Goldenconn's model B1270W50HUM2 50-pin FPC connector has 1.27mm pitch and brass contacts.

Finer pitch and enhanced reliability are on the agenda. Companies are also launching more dual-row types.

Mobile electronics are the key growth driver for China’s FPC connectors industry, spurring makers to continue improving their selections and expanding production to sustain momentum in this market. Companies project a sales uptick surpassing 10 percent in 2015, fueled by climbing requirement in smartphones, tablet PCs and other portable devices. Releases for these terminal applications represent as much as 70 percent of the local interconnect category’s shipments.

For the first objective, suppliers aim for finer pitch. They have raised output of 0.3mm units, which now join 0.5mm variants in the mainstream. In the future, makers look to add 0.25mm kinds to their standard lineups, following the lead of international players Tyco and Molex. At present, only a few domestic enterprises can turn out such models.

Better reliability is on the product agenda as well. Companies generally adopt a locking design for firmer loading, and target zero insertion force.

In addition, makers are bolstering the release of dual-row variants, which are popular especially in compact consumer electronics. Shenzhen Antenk Electronics Co. Ltd and Shenzhen GLGNet Electronics Co. Ltd offer such kinds.

The latter is among the majority of manufacturers augmenting capacity to prepare for the increase in orders. Shenzhen GLGNet plans between 10 and 20 percent adjustment in the months ahead. It implemented a 50 percent boost in 2013 and can now handle 1.5 million units per month. The supplier imported high-speed plastic injection machines from Japan to enhance production efficiency and output quality.

Dongguan A Rui Electronics Co. Ltd will continue to focus on FPC connectors for mobile devices, allocating about 80 percent of yield mainly for smartphones and tablet PCs. It is counting on 10 percent higher demand from the segment.

The upbeat outlook is supported by increasing sales in the counterpart flexible PCB sector, spurred by portable electronics. The component’s global revenue is projected to hit $13.2 billion in 2016 from $9.2 billion in 2011, posting about 8 percent CAGR, according to Prismark.

China makers also offer FPC connectors for automotive, medical equipment and military uses. They export products mainly to North America, Europe and East Asia.

FPC connectors have more than 300 manufacturers in mainland China. Over 70 percent of the companies are locally owned and the rest with foreign investment mostly from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Major industry players Molex and TE Connectivity are part of the pool.

The category represents 30 to 80 percent of makers’ output, which also includes cable assemblies and other types of connectors.

Guangdong province is the largest production base for the line, with more than two-thirds of the suppliers in the cities of Shenzhen and Dongguan.

Mainstream selection

Besides 0.3 and 0.5mm, local FPC connectors come in 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.25 and 2.54mm pitch. By height, there are 1, 1.2, 1.5, 2 and 2.5mm units in 4 to 60-pin and SMD and DIP configurations.

Products have nickel- or tin-plated phosphor bronze contacts and UL94V-0-rated liquid crystal polymer insulators.

All meet CE, RoHS and UL requirements.

The key materials are metal and plastic. Makers obtain them locally, sourcing the latter from foreign providers on request only.

Production is semi- or fully-automated. Pressing, plastic injection and insertion machines are the main equipment used.

Prices have generally stayed unchanged, owing to the stable cost of manufacturing inputs. The trend is expected to last until 2015.

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Product gallery

Dongguan A Rui Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: F0300
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 1mm pitch; 50V, 0.4A; 30mohm contact, 500Mohm insulation resistance; 50VAC/min withstand voltage; -25 to 85 C operating temperature

Goldenconn Electronics (Suzhou) Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: B1270W50HUM2
MOQ: 5,000 units
Delivery: 20 days
Description: 50 pins; 1.27mm pitch; 50VAC, 1A; brass contact, 100 to 200μin tin or gold flash over 30 to 100μin nickel plating; UL94V-0-rated liquid crystal polymer housing

Shenzhen Antenk Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 2.54mm Series 01
MOQ: 500 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: DIP, straight, dual rows; 2.54mm pitch; 250VAC, 1A AC/DC; 1,000VAC/min withstand voltage; -40 to 105 C operating temperature

Shenzhen GLGNet Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: M5005
MOQ: 2,400 units
Delivery: 25 days
Description: Dual rows; 0.5mm pitch; 50VAC, 1A; 30mohm maximum contact, 500Mohm minimum insulation resistance; 300VAC dielectric withstand voltage; copper alloy terminals; UL94V-0-rated thermoplastic housing; -40 to 85 C operating temperature; 2.5mm height