FPC connectors manufacturers push to release variants with tighter pitches

FPC connectors with 0.25 and 0.3mm pitches still make up a small portion of output. A few companies already offer 0.2mm models.

Miniaturization will continue to drive FPC connectors production in mainland China as suppliers strive to bolster turnout of units with smaller pitches. This is to meet the increasing density of circuitries in key applications such as mobile, wearable and automotive electronics, computers and peripherals, and instruments.

A few local companies are now manufacturing 0.2 and 0.25mm types, venturing into the segment dominated by industry leaders such as Molex, Kyocera, TE Connectivity and DDK.

A greater number of makers have started carrying 0.3mm kinds in their standard selections. Dongguan Heling has introduced 0.4A units with 0.3mm pitch and 1mm height. With bottom contacts designed for horizontal mounting, the connectors come in variants with four to 60 pins made of phosphor bronze.

Many more enterprises will emphasize the development of FPC connectors with 0.25 and 0.3mm pitches and slimmer than 1mm profiles, while continuing to cater to various customization requirements. The latter is still a staple service among the majority of China suppliers. Buyer-specific orders represent between 30 and 60 percent of their shipments.

In terms of production expansion, most companies are confident they will be able to sustain the momentum of recent years. Interviewed Taiwan supplier Ariba Technology Co. Ltd plans to maintain an 11 percent output increase in the months ahead and through 2020. It exports 65 percent of yield mainly to Europe, the US and Asia, and is looking forward to a 10 to 15 percent uptick in overseas transactions in 2019 and the following year.

The line is a growing market globally and will continue increasing in scale by nearly 10 percent in coming months, fueled by climbing demand in major application bases. In the mainland, the rise in sales has been exceeding 10 percent and will be in the 10 to 15 percent range in the next two years, thanks to the robust smartphone industry.

More than 300 companies make up the manufacturing industry for FPC connectors in the mainland. The major local and foreign players include Luxshare-ICT, Zhejiang Yonggui, Derun, P-Two, Foxconn and Aces. The category accounts for 20 to 70 percent of total shipments, and this share may still go up.

The main production bases are in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, specifically in the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan in the first, and Suzhou and Wenzhou respectively in the last two.

Only a few makers are expected to join the line due to intense competition.

Typical selection

The most widely produced FPC connectors in the mainland come in pitches of 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.25 and 2.54mm, and height options of 0.9, 1, 1.2, 1.5, 2 and 2.5mm. These have four to 60 pins in single or dual rows, ZIF or non-ZIF styles and SMD or DIP construction.

Products use copper alloy and nickel plating for the contacts, brass for the fitting nails and UL94V-0-rated thermoplastic for the insulators. The key applications are mobile, wearable and automotive electronics, and medical devices.

All materials, including phosphor bronze, brass, nickel, tin and polyester, are obtained locally or from foreign providers, depending on customers' requirement.

The cost of manufacturing inputs has not changed much in past months, enabling most suppliers to reduce prices between 5 and 10 percent to boost their competitive advantage. In the months ahead, outlay for materials is expected to become stable and keep product quotes unchanged.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our mainland China-based market analyst for representing current trends in FPC connectors from mainland China and Taiwan makers.

FPC connector with 0.5mm pitch

Ariba Technology Co. Ltd's 0.5mm-pitch FPC connector, 866DXXG1X-41M2 model, has 50VAC/DC voltage and 0.5A current ratings. Its maximum contact resistance is 100mohm, the minimum insulation resistance 500Mohm and the withstand voltage 250VAC/min. The unit with 1mm height operates in -55 to 85 C.

The minimum order is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

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FPC connector has 200VAC/min withstand voltage

This FPC connector from Dongguan Lianda Precision Products Co. Ltd, L501XX-212XXX model, has 0.5mm pitch and 1.5mm height. Its voltage and current ratings are 50VAC/DC and 0.4A. The maximum contact resistance is 20mohm, the minimum insulation resistance 500Mohm and the withstand voltage 200VAC/min. The product supports -25to 85 C operation.

The minimum order of 2,000 units is delivered within 7 days.

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0.5mm-pitch FPC connector has 34 pins

The QC#9832 model from Shenzhen Y-Create Wire and Cable Co. Ltd is a clam shell-type FPC connector with 0.5mm pitch and 34 pins.

The product, which meets RoHS and UL, has a 10,000-unit minimum order. Delivery takes 7 days.

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0.8mm-pitch FPC connector withstands 500V

Xinfuer Electronic Co. Ltd offers the model 0.8A-NPBX FPC connector with 0.8mm pitch and 2mm height. The 50V unit has ≤0.03ohm contact and ≥500Mohm insulation resistance, and can withstand 500V. The RoHS-compliant product operates in -25 to 85 C.

An order of at least 1,000 units is required for delivery within 7 days.

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