Meaning
Continuous strip material provides the pockets and sprocket holes required for automated component feeding in surface mount assembly. Within a high speed pick and place environment, carrier tape protects sensitive electronic parts from physical shock and electrostatic discharge. It is wound onto reels that interface with the machine feeders.
Pocket Geometry
Formed cavities in the strip must match the dimensions of the component to prevent shifting or flipping during transport. If the carrier tape design allows too much clearance, the vision system might fail to find the part center. Precise tolerances ensure the suction nozzle picks the component cleanly every time.
Feeding Stability
Perforations along the edge of the strip allow the machine to index the material forward at set intervals. While paper carrier tape is common for small resistors, embossed plastic tape is used for larger or heavier integrated circuits. The choice of material impacts the maximum speed at which the feeder can operate without snagging.
Waste Recovery
Disposal of the plastic or paper strip and its thin cover film occurs after the machine empties each pocket. Efficient management of used carrier tape prevents blockages in the automated assembly line. High volume plants often use automated choppers to reduce the volume of the discarded material.
