

All products are supplied ready to fit.

The principle advantages of FFC are its low cost, high packaging density, excellent flex life, low profile, easy installation and light weight.

And, although FFC is a custom-made product, lead times can be as short as three weeks from order, and depending on type of FFC.

Minimum orders rarely exceed 2000 pieces.

FFC can either be terminated with connectors or soldered directly to the PCB.

The ends are stripped for direct soldering to a PCB or stiffened with backing tape (supporting tape) to allow insertion into a connector.

ZIF (zero insertion force) or LIF (low insertion force) connectors are most commonly used as they have a low unit cost and are simple to use.

Crimp contacts are also available.

ZIF and LIF connectors are available in horizontal, vertical mount, through hole and surface mount formats (SMD).

LIF connectors are lower cost and smaller in size than ZIF connectors, which have a greater number of mating cycles.

All are available from Imperial Connector Systems.

FFC is available in pitches of 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 1.25, 1.27, 2.0 and 2.54mm.

The number of conductors are available from 2 to 100 depending on the pitch.

These options make FFC particularly suitable for high- density applications where space saving is crucial.

There are three types of FFC available.

The standard series is specified at 100,000 flexes, the Super series at 3,000,000 and the ultra series at 6,000,000 flexes.

FFC is approved to UL2896, UL20624 and UL VW-1 (flammability).

Voltage is rated up to 60V DC and the operating temperature range is -20 to +80C.

An EMI shield can be added during production and grounded to a customer-specified pin.

There are several kinds of shielding materials available like aluminium foil with insulating film, conductive cloth or silver paint which can be applied with silk screening process.

FFC can be supplied folded as part of the manufacturing process to give any form required.

Alternatively, it can be folded by the customer to fit their application.

Typical applications for FFC include VCRs, CD players, DC ROM drives, printers, scanners, audio, car audio, telecomms, computers, LCDs, TVs and monitors, facsimile and copying machines, satellite decoders and set top boxes.

(This was Electronicstalk's Top Story on 19 December 2001).

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