1.00 mm Pitch ZIF Connector for Signal-Level Flex Circuits
The SFW20S-2STME1LF is a 20-position, vertical SMT FFC/FPC connector on a 0.039" (1.00 mm) pitch. This avoids damaging the thin copper traces on the flex circuit during assembly.
Vertical SMT Mount — Board-Edge or Mid-Board Placement
This connector mounts vertically (perpendicular to the PCB) via surface-mount solder pads. The vertical orientation works well for board-edge cable exits or mid-board stacking where the FPC routes away from the board plane. The connector accepts FPC cables 0.33 mm thick with contacts on one side (vertical, 1-sided). The ZIF actuator is made from glass-filled thermoplastic, same as the housing, and is coloured brown — a visual cue for the actuator position during assembly.
Comparing the SFW20S Siblings — Position Count and Cable Thickness
The closest peer is the SFW20S-2STE1LF: identical pitch (1.00 mm), height (5.30 mm), 20 positions, tin contacts, and ZIF actuation. The only difference is the packaging — the -2STE1LF adds a Digi-Reel® option. Both are Active and functionally interchangeable for the same footprint. The SFW20S-2STE9LF also matches the 20-position, 1.00 mm pitch, but adds a slide lock feature and accepts a wider FPC thickness range (0.30 mm and 0.33 mm). The housing is black instead of brown. If the application needs the slide lock or dual-thickness support, the -2STE9LF is the better fit. The SFW24S-2STME1LF is a 24-position version of the same connector — same pitch, height, current rating, and tin contacts. If the BOM calls for 24 circuits instead of 20, this is the direct position-count step up.