Thx for the feedback PSE,
On the board there is actually one other ZIF type connection that the hardware guys wanted to switch to this connector type that we are having problems with in quality! The problem with that type of connector is (from what I understand) price and the extra assembly...
The problem is not ergonomics. In some cases the "small woman" inserts the cable with an angle so she breaks it.
The cable is not round but flat like a bus-cable with 14 copper wires next to each other (width= 15 mm, thickness= 0.3 mm).
So yeah, pliers are really great for this job but they...
There is a problem in our assembly line where operators use pliers to fasten a flex cable into a contact on a PCB. The operators sometimes bend the cable when assembling it, thus breaking off the copper wires.
Now I know this has to be a common problem for any company where there is a PCB...