Flex PCB Insertion Tool

[tarun172]

We are trying integrate a new flex PCB design in our manufacturing process. Part of this process, requires us to insert portion of flex PCB into a connector. Is there a standard tool available that you would recommend? 

- tarun172

[nsrmagazin]

That seems unwise. What will hold the PCB inside of the connector, why not put it a little further inside or outside of the connector?

[KL27x]

I think he means a tool for helping insert a gold fingered bit of the flex board into an FPC connector. So something like a tweezer for the manual assembly part, to help getting what is essentially a thin, floppy ribbon into an itsy bitsy connector with minimal time and effort. Without buggering the job. Bending the board and breaking traces, and whatnot. Fingertips might be too large to get into where this has to happen.

The ideal tool depends on the exact job. Maybe straight tweezers, bent tweezers, forceps straight/curved. Perhaps some silicone or plasti-dip on the ends for grip could be useful.

[TERRA Operative]

Rubber tipped tweezers might be the go here. Soft to not scratch, and the rubber gives grip.

[tarun172]

@nsrmagazin. TO KL27x point, Yes. That is what I was looking for. I experimented with soft tweezers with little success. Was wondering if there is a standard tool available. Could not find any on Digikey, Mouser, Newark and Allied.

[KL27x]

If there is a dedicated tool for this, I have not heard of it.

FPC ribbons usually have a "stiffener" in the form of a tab on either end. This adds some stiffness to keep the end from bending too much. And for the final push/seating, you can grab the ribbon behind this neck so there's a ridge to push against.

I don't know if this is feasible to do with your project, but all FPC manufacturers can add extra things like this for an added cost. You've probably already spec'ed the connector and have matched the board thickness, so this is not likely a realistic option. Plus, your connector might be double-sided. Even in these cases, you might consider adding a strip of stiffener just a bit outside of where the connector ends, just to give that ridge to push against. Maybe a 0.2mm polyamide stiffener.