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This section provides an overview for flat printed circuit (fpc) connectors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 flat printed circuit (fpc) connector manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked flat printed circuit (fpc) connector companies as of December, 2024: 1.Ruger Industries, Inc., 2.PCB International Inc, 3.Agile Circuit Co., Ltd.
Table of Contents
A flat printed circuit (FPC) connector is a type of connector that is a circuit component.
It connects flexible circuit boards called FPCs. They are not usually seen because they are used to connect circuit boards inside devices.
Flat printed circuit (FPC) connectors are mounted on rigid circuit boards inside electronic devices and used to connect FPCs. Examples include automobiles, medical equipment, cellular phones, notebook PCs, LCD TVs, digital cameras, and game devices.
FPCs and FPC connectors contribute greatly to the miniaturization and space saving of electrical appliances. Demand is expected to increase in the future, as electrical appliances and portable devices tend to become even smaller.
FPC connectors consist of a contact part for connecting electrical signals and a housing part for protecting the contact part. This configuration is similar to that of an ordinary connector.
The material of the contact part is metal. A copper surface treated with gold, silver, or tin is used for good conductivity. To avoid corrosion due to contact between different metals, the same type of metal as the surface treatment of the FPC to be connected is often selected.
Resin is used for the housing portion. Since it is soldered on a rigid board, heat-resistant resin is used for the resin. It covers the contact section and protects the metal terminals from deformation and damage. The contact and housing take a structure that locks the FPC once inserted to maintain the gripping fit.
As mentioned above, FPC connectors have a locking mechanism. There are two types of locking mechanisms: ZIF structure and Non-ZIF (N-ZIF, non-ZIF) structure.
In the ZIF structure, the FPC inserted into the connector is locked with a lever. When locked, the terminals make contact with each other.
Since less force is required for insertion and friction is reduced, workability and contact problems are less likely to occur even when the number of terminals exceeds several tens of pins. For this reason, it is used in many FPC connectors.
In the non-ZIF structure, the FPC is inserted into the spring-loaded terminals in a press-fit manner. Since it is a press-fit, the FPC is locked just by inserting it.
Although it is easy to work with because the connection is completed just by inserting, it is not suitable for a terminal count exceeding several tens of pins because of the risk of damaging the connector itself or the FPC due to increased friction.
FPC connectors can be broadly classified into four types: two types based on the direction of FPC connection and two types based on the locking mechanism, resulting in the following four 2x2 combinations.
There are two connection directions: horizontal and vertical. In the horizontal connection, the FPC is inserted horizontally with the rigid board. In the vertical connection, the FPC is inserted perpendicular to the rigid board.
There are two types of locking mechanisms: ZIF and Non-ZIF. ZIF uses a locking lever to secure the FPC inserted into the FPC connector, while Non-ZIF has no locking lever and uses a spring-loaded metal contact to press the FPC into the connector.
In addition to the aforementioned items, there are other parameters to consider when selecting an FPC connector. It is important to select a component that matches the intended use and the characteristics of the equipment in which it will be mounted.
The distance from the center of an electrode to the center of the adjacent electrode is called the pitch; it is necessary to select a connector that matches the wiring pitch of the FPC.
In order to guarantee the stability of the connection and the electrical connection, it is necessary to select a connector that matches the thickness of the FPC.
The appropriate number of electrodes must be selected according to the circuit design of the rigid board and FPC.
From the standpoint of reliability of signal continuity and corrosion protection, connectors should be selected so that the contacts are the same metal as the FPC.
There are three types of contacts with the FPC: top, bottom, and both sides. The appropriate contact direction should be selected in accordance with the structure of the device to be used.
