Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

Abstract: Provided is a cut tape/leaderless feeder finger for use in tape feeders for component mounters. The cut tape/leaderless feeder finger can be attached to existing component tape feeders to allow feeding of component tape without a leader. The cut tape/leaderless feeder finger includes a stripping mechanism that folds and creases the top cover of component carrier tape to expose the component in the tape. The cover tape stays attached to the carrier tape and is folder and creased out of the way of the feeder mechanism and the chip mounter. The component tape passes between guides that retain the component in the tape until it is picked by the component mounter.