[solderparty] just released flexypins (twitter, alternative view) – a flexible clip that allows you to connect modules with cellular pins. With this clip, you can quickly connect and disconnect any honeycomb module and replace them without welding when pre flashing the module before prototyping, testing or assembly. It is reported that they are gold-plated. A package of about 100 euros will cost you 6 euros, excluding freight.
Of course, this is basically “exquisite metal wire”. It has a special shape and is plated with gold. It is hoped to be made of sufficiently elastic materials. It is not easy to break after bending several times. We’ve seen this concept used in prototyping before. Random wire segments do quite well in maintaining connections, but these segments bring it closer to production level. This also makes us wonder – how difficult is it to solder 30-40 of them into the circuit? Are they sufficiently aligned with the given footprints, or must they be held at a specific angle with tweezers when welding them? Of course, time will prove everything.
Do not expect to use them in conventional circuits because they take up a lot of space. However, for those of us in prototyping and manufacturing, this is another tool in our arsenal, and we have seen some interesting uses of these tools. They can also be very useful for experimenting with the firmware of dedicated cellular modules, allowing you to reuse the same development board between different modules when adjusting content. Moreover, if you, like us, have a drawer with a dead nodemcu esp32 board in it, a breakthrough to test the elasticity of the esp32 module may come in handy.
You may be able to make such a pin yourself – we have reviewed this principle before, and there is a beautiful 3D printing fixture to match! Flickering and testing the honeycomb module before welding seems to be a popular scheme. Only for the previously mentioned esp8266, we have reviewed a considerable number of testing and flickering fixtures – look at this 3D printable fixture, or the pogopin fixture turned by the WEMOS board!