FFC connection to PCB

[shadewind]

I know there are ZIF connectors which can be mounted on PCBs to interface with FFC cables but for some FFC styles I can't seem to find any connectors. How do you interface with these? Can you solder them to the board? Press them against pads on the board? What is the best way to do this?

This is an example, an OLED display with 0.7 mm FFC pitch as far as I can tell:
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/56397.pdf

[daedalus]

On rigid displays such as lcds you come across designs using a type of rubber strip that is conductive only from top to bottom, not left to right (think a stack of slices of conductive and insulate material). This rubber is placed between a terminal strip on the screen, and similar pads on the pcb, and light pressure is applied. Where the slices make contact with a conductor on the display, and a pad, current can flow, but the adjacent pins are still electrically isolated from each other.

I have no idea what the material is called I'm afraid, only came across the construction method stripping down some scales recently.

Maybe something similar is possible with this display? It appears there are two holes in the FFC for attachment / clamping.

[daedalus]

Actually just did a quick check, and this stuff looks far more promising, it works the same as the rubber, but in a thin adhesive tape.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/AdhesivesForElectronics/Home/Products/SpecialtyTape/AnisotropicConductiveFilms/

[Joshua]

On rigid displays such as lcds you come across designs using a type of rubber strip that is conductive only from top to bottom, not left to right (think a stack of slices of conductive and insulate material). This rubber is placed between a terminal strip on the screen, and similar pads on the pcb, and light pressure is applied. Where the slices make contact with a conductor on the display, and a pad, current can flow, but the adjacent pins are still electrically isolated from each other.

I have no idea what the material is called I'm afraid, only came across the construction method stripping down some scales recently.

Maybe something similar is possible with this display? It appears there are two holes in the FFC for attachment / clamping.

People commonly refer to these as 'zebra strips'. I think flukes official term for them(for use in their meters) is 'elastomer'

[IanB]

People commonly refer to these as 'zebra strips'. I think flukes official term for them(for use in their meters) is 'elastomer'

Elastomer is just a technical word for an elastic compound like rubber. The term you are looking for is 'elastomeric connector'.

[Joshua]

People commonly refer to these as 'zebra strips'. I think flukes official term for them(for use in their meters) is 'elastomer'

Elastomer is just a technical word for an elastic compound like rubber. The term you are looking for is 'elastomeric connector'.

Aaahh that's what it is! I thought it sounded a bit different...