A dedicated flat printed circuit (FPC) connector must be selected according to the characteristics of the signal to be passed through the FPC, such as high power or high-speed transmission.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Molex was founded in 1938 with the invention of Molex in 1938 and today is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, and a subsidiary of Koch Industries. In the 1950s, the company invented the Molex connector which became the standard for power connections in personal computers for decades. Today the company is a manufacturer of electronic and fiber optic connectivity systems for customers in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecom infrastructure. The company has several product categories including Connectors, Optical Solutions, Capillary Tubing & Micro Components, and Automation.
Ruger Industries Inc., a division of The David Round Company, founded in 1869 and headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio, United States, is a manufacturer of material handling and lifting equipment. The company's product line includes ride-on battery-powered cranes, manual construction loader cranes, and lifting machines with various attachments for such applications as lifting drums or moving bulk industrial bags. It also offers accessories for its products, such as floor lock brakes, maintenance-free battery packs, and non-marking solid elastomer wheels. It also welcomes clients for consultations on custom-designed lifting solutions.
PCB International Inc, Established in 2008, has emerged as a manufacturer and supplier in the electronics industry. The company specializes in the printed circuit boards (PCBs), offering full turnkey solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients. The company has played a pivotal role in the semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing sector with strong quality. The company's expertise extends to areas such as computer and electronic product manufacturing. The company has solidified its position as a partner for businesses seeking PCB solutions.
Excel Cell Electronic, founded in 1981 is a manufacturer and supplier of electromechanical components and stamping products headquartered in Taiwan. The company offers electromechanical components including industrial control switches, stepping motors, terminal blocks, resettable fuses, and relays. Their stamping products include heat spreaders for BGA, high-precision electronic components, and lead frames of semiconductors for discrete devices / integrated circuit & photoelectric products. The company is ISO/TS 16949:2009, CNS15506: 2011, TOSHMS: 2007, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001-certified, and their products are used in various applications in optoelectronic, security systems, power energy, network, and communication industries.
DDK Ltd., founded in 1963 and currently a subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd., is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Koto-ku, Tokyo, specializing in electronical connectors. The company’s product range includes automotive, board-to-board, circular and rectangular, coaxial, as well as flexible flat cable (FFC)/flexible printed circuit (FPC) connectors. These connectors are utilized across industries such as automotive, applied in automotive navigation systems, electronic toll collections, and vehicle audio devices; base stations of wireless computer networking; factory automation, applied in control equipment, industrial robots, servomotors, and welding machines; and information technology, applied in digital cameras and video cameras, mobile devices, and measuring instruments.
Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd was founded in 1956 and is a manufacturer of test solution and connector solution products based in Ota, Tokyo, Japan. The company manufactures various products such as open top burn-in sockets, cantilever test sockets, camera module connectore, high speed transmission wiring board, and card edge sockets. The products are used in various applications such as automobiles, production sites, communications infrastructure, smartphones, and servers. The company has certified with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards certifications.
JST Group, founded in 1957, is an international manufacturing company specializing in the development of all types of systems for connecting electric power and electronic devices. It obtained ISO9002 approval in 1993, and it has gone on to open offices and affiliated companies in Europe, America and other parts of Asia. JST uses modern advances like ultraprecision technology, gold plating processes, CNC copy grinder, to ensure quality and improved performance of every appliance it manufactures. JST products can be used in televisions, laptops, trains, medical equipments and even kitchen appliances.
HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (HRS) is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in electronic and electrical connectors. Founded in Tokyo in 1937, the company now has eight factories located in Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with several sales and service locations throughout the US, Europe, and Singapore. The company carries a selection of over 50,000 products, including fiber optic connectors, sealed connectors, and card edge connectors. HRS also offers advanced engineering services to cater to specific customer demands, and after-sales support to clients in the consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications industries.
Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd, commonly known as JAE, was established in 1953 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is a designer and manufacturer of connectors, user interface solutions, and electronics for the aerospace, agriculture, semiconductor, and camera stabilization sectors. THe company’s product segments include IO connectors, board to board connects, cable to cable connectors, and more. The company’s motion sensing and control segment includes accelerometers, inertial measurement units, and directional modules.
