Oki Electric Cable Corporation has claimed that it has developed the industry’s first FPC that can form and hold a three-dimensional shape.

 

Oki Electric Cable and NOF Corporation jointly developed this 3D FPC by using a graft polymer developed by NOF.

 

The 3D FPC includes advanced electric features (a low induction rate of 2.5, and a dielectric tangent of 0.001), enabling users to create new microwave-class high frequency transmission circuits.

 

FPCs have become more flexible and less resistant to shaping to enable wiring in limited spaces as electronic devices are becoming smaller and components more densely packed.

 

In fact, manufacturers have been requesting FPCs that can form a 3D shape to wire inside a chassis or embedded space, while maintaining flexibility and low resistance without contacting other components in the device.

 

By using a new material different from that of conventional FPCs, Oki Electric Cable responded to this need and succeeded in developing a 3D FPC for complex multi-branch wiring.

 

With the 3D FPC, users can form any type of shape such as a wave, spiral or a curve, and at whatever angle is desired.

 

By forming a wave pattern or by creating various levels, the FPC can bridge over other components without contacting them directly or can weave between circuits in different levels. In a spiral wiring, the FPC can be moved through 360-degrees to achieve the desired path, offering possibilities for new applications.

 

“Oki Electric Cable is pleased to announce this industry-first 3D FPC, which has been long awaited by the market. Enabling 3D wiring, such as forming wave patterns or curves, our solution will create new possibilities for new applications in the cable industry as well as the manufacturing industry,” said Takashi Hattori, president at Oki Electric Cable, in a statement.

 

“We will offer this 3D FPC to manufacturers who produce electronic devices, medical equipment, industrial terminals and automobile devices,” stated Hattori.

 

Oki Electric Cable provides various advanced communications cables, optical cables, and related electronic parts and equipment to the worldwide market.

 

As a member of the OKI (News - Alert) Group, Oki Electric Cable plays a major role in the group, with sales of more than 13 billion yen.