This section provides an overview for carrier tapes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 carrier tape manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked carrier tape companies as of November, 2024: 1.KALSTEIN, 2.Keaco, 3.TAIWAN CARRIER TAPE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD..
Table of Contents
Carrier Tape is a tape used for transporting and storing electronic components, semiconductor semiconductor parts, and microchips.
The main materials used are polystyrene resin and other resin-based materials and paper-based materials.
When handling microchips and other extremely small-sized components, semiconductors can be individually packaged on carrier tape, transported to an assembly plant, and then set on a component assembly machine for transport.
Demand for carrier tape is growing rapidly for packaging ultra-small chip-sized components due to the widespread use of mobile terminals and personal computers.
Carrier tape is used to package extremely small chip size components, which are rapidly growing in demand due to the proliferation of mobile terminals and PCs.
Paper products or embossed products are used depending on the size and application of the component to be packaged.
Examples of ultra-small chip size components include integrated circuits (IC), chip resistors, capacitors, coils, transformers, switches, connectors, relays, quartz crystals, LEDs, transistors, and diodes.
Carrier tape can be used to package minute components by changing the pocket shape to match the component.
Vacuum rotary forming enables sharp pocket forming with a small opening R and retention of firm vertical walls. In addition, it is formed with high precision to ensure that inserted parts do not roll around in the pocket.
Ribbed carrier tape provides ribs in the pockets to restrain component movement and prevent lead breakthrough. Also, to prevent device adsorption, a step is provided at the bottom of the pocket to float the device.
Transparent conductive carrier tape has excellent visibility, conductivity, and heat resistance. Being carbon-free, it is a clean product with low dust emission.
In recent years, environmental considerations have led to the development of environmentally friendly products such as recyclable carrier tapes and carrier tapes made from biomass plastics.
Carrier tape may be wound in reel form when packaging components. This is called a carrier tape reel.
Carrier tape reels are used to feed mounters, which are automated parts assembly machines. Carrier tape wound on a reel is an essential part of an automated assembly line because it can supply parts at high speed.
Depending on the size and application of the component, it is necessary to use either a paper product or an embossed product for carrier tape.
The following explains more specific selection methods:
The depth of the pocket used for carrier tape should be selected according to the height of the component. If the component protrudes higher than the pocket, it may be damaged during transportation. Conversely, if the pocket is too deep, the part will sway and may be damaged during transport. Selecting the proper depth will ensure safe transport of the parts.
It is important to select a pocket shape that matches the shape of the part. Ensuring that the part is held securely in the pocket will help protect the part from vibration and shock during transport. Also, depending on the shape of the pocket, it may be easier to remove the parts and set them on the mounter, leading to more efficient assembly work.
Some carrier tapes are required to be conductive. When carrier tape is charged, it attracts dust and dirt. For semiconductor components, dust and dirt can lead to performance degradation. Also, if static electricity builds up on the carrier tape and causes dielectric breakdown, an abnormal current will flow through the IC device, causing the component to fail. When inserting such components that are greatly affected by dust and static electricity, it is necessary to select a conductive carrier tape.
Some carrier tapes must have low dust generation. For example, for precision components such as semiconductor parts and microchips, it is essential that there be no dust generation. If dust is generated, it will adversely affect the function of the component. For this reason, non-carbon transparent conductive carrier tapes, etc. are used.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Advantek, established in 1978 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a manufacturer of precision component packaging systems. The company's products portfolio includes surf tape, cover tape, and packaging reels. Its offerings are integral to the production lines of computers, mobile phones, and LED lighting. Its products protect electronic parts, keep components in place, and ensure secure transport and storage for various parts, from semiconductors to LEDs. The company's footprints span from North America, Asia, to Europe.
Keaco, LLC, founded in 1991 and based in Schertz, Texas, is a manufacturer and supplier of automated packaging solutions. The company specializes in carrier tapes, cover tapes, SMD reels, and component packaging services. It provides turnkey automation solutions for global electronics, medical, retail, and drugstore industries. Its custom automation delivers cost-effective packaging solutions for various products, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items with custom carrier tapes. The company delivers automated packaging solutions with full-pocket inspection and offers warehousing, inventory management, barcoding, and labeling services to cater to customer needs.
Tek Pak, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, is a manufacturer and supplier of thermoformed products for the food, electronics and medical industries. The product portfolio includes APET, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene-made packaging products used in the medical sector for packaging medical devices, wearable technology and retail packaging for drug delivery innovations. The packaging products are produced through capabilities such as Tape + Reel, thermoforming R+D, RFI Shielding and fiber molding. Tek Pak, Inc. is ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and FSSC 22000 certified.
