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Reel splicing

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#72385

Reel splicing | 9 July, 2014

Is there anyone actively splicing reels at the pick and place machines with success ?

What type of splice tool are you using ?

Any input regarding splicing appreciated.

Regards, Sr.

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#72404

Reel splicing | 10 July, 2014

I've seen both:

Different operator using same tool = different splicing Same operator using different tool = Depends on the operator

I remember some years ago I did an experiment with my 'splicers': their only job was to splice the tape, and then another operator make the repairs on the broken tapes, then I ask them to repair their own splices if they got broken... Splicing errors almost disappear! So, for me it depends on the operator skills and attention to detail, not much difference on the tools they use.

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#72413

Reel splicing | 14 July, 2014

We used to use the Tapesplicer tool available from http://www.tapesplice.com (Sierra Electronics), in a high mix, low volume environment with MyData's (older feeders).

Short review: It worked. Longer review: First, technique is everything. Splicing strips together is viable, but, if it's done just a little bit sloppy, it will result in jamming in the feeders, lost run time. But, in a short run environment, it's definitely better than hand placing 50 pieces in 5 10 piece strips from Digikey.

Secondly, MRO can get costly, and repetitive. I stopped buying tape extenders after about a year and a half. A big kit can kill your supplies rapidly, and I found it just as efficient to keep stock of some scrape tape to attach to strips/poorly cut reels to extend the take-up side.

Third, technique is essential!

If I were in a long run environment, I probably wouldn't bother splicing two reels together...anecdotally, I believe it to be just as efficient to load two feeders with full reels, and swap them out when the part runs out on the machine (especially if you have a machine that doesn't stop running to install one part).

I recently checked out Samsung feeders that do not require splicing...you load one strip onto the pick area, and load the second strip behind it (actually, on top of it...overlapping. There's a mechanism in the feeder that will move the second strip into position on the feeder sprockets when it senses the overlapped strip dropping into position. You do have to cut the strips on the right holes for it to work optimally, and it currently only supports 8mm parts; but, I thought it was incredibly cool (and surprised that no one else had come up with this idea yet).

cheers, ..rob

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#72425

Reel splicing | 16 July, 2014

We're an OEM Tier 1 Automotive Supplier, (Yes, one still exists in the US), with two SMT Lines and we splice all day, every day.

First, let me say, I 100% agree with Rob's comments above. Technique is everything. We use ASM SiPlace, (formerly Siemens), and we use their Splice tool with Brass Clips. We also use Steier Double Splice Tapes.

Some operators prefer the brass clips and single tapes, others prefer to use the Double Splice Tapes. I've used both. My personal preferance is the Brass Clip, with a Double Splice Tape, but then I'm an engineer, and my operators splice parts WAAAAY more often than I do.

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#72543

Reel splicing | 7 August, 2014

We splice all day. We use sierra splice tool and their yellow splice. Technique that I found works very well is to peel back the cover tape of new reel over two empty slots (our machine detects when splice occurs and allows two empty slots without registering as an error) allowing the peel process to already begin instead of directly after the end of the exhausted reel. Still see some jams, but nowhere near the amount when you splice directly to old reel without peeling back the cover tape.

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