Flattening a flex circuit

kwsauter · ‎Oct 12, 2009

I'm trying flatten a flex circuit with connectors and stiffeners on it.
It's pretty simple, just a straight, flat piece with a connector at each
end on opposite sides. I want the connectors to follow the flex when I
flatten it so I don't have to do a bunch of gyrations to show it as the
EE's would like to see it. I've done this before, but it was years ago.
How do you assemble the connectors so they always follow the flex? I
have assembled them relative to the flex and a central datum plane that
doesn't change orientation when I flatten the flex (the flex is a sheet
metal part), but the connector at the moving end of the flex just hangs
in space after I flatten the flex. Any tips on this?

Ken Sauter
DRS Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition
Infrared Technologies Division
PO Box 740188
Dallas, TX 75374
469-221-5430
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dbowles · ‎Oct 12, 2009

Ken,

I always create an instance of the Flex shmtl .prt flat and formed.

Next in the assembly adding the stiffeners and connectors I will assemble
to a hole location for pin 1.
Mate/insert/align/orient

At the asm level create a family table including the flat and formed
instances of the shtmtl part.
verify the table. The connectors and stiffeners will follow pin one, etc

Douglas K. Bowles
Advanced Systems Harn/Des
520-746-2019 Office
520-490-9395 Cell
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[proecad] - Flattening a flex circuit

I'm trying flatten a flex circuit with connectors and stiffeners on it.
It's pretty simple, just a straight, flat piece with a connector at each
end on opposite sides. I want the connectors to follow the flex when I
flatten it so I don't have to do a bunch of gyrations to show it as the
EE's would like to see it. I've done this before, but it was years ago.
How do you assemble the connectors so they always follow the flex? I have
assembled them relative to the flex and a central datum plane that doesn't
change orientation when I flatten the flex (the flex is a sheet metal
part), but the connector at the moving end of the flex just hangs in space
after I flatten the flex. Any tips on this?
Ken Sauter
DRS Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition
Infrared Technologies Division
PO Box 740188
Dallas, TX 75374
469-221-5430
-
NOTICE: This e-mail transmission (and/or the attachments accompanying it)
may contain confidential or proprietary information belonging to DRS
Technologies or the sender. The information is only for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any
action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited. Any unauthorized interception of this transmission is illegal
under the law. If you have received this transmission in error, please
promptly notify the sender by reply e-mail, and then destroy all copies of
the transmission.
"This (document/presentation) may contain technical data as defined in the
International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 CFR 120.10. Export of
this material is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751
et seq.) and may not be exported to foreign persons without prior written
approval from the U.S. Department of State."

lwh · ‎Oct 13, 2009

The important thing is to not use common datums, but to reference Your components only to surfaces of the sheetmetal part. Then they will follow all distortions.