ITW EBA, established in 1970 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of switches, fasteners, dampers, connectors, and IC package solutions. Their products encompass pushbutton switches for equipment control, microswitches for motion detection, dampers regulating airflow, connectors for various applications, and IC package solutions for integrated circuits. As a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), they serve electronics, industrial, and medical sectors and hold ISO 9001:2015, IEC 60947-1, and UL certifications.
TAIWAN CARRIER TAPE (TCTEC), headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan and founded in 1996, is a manufacturer of carrier tape and reel products. The company offers a full range of products, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polypropylene carrier tapes, plastic reels, and polycarbonate sheets. Its products passes through rigorous tests that include PBF, Tensile strength, Aging, ESD and other tests to ensure reliability. TCTEC is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards as well as D&B D-U-N-S. Its precision carrier tape pocket designs provide excellent fit and stability for various components in industries such as semiconductor, LED and passive components.
KALSTEIN was established in 1994 in Paris, France, as a manufacturer and exporter of equipment for laboratories. The company offers various products, including spectrophotometer double beam, double beam UV / VIS spectrophotometer, rotating mixer shaker, roller mixer, and orbital shaker, among others. The equipment is essential for analytical and quality control in pharmaceutical, chemical, and environmental labs, as well as for precise mixing in research and development. It plays a crucial role in microbiology, molecular biology, and life sciences labs, ensuring accurate results in scientific experiments. The company serves various industries, including pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, biotechnology, and research and development.
ERICH ROTHE GMBH & CO. KG is a manufacturer of carrier tapes headquartered in Kitzingen, Germany and founded in 1907. The company's product include thermoforming films, reels, trays and tubes. The products are crafted in diverse shapes, sizes, and materials, utilizing thermoforming, extrusion, and injection molding technologies. Available in PC, PET, PP, PS, and PVC, with antistatic options, these tapes span from 8-200 mm in width and up to 30 mm in depth. The company provides many services, including development and advisory support, design, tool engineering, customization, and logistics. Its products excel in facilitating position-oriented and automated component placement and subsequent processing.
YAC Garter Co., Ltd., established in 1957 and headquartered in Ome-shi, Tokyo, is a manufacturer of electronic component-related devices and carrier tapes. The company offers a range of products, including taping handlers, sorters, measuring instruments, embossed carrier tapes, and taping machine NCT-280TW. It also provides one-stop solutions from design to after-sales for its carrier tapes. Its embossed carrier tape resists tears and punctures, making it a strong packing option. It serves various industries such as electronics, automotive, medical, and aerospace.
Nissho Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of manufacturing and processing technologies headquartered in Osaka, Japan and founded in 1958. The company offers a range of technologies, including press, 3D and 3D trimming processing, laser processing, surface modification, as well as visual inspection and evaluation equipment. Among its in-demand products are processed tapes and film, resins and molded items, waterproofing and soundproofing materials, and metal pressing and surface treatment products. These products provide effective solutions for various sectors such as automotive parts, display, imaging and electronic devices, electronic parts, and medical and healthcare industries.
Reel Service Ltd is a manufacturer of tapes, reels and related products headquartered in Glenrothes, Scotland, UK and founded in 1986. The company provides semiconductor, electro-mechanical and mechanical component finishing services and materials. Its services include standard and non-standard SMD device tape and reel, wafer-level CSP/Die processing, device programming, laser marking, and component preparation. Its material supplies are designed and manufactured in-house, which produces standard and custom carrier tapes with short lead times. The company also provides plastic reel and cover tape, trays, tubes, and moisture protection materials for device packaging. Its services are used by device manufacturers, distributors, contract assembly providers.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | KALSTEIN |
21.5%
|
2 | Keaco |
13.8%
|
3 | TAIWAN CARRIER TAPE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD. |
11.6%
|
4 | Advantek |
10.2%
|
5 | Tek Pak, Inc. |
9.0%
|
6 | ITW Electronic Business Asia Co., Ltd. |
8.7%
|
7 | Reel Service Limited |
7.5%
|
8 | Nissho Corporation |
7.0%
|
9 | ERICH ROTHE GMBH & CO. KG |
5.6%
|
10 | YAC GARTER CO .,LTD |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the carrier tape page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 30.0% |
Taiwan | 2 | 20.0% |
Japan | 2 | 20.0% |
France | 1 | 10.0% |
Germany | 1 | 10.0% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 10.0% |