Specification for Flexible Jumpers

Flexible Jumpers are manufactured using a unique process developed by Elmec Manufacturing. For your reference, please download this document. It describes flex jumpers in detail along with workmanship requirements. When using this document, keep in mind that these are standard tolerances and workmanship. We often manufacture parts that are beyond the scope of this document. Elmec can manufacture to your specification, or create a drawing to meet your specific requirements. If you have requirements beyond this specification, please contact Elmec Sales.

Flexible Jumper Specification (.pdf)

SPECIFICATION NUMBER : EMS02
SPECIFICATION TITLE: FLEXIBLE JUMPERS

1.0 Scope

This specification is a technical description of Elmec standard flexible jumpers. It is recommended that the parts be specified within the limits of this specification. These will be considered as ¡®standard¡¯ Elmec parts and will have the best possible price and delivery. Customizing beyond the limits of this specification may result in increased price, extended delivery, and/or reduced producibility.

2.0 Applicable Documents

ASTM-B170 Copper

EMS01 Bare Copper Wire

IPC-FC-232C/1 Adhesive Coated Dielectric Films for use as Cover Sheets for Flexible Printed Wiring

PC-FC-23C/18 Acrylic Adhesive

3.0 Part Numbering and Description

R28- 1.125- .050- 21- .100 T C R
Wire
(see 3.1)
Length
(see 3.2)
Pitch
(see 3.3)
# Conds.
(see 3.4)
Extension
(see 3.5)
Lead Finish
(see 3.6)
Lead 
Stabilizer
Option
(see 3.7)
Flame
Retardant
Option
(see 3.8)

3.1 Wire Description

The standard conductor material is copper wire, Oxygen Free High Conductivity (OFHC), 99.95% minimum purity per ASTM-B170. The wire is available in three forms – solid (round), stranded, or flat (ribbon). Standard wire for Elmec Flexible Jumpers are:

3.1.1 Round Wire (followed by gauge, AWG) ex. R26 = 26AWG round wire

WIRE GAUGE DIAMETER (INCHES)
R22 .0253
R24 .0201
R26 .0159
R28 .0126
R30 .0100
R32 .0080

Tolerance of round wires is +/-.0002 in. Dia.

3.1.2 Stranded Wire (followed by gauge, AWG) ex. S26 = 26 AWG stranded wire. Refer to EMS01 for Qty and gauge of strands.

STRANDED WIRE GAUGE DIAMETER (INCHES)
S26 .021
S28 .016
S30 .012
S32 .010

Diameters are rough values. Stranded wires may not always bunch in a round configuration, they may flatten out somewhat during processing. The hole size in mating assemblies should allow for this.

3.1.3 Flat Wire (followed by gauge, AWG) ex. F26 = 26AWG flat wire.

FLAT WIRE GAUGE DIMENSION (INCHES)
F24 .005 X .063
F26 .003 X .062
F28 .003 X .042
F30 .003 X .026
F32 .002 X .025

Tolerance is ¡À .0005 Thickness and ¡À .001 width.
For wire materials and dimensions not listed, consult Elmec.

3.1.4 Selecting Wire Gauge

If a large wire is used with a relatively small pitch, the jumper will required additional adhesive. This makes the part less flexible and more costly. If possible the following guidelines should be followed.

Preferred Wire Gauge vs. Pitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

PITCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIRE GAUGE 

 

.019 to .024

 

.025 to .049

 

.050 to .074

 

.075 to .099

 

.100 to .149

 

.150 to .208

 

R22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

R24, S26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

x

 

R26, F24, F26,
S28

 

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

R28, R30,  
S30, F28, F30, F32

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

S32

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

R32

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

x

 

3.2 Length

The insulation material is Polyimide H film per IPC-FC-232B Class 3 with acrylic adhesive per IPC-FC-233A Class 3. The standard length is .150 inch to 16.500 inch. The standard tolerance are as follows:

LENGTH (INCHES) STANDARD TOLERANCE
6 inches and less  ¡À
.02
greater than 6 inches ¡À
.05

Length is measured from one outside edge of the Polyimide to the other outside edge. Misalignment of the Polyimide is in accordance with section 4.6. Consult Elmec when tighter tolerances or non-standard lengths are required.

