Retaining apparatus for a flexible printed circuit board

A retaining apparatus for a flexible printed circuit board, the flexible printed circuit board comprising a first mounting surface with at least one first electronic component mounted thereon and an opposite second mounting surface with at least one second electronic component mounted thereon, the apparatus comprising:

• a mounting support having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the mounting support to the first surface, the first surface being configured for contacting with the first mounting surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the mounting support having at least one first recess defined in the first surface and at least one through-hole defined through the first surface and the second surface, the at least one first recess being configured for receiving the at least one first electronic component therein, the mounting support having at least one second recess defined in the second surface, the at least one second recess being not in communication with the at least one first recess and being configured for receiving the at least one second electronic component therein, wherein the flexible printed circuit board can be flatly mounted on the mounting support in a manner such that the first surface directly contacts with the first mounting surface and the at least one first electronic component is received in the at least one first recess, or such that the second surface directly contacts with the second mounting surface and the at least one second electronic component is received in the at least one second recess;
• and
• a vacuum device having a vacuum inlet for being brought into contact with the second surface of the mounting support, the at least one through-hole and the at least one second recess being in communication with the vacuum inlet.