[sdiy] PCB extenders with a flexible ribbon cable - looking for suggestions on construction method

[Ben Stuyts]

> On 3 Feb 2024, at 16:20, cheater cheater <cheater00social at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> - rigid/flex pcb (but could be expensive depending on length of the tail, panelising will help here)
>> - FPC cables (e.g. https://www.we-online.com/en/components/products/em/connectors/fpc_connector_and_ffc_cab/wr-ffc_flat_flexible_cable_0_50mm)
> 
> I'm not looking for a connector! I already have one. I'm looking for a
> good way of quickly and reliably soldering ribbon to a pcb, and I'm
> also looking for an enclosure.

Ok, so this is like a standard 1.27mm pitch IDC ribbon cable? Can’t you use a standard ribbon cable connector then? All those soldering options you mention seem like a lot of work and risky, quality-wise. If you need a fixed connection, perhaps a IDC to DIP connector like https://www.digikey.nl/en/products/detail/assmann-wsw-components/AWLP-40-3-2-G/924878

> 
>> Consider 3d-printing the case.
> 
> I did! It's mentioned in the OP.

Sorry, missed that part.

> It's better to find something that
> already exists. Currently I'm thinking about whether a cable mount
> europlug receptacle will be good for that, it seems to have the right
> dimensions, and i can just remove the mains related inner life.

3d-printing by an external party can get expensive, even more so if you have to hire somebody to do the design. But if you can do both these things yourself it’s a no-brainer. I do a bit of (in-house) 3d-printing for my main business. 100 pcs is quite the sweet spot for 3d-printing. We used to get some COTS boxes and then either the supplier or we ourselves drill some holes in the right places. All very labour intensive. With 3d-printing everything is exactly as you need, and you can iterate the design quite fast. It also looks better (depending on the quality of your printer) and bespoke.

Ben

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