Method for supplying parts to a mounting machine and supply unit and mounting appatatus that make use of the method

摘要

Electronic components used in the manufacture of printed circuit board assemblies are supplied secured to a carrier tape (22) that has pockets formed for the components. The pockets are enclosed by a top cover tape (23) . The combined tape is supplied on a spool (21) and is fed to the assembly machine by passing through a unit with a guide (5) that leads to a tape separating stage (12) and a component removal unit (13). The spool locates in a holder (33) and is easily removed with the end of the tape being spliced to the replacement tape.