Carrier Tape, as a core component of automated electronic component packaging, comes in various complex specifications and types. To help users quickly understand the product system, we typically classify carrier tapes from the following five dimensions:

1. Classification by Width

Carrier tape width is determined by the size of the electronic components it carries and is a key parameter identified by SMT placement machines:

• Common Widths: 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 24mm, 32mm, 44mm, 56mm, etc.
• Trends: With the miniaturization of chips, carrier tapes are also developing towards precision, with 4mm ultra-narrow tapes already available on the market.

2. Classification by Function (ESD)

To protect components from electrostatic damage, the anti-static level of carrier tape is a mandatory requirement:

• Insulative: Surface resistance typically higher than 10^12 Ω.
• Static Dissipative: Surface resistance between 10^9 and 10^11 Ω, capable of slowly dissipating static electricity.
• Conductive: Surface resistance below 10^7 Ω, capable of rapidly conducting static electricity away.

3. Classification by Pocket Formation

These are the two basic manufacturing processes for carrier tapes:

Embossed Carrier Tape

Pockets are formed by stretching the tape material locally using a mold imprint or vacuum forming method to create a recessed shape.

• Features: Capable of forming pockets of varying sizes and depths, highly adaptable. This is the current market mainstream.

Punched Carrier Tape

Through-hole or semi-through-hole pockets are formed by die punching.

• Features: The thickness of the carried component is limited by the tape thickness itself; usually used only for packaging smaller components, such as paper carrier tapes.

4. Classification by Material

Material determines the physical properties, anti-static stability, and cost of the carrier tape:

• Plastic (Polymer): The mainstream for embossed tapes. Includes PC (Polycarbonate), PS (Polystyrene), and ABS. PC offers high strength and transparency; PS has relatively lower strength but lower cost, often composited with ABS.
• Paper/Composite: The main material for punched tapes, mostly made of paper or PE composite materials.

5. Classification by Forming Method

Operating modes of carrier tape production equipment:

• Intermittent (Flatbed Molding): The mold moves up and down, suitable for producing large-sized pockets.
• Continuous (Rotary Forming): Material is continuously formed in rollers, offering better dimensional stability and higher product precision.