Abstract: An assembly for processing paper tape for data processing and communication applications. The punch and reader are in a common housing which includes a self contained chad box. The assembly has a substantially flat bottom surface thus permitting the assembly to be mounted on a table. The entire operating mechanism is arranged such that it is mechanically isolated from the housing.The punch and reader assemblies utilize identical paper drive assemblies which are mechanically linked by a rigid bar. The one drive assembly is driven from an eccentric which in turn is driven by a flexible belt coupled to a motor pulley.