Carrier tape is a strip-like packaging material widely utilized in the electronics manufacturing industry, primarily for the assembly of electronic components. Carrier tapes feature a specific thickness and are characterized by a series of cavities (also known as "pockets")-spaced at equal intervals along their length-designed to house electronic components, as well as sprocket holes used for indexing and positioning. The pockets serve to hold and store the electronic components, while the sprocket holes facilitate precise positioning within automated assembly equipment. Carrier tapes are used in conjunction with cover tapes (or sealing tapes); by sealing the cover tape over the carrier tape, a closed packaging structure is formed, effectively protecting the electronic components from contamination and damage during transit.
Based on their material composition, carrier tapes can be broadly classified into plastic carrier tapes and paper carrier tapes. Common materials for plastic carrier tapes include ABS resin and HIPS resin; polycarbonate carrier tapes are particularly well-suited for precision components due to their robust durability and low shrinkage rate. The dimensions and tolerances of carrier tapes must adhere to industry standards such as ANSI/EIA-481, IEC 60286-3, and JIS C 0806. Driven by the miniaturization of electronic components, carrier tape technology has evolved toward greater precision, now featuring specifications as narrow as 4 mm; with tolerance requirements becoming increasingly stringent, carrier tapes can now achieve tolerances as tight as 0.02 mm. Furthermore, QR code carrier tape technology is being applied to the traceability of semiconductor chips, enabling process-level tracking throughout the manufacturing workflow by printing QR codes directly onto the carrier tape. Other advanced technologies-such as flexible carrier tape packaging machines utilizing 3D vision inspection systems-are also currently under development.
