Prototyping LCD with FFC connector without creating PCB?

Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm pitch) 30
pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?

On Tuesday, in article <Dt-dnXOFVbZV2I3cRVn-tQ@comcast.com>
     sirsausage@hotmail.com "John Harlow" wrote:

>Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm pitch) 30
>pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?

If by FFC you mean Flat Foil Connector/Cable, then I doubt there is a ready
source. In my experience every LCD means another different connector.

Whenever I had to evaluate new LCDs, I nearly always found that a good
supplier/distributor of LCDs would be able to provide some form of cable
to go from the particular LCD to open end cable or something different.
I would then make the open end of the cable terminate in a connector to
suit the 40way standard connector on our controllers.

-- 
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> Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm pitch) 30
> pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?

Faced with a similar problem, I bought the socket for the FFC, glued
it down with epoxy to a piece of scrap Veroboard, and soldered
wire-wrap wire to the pins, whereby I brought the signals to a 100 mil
header.

Lewin A.R.W. Edwards wrote:
>> Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm
>> pitch) 30 pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?
>
> Faced with a similar problem, I bought the socket for the FFC, glued
> it down with epoxy to a piece of scrap Veroboard, and soldered
> wire-wrap wire to the pins, whereby I brought the signals to a 100 mil
> header.


I tried something like that; after spending several tedious hours assembling
the whole thing and finding out I had a single short from a solder wicking
between 2 contacts (and can't get to it), I'd had enough.

> >> Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm
> >> pitch) 30 pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?
> >
> > Faced with a similar problem, I bought the socket for the FFC, glued
> > it down with epoxy to a piece of scrap Veroboard, and soldered
> 
> I tried something like that; after spending several tedious hours assembling
> the whole thing and finding out I had a single short from a solder wicking

Several hours on a 30-pin connector?? Something's wrong with this
picture. Try a different technique. Use magnification and tweezers as
you work. It helps if you gently bend alternate pins a few degrees up
and down. Glue down the wire-wrap wires with hot-melt as you get them
soldered, so they don't wiggle..

I was using Hirose's Flip-Lock type connector, the Digi-Key part# for
the 30-pin variant is HFJ30CT-ND.

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 22:11:19 -0400, "John Harlow" <sirsausage@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Does anyone know of a ready source adapters to convert FFC (0.5mm pitch) 30
>pin to (something a little larger) to aid in prototyping?
>

Yes. Itron make a very thin PCB with various ffc pitch patterns, which can be cut down to size. 

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=249506&N=401
may be available via Newark in the US

Thanks, all, for the replies. The LCD rep has a fairly expensive adapter
card which I went ahead and bought.  I figure I'll save time and frustration
using something which already works.