3.3 Pitch

The pitch between conductor centers is considered standard provided it is between .019 and .208. Tolerance of conductor pitch is as follows:

CONDUCTOR PITCH
(INCHES)
STANDARD TOLERANCE
(non-accum.)
.019 to .049 ¡À.005 
.050 to .124 ¡À.010 
.125 to .208 ¡À.015

Consult Elmec when non-standard pitch or tighter pitch tolerances are required.

3.4 Conductor Quantity

Standard conductor quantities available are as follows:

CONDUCTOR
PITCH
STD QTY OF
CONDUCTORS
.019 to
.049
1 to 75
.050 to
.074
1 to 70
.075 to
.100
1 to 60
.101 to
.208
1 to 40

For larger conductor counts, consult Elmec.

3.5 Extension

The extension of the lead out of the insulation may be .050 to .200 ¡À .015 inch. For tighter tolerances, longer or shorter extension, or formed leads consult Elmec. Hn cases of misalignment of the Polyimide, the lead extension is measured from the outermost edge of the Polyimide to the end of the lead.

3.6 Lead Finish

T – solder coated with Sn63Pb37

X – Solder coated with Sn99.3Cu0.7 (RoHS compatible, no lead)

B – Bare Copper, no coating. ¡®Bare¡¯ is not available for stranded wires.

For other lead finishes, consult Elmec.

3.7 Lead Stabilizers

For small or fragile leads, Elmec can provide a means of stabilizing leads during shipment and assembly. There may be an additional cost for lead stabilizers.

There are three standard options for lead stabilizers:
N or blank – No lead stabilizer
C – .100 Polyimide carrier strips encapsulating the leads.
F – Full Polyimide on backside of wires in the lead extension area. Unless otherwise specified by the customer, the leads will be exposed on the same side on both ends.

3.8 Flame Retardant Option

A flame retardant option is available which will allow the flexible jumper to meet UL94V0.

There are two options:
blank – Polyimide insulator with standard acrylic adhesive.
R – Polyimide insulator with flame retardant acrylic adhesive.

4.0 Workmanship

The following workmanship is standard for all Elmec flexible jumpers. Additional requirements may be specified by the customer. Elmec Flex jumpers are inspected at 1X magnification. Defects may be classified at magnifications of 30 X maximum

4.1 Lamination

It is preferred that no non-lamination exists between the base adhesive and the cover layer adhesive. Non-lamination is acceptable if it meets the following conditions:

1. The non-laminated area extends less than half of the distance between the traces.

2. There is no evidence of oil or other foreign materials that are causing the non-lamination.

4.2 Foreign Material

Foreign material that has been laminated inside the jumper is allowed if it meets the following conditions:

1. The foreign material has been classified as being non-conductive. It has a non-metallic color such as brown or black. If it is green, blue, silver, or gold in color it will be considered as conductive.

2. It is not visible at 1X magnification.

3. It does not bridge traces.

4.3 Electrical Requirements

Testing of flex jumpers is not done unless required by the customer’s purchase order.

4.4 Dimensional Requirements

4.4.1 Conductor to Edge

Distance from outer edge of conductor to edge of part – .005 inch minimum.

4.4.2 Thickness of Flexible Jumpers

The overall thickness of the flexible jumper measured in the thickest section shall be in the following range:
Maximum thickness = t + .010 inches
where ¡®t¡¯ is the nominal thickness (or diameter) of the bare conductor in inches.

4.5 Solder Coated Leads

On flex Jumpers which have solder coated leads, the following is required:

1. Lead must be shiny in appearance.

2. Solder coverage must be uniform with no solder globs.

3. There shall be no brown or black residue from flux or the solder coating operation.

4. Solder coated leads should be free of flux ( not sticky).

5. De-lamination which results from the solder coating operation is allowed as follows:

wires .016 dia. and larger – .125 inch maximum from the lead/Polyimide interface.

flat wires and wires smaller than .016 dia. – .050 in. max. from the lead/Polyimide interface.

4.6 Misc. Workmanship

1. Misalignment of Top/Bottom Polyimide layers shall be .020 inch maximum.

2. Bent leads – It is preferable that leads exiting the Polyimide be straight. It is allowable for leads to be bent in any direction, a maximum of 50% of the center to center spacing.

3. Damaged Leads:

– Leads that have been creased are unacceptable.

– Broken leads are unacceptable.

– Flat leads that have been twisted are acceptable if they can be easily flattened at the assembly operation.

4. Adhesive Squeeze-out:

The amount of adhesive on the exposed lead shall be less than 25% of the exposed lead length. ex. – a .125 lead may have .031 in. squeeze-out max.