Abstract
A tape feeder is an important feeding device to supply micro-chips such as 1005 and 0603 components to PCB in SMT process. Traditionally, tape feeding methods using sprocket wheel mechanism has been used for the pickup system of chip-mounters. However, there is growing needs for new feeding mechanism with high accuracy and confidence as electric components are getting much smaller. Thus, recently, a tape feeder using cam-slider mechanism is developed to meet such requirements. The major advantages of developed system are; significantly reduced indexing and backlash errors, slim and compact design, and improved repetitive capacity compared to existing system. In this paper, the performance evaluation criteria for the developed tape feeder are suggested. Stability against induced vibration, positioning accuracy, cycle time, durability and supply error rate are estimated using developed self testers. As a result, the excellence of developed tape feeding mechanism is validated using the effective rating methods.
