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I'm not sure if this is the correct site to post it on, but it seemed closest related to electronics.

I'm diy-ing a laptop and I have a couple of 15-pin FFCs that have to be flexed a little over 100 degrees (not a completely sharp bend though) in one direction when the laptop is opened. I'd like to provide some extra protection to the wires from the elements and whatnot, as it will be a ruggedized type laptop, as well as give the cable some extra rigidity so that it reduces the chance of it being pinched upon closing.

What I'm looking for is a (preferably) rectangular rubber boot protector which is 'collapsible', like the type found between a car door and the frame. Is this/what is the correct term? I can't find much on google except for some (round) cable end stress relievers.

Edit- sorta like this thingy: enter image description here

Galaxy
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    insulating boots.... –  Nov 26 '20 at 22:26
  • @BrianDrummond sorry all I'm getting from that term is insulating boots for spark plugs and footwear... maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? I'm still a beginner in electronics so I'm not sure where to look or what terms to use. – Galaxy Nov 26 '20 at 23:03
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    IMO, unlikely that you will find that for FFCs – Wesley Lee Nov 26 '20 at 23:11
  • @WesleyLee I thought so, but what if I took a "normal" round boot and twisted the FFC to fit in it? Would it be damaged by trying to bend it? Or I think I've seen others split the FFC lengthwise, but only through the center (so that it can still be connected properly), and put the "strips" together in a boot? – Galaxy Nov 26 '20 at 23:33
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    the display cable may be less prone to breakage it it rotates and twists along the cable axis – jsotola Nov 26 '20 at 23:34
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    Have you tried "grommet" as a search term, with "square" and "sleeved"? – ocrdu Nov 26 '20 at 23:37
  • @jsotola If I understand you correctly, that is my plan, so that the flat end of the cable is parallel to the flat face of the display. I just wanted some extra protection. – Galaxy Nov 26 '20 at 23:38
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    They tend to be small scale production : a place I worked had a custom boot made by a local firm, by dipping a mould into liquid rubber. Ask some local manufacturers of the boots you CAN find if they'd be willing to make to your design, or design ote to your spec. –  Nov 26 '20 at 23:41
  • @BrianDrummond I began thinking about that, and actually found a listing with a square boot close to what I needed, but then remembered that I could probably 3d print one with a flexible filament like Ninjaflex. While it looks like DIY seems like the way to go, I still don't know what to call these darn things... :D – Galaxy Nov 26 '20 at 23:47
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    this may help ... https://duckduckgo.com/?q=self+fusing+silicone+electrical+tape&iax=images&ia=images – jsotola Nov 26 '20 at 23:51
  • @Galaxy I was talking about routing the cable along the laptop display hinge axis, so that it does not bend ... it twists instead ... https://www.diypcrepairs.xyz/dell-inspiron-9300/images/4242_77_70-computer-cable-routing.jpg – jsotola Nov 26 '20 at 23:54
  • I would call it a "strain relief" gland/boot – mhaselup Nov 27 '20 at 00:51
  • @mhaselup that's that I would think, but it only gives me the one-ended grommets on the ends of power cords – Galaxy Nov 27 '20 at 01:08

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