V-Tek Tape and Reel Machines...

Hey Ya'll!

Have any of you ever worked with one of V-Tek's "Economax" tape and reel machines? The biggest thing I'm curious about is the type of cover tape that these machines use. It's something they call P.S.A. (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive)cover tape. I've probably have used it in on my pick and place machines in the past on some taped components, but wasn't aware of it.

The cover tape is a little more expensive than heat sealed tape, but there's a few good points about it that I know of: 1. I know with heat sealed tape, if your reel sits on a hot shelf in the stockroom for a length of time, the peel force will increase.

And 2.; I was told by V-tek that say if you discover that you accidently have the polarity backwards on a few components in the middle of the reel, you can peel up that section where the components are, put them back into the pockets the right way, and then use your thumbnail to re-seal the tape back down.

The model that I'm looking at is one they call the "3 in 1 Economax". It's basically a manual type of taping machine. You set the tape speed at whatever speed you can keep up with, and feed the components into the pockets manually. They say you can do anywhere from 500-4000 components and hour depending on the type of component and how good your operator is at doing this.

The 3 in 1 also is capable of being used as a reel counter, and has a peel force tester incorporated into it. The other model that I'm looking at is what they call their "ComPak Taper". Basically the same machine as the 3 in 1, but without the peel force tester and no counter. The ballpark prices quoted to me were $7,000 for the "ComPak", and the "3 in 1" was $13,000. Not too shabby, if they work good.

I've worked with both a Systemation ST-50 and ST-60 which are both heat-seal types of tape and reelers...and I know that you're gonna pay a heck of lot more for a Systemation than the V-Tek machines. But the Systemation machines are also quite set-up intensive. From experience, I know a bad set-up can cause you some major headaches...

I just wanna know if any of you have ever used V-Tek, and also find out about this P.S.A. cover tape.

Thanks guys!

-Steve Gregory-

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| Hey Ya'll! | | Have any of you ever worked with one of V-Tek's "Economax" tape and reel machines? The biggest thing I'm curious about is the type of cover tape that these machines use. It's something they call P.S.A. (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive)cover tape. I've probably have used it in on my pick and place machines in the past on some taped components, but wasn't aware of it. | | The cover tape is a little more expensive than heat sealed tape, but there's a few good points about it that I know of: 1. I know with heat sealed tape, if your reel sits on a hot shelf in the stockroom for a length of time, the peel force will increase. | | And 2.; I was told by V-tek that say if you discover that you accidently have the polarity backwards on a few components in the middle of the reel, you can peel up that section where the components are, put them back into the pockets the right way, and then use your thumbnail to re-seal the tape back down. | | The model that I'm looking at is one they call the "3 in 1 Economax". It's basically a manual type of taping machine. You set the tape speed at whatever speed you can keep up with, and feed the components into the pockets manually. They say you can do anywhere from 500-4000 components and hour depending on the type of component and how good your operator is at doing this. | | The 3 in 1 also is capable of being used as a reel counter, and has a peel force tester incorporated into it. The other model that I'm looking at is what they call their "ComPak Taper". Basically the same machine as the 3 in 1, but without the peel force tester and no counter. The ballpark prices quoted to me were $7,000 for the "ComPak", and the "3 in 1" was $13,000. Not too shabby, if they work good. | | I've worked with both a Systemation ST-50 and ST-60 which are both heat-seal types of tape and reelers...and I know that you're gonna pay a heck of lot more for a Systemation than the V-Tek machines. But the Systemation machines are also quite set-up intensive. From experience, I know a bad set-up can cause you some major headaches... | | I just wanna know if any of you have ever used V-Tek, and also find out about this P.S.A. cover tape. | | Thanks guys! | | -Steve Gregory- | Hi Steve, You better look for a V-Tek machine with a heat sealer. 1. P.S.A. tape is difficult to get down in a straight line. 2. P.S.A. tape may foul your component feeders. The only mentioned advantage of "tape repair" is just a sales pitch. While lifting the cover tape you will slightly cut the edge of the cover tape. As a result the tape will brake in the feeder under the tension of the cover tape peeler. If you really find a component reverse it is a better idea to slit the cover tape lenghthwise, bend the tape to open the slit and turn the component. With a manual taping machine you'll also experience some increase in coplanarity issues in your taped IC's. Stefan

reply »

| Hey Ya'll! | | Have any of you ever worked with one of V-Tek's "Economax" tape and reel machines? The biggest thing I'm curious about is the type of cover tape that these machines use. It's something they call P.S.A. (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive)cover tape. I've probably have used it in on my pick and place machines in the past on some taped components, but wasn't aware of it.

| | The cover tape is a little more expensive than heat sealed tape, but there's a few good points about it that I know of: 1. I know with heat sealed tape, if your reel sits on a hot shelf in the stockroom for a length of time, the peel force will increase. | | And 2.; I was told by V-tek that say if you discover that you accidently have the polarity backwards on a few components in the middle of the reel, you can peel up that section where the components are, put them back into the pockets the right way, and then use your thumbnail to re-seal the tape back down. | | The model that I'm looking at is one they call the "3 in 1 Economax". It's basically a manual type of taping machine. You set the tape speed at whatever speed you can keep up with, and feed the components into the pockets manually. They say you can do anywhere from 500-4000 components and hour depending on the type of component and how good your operator is at doing this. | | The 3 in 1 also is capable of being used as a reel counter, and has a peel force tester incorporated into it. The other model that I'm looking at is what they call their "ComPak Taper". Basically the same machine as the 3 in 1, but without the peel force tester and no counter. The ballpark prices quoted to me were $7,000 for the "ComPak", and the "3 in 1" was $13,000. Not too shabby, if they work good. | | I've worked with both a Systemation ST-50 and ST-60 which are both heat-seal types of tape and reelers...and I know that you're gonna pay a heck of lot more for a Systemation than the V-Tek machines. But the Systemation machines are also quite set-up intensive. From experience, I know a bad set-up can cause you some major headaches... | | I just wanna know if any of you have ever used V-Tek, and also find out about this P.S.A. cover tape. | | Thanks guys! | | -Steve Gregory- | We have been using V-Tek manual taping machines for at least 5 years. We started using the PSA cover tape a couple of years ago and have had minimal problems. I remember the Heat Seal type was always causing us problems regarding the reliability of the seal. The Heat Seal mechanisms were higher maintenance than the PSA mechanisms. The Heat Seal peel test results were highly variable, this is not the case with the PSA Cover Tape.

Another point is noise. I found the "clack-clack" of the Heat sealers annoying. The PSA type sealers don't even come close to the noise level of the Heat Sealers.

I feel the PSA type Cover Tape is cost effective for us.

Haim

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