The modular design of compact and mobile devices requires the use of space saving connectors and cables, such as FFCs and ZIF connectors. The TME catalogue includes diverse products of this kind offered by GCT, which are available directly from our warehouses.
The FFC (Flat Flexible Cable) technology involves manufacturing cables by applying metallic tracks on plastic tapes. As the name suggests, these cables are flexible, so they can be bent and are often installed in devices containing moving components. As such, they can be used in devices featuring a movable head (seated on a linear guide), such as scanners, printers, plotters, CNC milling machines, etc. With a very low profile (thickness) and capacity to contain multiple conductors, FFCs have become a standard solution for designing hand-held devices and wearable tech, as they facilitate module connection and exert minimum impact on the product size.
GCT provides an extensive variety of connectors used in precision electronic engineering, many of which can be found in the TME catalogue. See below for the description of a few selected items included in this product range, i.e. FFCs and compatible connectors. A lot of these solutions are available directly from our warehouses.
This text covers the following issues:
- Zero Insertion Force technology
- Connecting FFCs to PCBs
- New in the range – FFC2A36: vertical flip-lock connector
- Selection and parameters of the FFCs offered by TME
ZIF connectors
ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connectors require exerting very little force to connect a cable. This property is particularly important when it comes to FFC sockets, as it eliminates the risk of cable damage and eases installation. Its movement in the connector is prevented by a lever-operated or key-shaped actuator integrated within the connector body.
FFC sockets
PCB sockets for FFCs are surface-mounted (SMT) components, that have two key properties. Firstly, is the track spacing, i.e. the distance between individual conductors applied on an FFC, which simultaneously serves as a contact pitch. These products come in 0.5 and 1mm versions. Secondly, the body orientation in relation to the PCB surface (i.e. horizontal or vertical).
Selecting the correct model is mostly determined by the design characteristics of the target device.
0.5 mm contact pitch, vertical
1mm contact pitch, horizontal
1mm contact pitch, vertical
ZIF connectors offered by GCT and available in the TME catalogue feature from 4 to 60 pins. Depending on the model, they withstand from 30 to 125V, at the maximum current up to 1A. Gold or tin-plating makes contacts resistant to corrosion and wear. The sockets are designed to operate in a wide temperature range (from -25 to 85°C), which makes it possible to install them in the vicinity of components whose temperature might rise, such as voltage converters, batteries, or charging drivers.
New in the range – FFC2A36: vertical flip-lock connector
The range has been expanded to include a new vertical flip-lock connector – FFC2A36. Designed for applications requiring vertical cable routing, these components use a ZIF interface with a 0.5mm pitch and a flip-lock design with a clamping mechanism that ensures uniform pressure across all cable contacts. The hinged actuator mechanism at each contact point increases locking stability and provides clear tactile feedback during cable installation. The connectors are designed to work with GCT FFC cables with either tin-plated or gold-plated contacts, and the standard configuration includes a right-hand footprint, commonly used in vertical mounting layouts. The components are equipped with reinforced mounting terminals (fitting nails) plated with tin and copper-alloy contacts with a nickel underlayer, ensuring stable electrical parameters and mechanical durability within a temperature range from –25 to 85°C.
FFCs
The complete range of FFCs offered by GCT and available in our product catalogue includes over 1,000 items. Such an extensive assortment results from the fact that these products are available in numerous length versions (from 30 to 304mm), offer different track spacing (0.5 or 1mm), and come with various numbers (from 4 to 50) and locations of the contacts, which can be placed on the same or reverse surface on opposite cable ends.
Length up to 100mm
Length from 100 to 200mm
Length from 200 to 300mm
Length over 300mm
The FFC parameters are the same or close to those of the connectors described in this text. The rated voltage for all products is 60V (at 0.5 or 1A), which means that such solutions can be used in a wide spectrum of applications, as well as in power supply or charging circuits. The contacts are tin-plated to ensure minimum connection resistance, but for more demanding applications, gold-plated versions are also available in the catalogue. The extensive thermal tolerance range is also important, as these FFCs can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to 80°C.
