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

[cheater cheater]

On Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 5:20 PM Ben Stuyts <ben at stuyts.nl> wrote:
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> On 3 Feb 2024, at 16:20, cheater cheater <cheater00social at gmail.com> wrote:
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> - 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)
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> 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.
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> 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

The main connector is already decided, it is the PCIE x1 connector.
(note it's only mechanically pcie x1). All I need to figure out is how
to solder a ribbon to a pcb with minimal effort and cost and rejects,
and how to house the whole thing (pcb + ribbon) in a cartridge-style
enclosure. However, maybe it's a better idea to crimp the cable into
such a connector like you have there, and then solder *that* to the
tiny pcb that'll hold a pcie x1 edge with gold fingers. Good idea. I
wonder if those exist in 0.64mm pitch... OK, I checked with Digikey
and one of those is 8 Euro. Wow. Literally crazy.




> > 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.
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> 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.

This isn't a situation like this. If there's a box that'll fit what
I'm making, it'll be good. So it's better not to 3d print. A europlug
costs 80 cents in small volumes and might be able to fit the whole
shebang with minimal modification while providing great mechanical
stability and requiring no learning on my part or up front machine
purchase. Beats 3d printing.