FFC - Flexible Flat Cable - standard versions and custom tailored
FFC – Flex Cables – Cost efficient, many wires, flexible, for data rates up to 10Gbit/sec and more ▼
FFC is the short form for flexible flat cables. These are flexible cables with 1,0mm or 0,5mm pitch. They consist of two cover foils, stiffeners at both ends and wires. In a lamination process all of these elements are brought together to a cable. The desing does not require any additional terminal at the ends. So FFC are used for cost efficient connections with up to 80 wires. The flexibility brings freedom to the positioning of the mating connectors and allows big tolerances of the assembly of the PCBs which are to be connected. FFCs can be folded for any complex wiring situation in your application.
The stripped area for the mating connectors can be on the same or the opposite side of the FFC.
FFC are specified for a high number of bending cycles, for example 15Mio cycles at a radius of 15mm. They are useful in applications with permanent move. The move may be rotation or linear, like a drag chain.
The mating part is FFC/FPC connector, mostly ZIF connector. ZIF stands for zero insertion force. The FFC is mated with zero force and then locked with a slider, a rotating lock or automatically.
The stripped area for the mating connectors can be on the same or the opposite side of the FFC.
FFC are specified for a high number of bending cycles, for example 15Mio cycles at a radius of 15mm. They are useful in applications with permanent move. The move may be rotation or linear, like a drag chain.
The mating part is FFC/FPC connector, mostly ZIF connector. ZIF stands for zero insertion force. The FFC is mated with zero force and then locked with a slider, a rotating lock or automatically.
FFC with punched or non-punched Ends ▼
The structure of the FFC at both ends depends on the mating connector. Standard ZIF-Connector have no special requirement except a final thickness of 0,3mm. For such connectors, the FFC is just cut at both ends. This easy type is cheap in production but bears the risk of non mating wires. This may happen, when the FFC is not mated to the ZIF very accurate.
For perfect mating, there are ZIF connectors in place which require a punched structure in the stiffener area. The punch can be made fast and precise by a punching machine. For each connector and for each number of wires a different punching tool is required. ElectronAix has many tools already in use, for example for IRISO-IMSA-i-Lock, IRISO-IMSA-auto-i-Lock, Hirose FH41/48, I-PEX-Evaflex and others.
For perfect mating, there are ZIF connectors in place which require a punched structure in the stiffener area. The punch can be made fast and precise by a punching machine. For each connector and for each number of wires a different punching tool is required. ElectronAix has many tools already in use, for example for IRISO-IMSA-i-Lock, IRISO-IMSA-auto-i-Lock, Hirose FH41/48, I-PEX-Evaflex and others.
FFC for LVDS and High Speed FFC ▼
By applying an additional ground layer, the impedance of the FFC can be controlled at 100 Ohm. The ground layer requires a special connection. This is a conductive area in the contact area, the ground plate. The ground plate connects the shield of the FFC with mating terminals of the ZIF connector. Products such as IRISO-IMSA-auto-i-Lock, Hirose FH41/48, I-PEX-Evaflex are suitable. ElectronAix delivers FFC for all connectors.
The additional ground layer can be one sided or double sided at the FFC.
LVDS-FFC are capable for data rates up to 5 Gbit/sec.
The double layer solution has a better shielding but less flexibility and softness.
High speed FFC are very similar to LVDS-FFC. The difference are smaller tolerances in the applied materials for less attenuation. High speed FFC are capable for data rates up to 10 Gbit/sec.
The additional ground layer can be one sided or double sided at the FFC.
LVDS-FFC are capable for data rates up to 5 Gbit/sec.
The double layer solution has a better shielding but less flexibility and softness.
High speed FFC are very similar to LVDS-FFC. The difference are smaller tolerances in the applied materials for less attenuation. High speed FFC are capable for data rates up to 10 Gbit/sec.
Shielded FFC ▼
Shielded FFC are having best EMI behaviour by applying a double side shield.
The ground layer requires a special connection. This is a conductive area in the contact area, the ground plate. The ground plate connects the shield of the FFC with mating terminals of the ZIF connector. Products such as IRISO-IMSA-auto-i-Lock, Hirose FH41/48, I-PEX-Evaflex are suitable. ElectronAix delivers FFC for all connectors.
Alternatively the shield can be connected with any wire of the FFC. In this case no ZIF with ground terminals is required.
The standard procedure is to wrap the shield around the FFC. The shield is outside non conductive.
As an option, the shild can be laminated on both sides of the FFC. In this case, the edges are conductive, what requires special care to avoid shortcuts in the application.
ElectronAix supplies FFC with all available shieldings.
The ground layer requires a special connection. This is a conductive area in the contact area, the ground plate. The ground plate connects the shield of the FFC with mating terminals of the ZIF connector. Products such as IRISO-IMSA-auto-i-Lock, Hirose FH41/48, I-PEX-Evaflex are suitable. ElectronAix delivers FFC for all connectors.
Alternatively the shield can be connected with any wire of the FFC. In this case no ZIF with ground terminals is required.
The standard procedure is to wrap the shield around the FFC. The shield is outside non conductive.
As an option, the shild can be laminated on both sides of the FFC. In this case, the edges are conductive, what requires special care to avoid shortcuts in the application.
ElectronAix supplies FFC with all available shieldings.
FFC for extended Temperature Range 1000h/125°C and 1000h/135°C ▼
With the suitable raw material, FFC from ElectronAix can stand a temperature of 1000h/125°C and 1000h/135°C. These are our automotive high temperature versions.
Halogenfree FFC ▼
Except the high temperature versions, all FFC are available with halogenfree raw material.
20 Years + Experience, short Time to Market, high Quality, Tests and Cleanliness ▼
Short Time to Market.
Many years of experience, attention to details and passion for our business will support you to get the required cable fast and according to your need. Our aim is, to provide helpful information fast, the correct drawing and samples right away. This helps you to reduce your time to market. A raw material management allows us to deliver products fast and with short lead times.
High Quality
A ISO9001 and IATF16949 approved production and approvals in automotive applications indicate the high quality level of our FFC for your security. All cables are produced in high level automated production lines with auto punching and in line CCD-inspection of the punch.
Tests and Cleanliness
You wish to have special test, for example bending cycles, the transmission rate or attenuation? This is no problem with ElectronAix, either with your or our testing adapter.
Due to our experience with automotive applications we can deliver clean products, following VDA.
Due to our experience with automotive applications we can deliver clean products, following VDA.
Our Strength
Our strength are lots with more than 1000 pieces: Electronaix provides a drawing for approval and samples for approval. The products from mass production are always 100% the same as the samples
Peter Stremmer, Your contact window for FFC – Flexible Flat Cables:
"Just call or write to me. I will care for your request from the first clarification until the mass production. Our strength are lotssizes bigger than 100 pieces, You will receive a drawing for approval and samples for approval.
Deliveries will be 100% same as the samples: from the same production line and with the same raw material."
 | Your Contact WIndow for FFC Mr Peter Stremmer +49-241-18906-91 peter.stremmer@electronaix.com To Conatct Form |  |