Almita Co., Ltd., Established in 1987, is a manufacturer specializing in connectors and interconnecting components. The company's expertise lies in the design, production, and distribution of a wide range of PCB connectors that facilitate mechanical and electrical connections to printed circuit boards. The company's connectors are available in both through-hole and surface-mounting variants, catering to diverse application needs. The company has solidified its position as an experienced player in the electronics industry, serving as a source of vital components that underpin various electronic devices and systems, with a history spanning several decades.
SMK Corporation, with its roots dating back to 1925 in Tokyo, Japan, has established itself as a manufacturer specializing in connectors, remote control systems, and electronic components. It boasts a diverse product portfolio that includes connectors, plugs, switches, remote control units, and touch panels. These quality components play pivotal roles in an array of applications and an assortment of industries, ranging from home electronics for the operation of devices like air conditioners, to the automotive sector in the rear-view mirrors. Furthermore, its solutions extend to the realm of mobile devices, wearable technology, such as smart glasses, and healthcare equipment.
Iriso Electronics was founded in 1976 in Shimonumabe, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan is a manufacturer of Connectors. The company offers a wide array of connectors including board-to-board, pin header, socket connectors, compression terminal, and ESD protector chip among others. These connectors play an indispensable role in a wide spectrum of application solutions, spanning diverse industries that include automation, automotive, high-speed transmission solutions, onboard coaxial camera solutions, and industrial devices. Additionally, the connectors come fortified with a multitude of advantages that set them apart in the Z-Move structure, 2-Point contact structure, auto I-Lock structure, and floating connectors.
Agile Circuit Co., Ltd, Established in 2003, stands as a manufacturer and supplier of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The company excel in delivering a wide array of PCB solutions, including rigid (116 layers), flex (16 layers), and rigid-flex circuits (1~6 layers). The company is well-equipped to meet your needs, whether the requirement is for quick-turn prototypes, short-run projects, or high-volume mass production. The company's customer-centric approach ensures the quality, cost-effective PCB boards for various applications, spanning computer technology, telecommunications, consumer electronics, automotive systems, and industrial applications.
FPCway, established in 2013, is a manufacturer and supplier in the electronics industry, the company operates from its base in Shenzhen, China. The company is specializing in the flexible printed circuit boards (Flex PCB), rigid-flex PCBs, and PCB assembly services. The company caters to a diverse range of industries, with a strong with ISO9001, ISO14001, TS16949, UL, and RoHS standards. The company's expertise lies in providing tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of its clients. The company's adding up to the electronics sector has made it a name globally, ensuring the success of countless projects.
Daitron Group, is an electronics engineering manufacturer, founded in 1952 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is involved in the sales, import, and export of electronic components, assembly goods, semiconductors, embedded systems, power supply equipment, and image-related equipment and components. Its product line encompasses a diverse array of independently developed products, including production and inspection equipment for silicon wafers, ICs, LSIs, and flat panels. The company merged with domestic subsidiaries Daito Denso Co., Ltd. and Daitron Technology Co., Ltd. in 2017, resulting to the change of its trade name.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruger Industries, Inc. |
12.9%
|
| 2 | PCB International Inc |
11.4%
|
| 3 | Agile Circuit Co., Ltd |
8.6%
|
| 4 | Molex, LLC |
8.6%
|
| 5 | Almita Co. Ltd. |
7.1%
|
| 6 | FPCway |
7.1%
|
| 7 | HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD. |
7.1%
|
| 8 | DAITRON CO., LTD |
7.1%
|
| 9 | ECE |
5.7%
|
| 10 | SMK Corporation |
5.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the flat printed circuit (fpc) connector page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
7 | 50.0% |
|
United States of America
|
3 | 21.4% |
|
Taiwan
|
2 | 14.3% |
|
China
|
2 | 14.3% |
37 products found
37 products
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