Are there flex cables manufacturers

[silviasol]

Are there manufacturers, like pcb board houses, that make flex cables?  I want to clone this part, if it is possible to make a gerber file with kicad or other programs.

[PChi]

One option is PCB-Pool at http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppuk/info_pcbpool_flex.html

[silviasol]

Does kicad work to make a gerber file for them?

One option is PCB-Pool at http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppuk/info_pcbpool_flex.html

[McBryce]

They accept the original KiCAD files. You don't need to create Gerber files for them.

McBryce.

[JoeN]

Just out of curiosity, what sort of quantities are we talking about here?

[that_guy]

ITead will do it:

http://imall.itead.cc/2layer-flexible-printed-circuits-fpc-5cm-x-10cm-max.html

I can't see their design rules at the moment but from what I remember they go down to 2mil trace/space!

[PChi]

Does kicad work to make a gerber file for them?

One option is PCB-Pool at http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppuk/info_pcbpool_flex.html

Yes, as other people have replied. I used Kicad to create Gerber files then wrapped them all up in a GC-Prevue file and sent that to PCB-Pool. I did that because the GC-Prevue file defines the layer order and orientations.  But there and many ways. I haven't done a home PCB for a while so haven't got recent experience but PCB-Pool PCB quality was good though the silkscreen was little ragged.

[JoeN]

ITead will do it:

http://imall.itead.cc/2layer-flexible-printed-circuits-fpc-5cm-x-10cm-max.html

I can't see their design rules at the moment but from what I remember they go down to 2mil trace/space!

There seem to be caveats in this service ("give us your data and we will get back to you") that make it not seem as turn-key or fixed price as their PCB service.  Does "out of stock" mean they are not doing that anymore or is that just so their system doesn't accept an order until they get to haggle with you?  Anyone use this?  If they can actually do 10 for $90 that's more than fair for a complex design but it less interesting just for cables.  Any other PCB manufacturers doing this that you know of?

[dmills]

Flexi rigid is always an expensive proposition in small quantities, not too bad in thousand quantity lots, but 10 for $90 sounds entirely reasonable to me (And I have paid well over 10 times that when it got interesting).

Wurth will build you **ANYTHING**, but it will cost you, their prototype service can however produce magic (For a price), think 6 layer flexi with 1 2.4mm thick board area at one end and a 1.6 on the other side at the other with 0.15 T/G and filled via in pad, they added a clause to their flexi design rules after that one. 

Regards, Dan.

[JoeN]

filled via in pad, they added a clause to their flexi design rules after that one. 

[silviasol]

So it is possible then, good news.  Looks like my first step is to get the kicad file done.

Anyone know what component this is?  This flex cable is for a printer and this component senses the white color of paper to activate the printer to print. 

[SeanB]

SMD reflective opto coupler, probably made by Sharp. One side IR LED and the other side a photo transistor.  Generally the LED is run at 10mA and the transistor has a pull up of 10k to 5V to use it.

[silviasol]

SMD reflective opto coupler, probably made by Sharp. One side IR LED and the other side a photo transistor.  Generally the LED is run at 10mA and the transistor has a pull up of 10k to 5V to use it.

Wow, thanks.  You guys obviously know your stuff