Flex flat jumper cable, what options?

[peteb2]

So i have some operator panels that are mission critical that need the rotary encoders changed in. That's easy but there are multiple very basic 10 way, 0.5mm pitch 5.5mm width x 78mm long that feed various switch arrays or displays sections & these are now due to age de-laminating & cannot be reinstalled.
It's impossible to hard wire, the manufacturer has classed the equipment as No Longer Serviceable (so no spares).
These were made by Sumitomo who provide a very comprehensive pdf catalog on such tech.  I have searched & find various suppliers DigiKey, Mouser etc that do not carry stock. They can contract to manufacture but that means many, many units!

What to do? My only option as i see it is whether anyone may have seen such a flat ribbon flex used elsewhere & in another product? Length is not important. Perhaps it is a current spare part? This is the 1st time such a situation has arisen so things are kind of desperate! Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

[peteb2]

Anyone had experience with these sorts of offerings from Aliexpress on flat flex cables? (Note apologies but a tiny url does not link correctly)! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004064351607.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.41c5CbyvCbyvBP&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.362094.0&scm_id=1007.40050.362094.0&scm-url=1007.40050.362094.0&pvid=62801488-db10-4bdf-9933-e90e897da34c&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.362094.0,pvid:62801488-db10-4bdf-9933-e90e897da34c,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238116%232002&isseo=y&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21NZD%211.87%210.85%21%21%211.08%21%21%402103253416998249198977184ea7e9%2112000027919489777%21rec%21NZ%21%21AB

[factory]

Look on Mouser or elsewhere for FFC or FPC jumper cables, they have loads from various brands in 0.5mm pitch, just need to choose length & check the connection end thickness with the datasheets.

David

[Ian.M]

Try Farnell - they stock 3" and 4" 10 way 0.5mm pitch flat flex cables.

[peteb2]

Have done that & they always come to a 'will be manufactured' message & a somewhat delay to delivery!

[t1d]

The Asian PCB manufacturers are now making flexible PCBs. I have seen lots of DIYers designing custom cables and having them manufactured on flexible PCBs. Some of them can manufacture things overnight. Also, how about just good old Dupont cable? I guess it all depends on the needed current. HTH.

[chubbymonk]

In my experience, I’ve found that LCSC have quite a large stock of FFC’s.
https://www.lcsc.com/mobile/products/FFC-Connectors_920.html
From a quick search, this one seems to fit your needs? You’ll have to measure the thickness of the cable as well on the mating ends.
https://www.lcsc.com/mobile/product-detail/FFC-FPC-Connect-Cables_JUSHUO-JS05A-10P-100-4-8_C2857479.html
I’ve used the JUSHUO brand before and they seem to be of ok quality.

[kleiner Rainer]

I got samples from Würth in Germany. They have many standard FFC types ex stock, here 10-pole 0.5mm pitch, length 100mm:

https://www.we-online.com/components/products/datasheet/687610100002.pdf

Mouser has them in stock, minimum quantity 1:

https://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Wurth-Elektronik/687610100002?qs=PhR8RmCirEZB4c0lS6qCVQ%3D%3D

Greetings,

Rainer DG1SMD