CAPLINQ Offers Solder Tape & Reel Packaging Solutions
CAPLINQ offers a wide range of solder spheres and pre-forms on tape and reel for different applications. We can pack all kinds of solder sphere alloys in various diameters in 7" and 13" reels.
When using solder spheres in integrated circuits (IC’s) the production process can require a very precise amount and placement of the solder material. IC’s are made in high volumes through an automated process and the different components that are part of the IC are placed using a pick and place machine. Examples of packaging techniques that use solder spheres in the production of IC’s are ball grid arrays (PBGA, CBGA, TBGA and µBGA) and flip chips (C4).
For custom orders, contact us. Refer to our Product Selector Guide to see our current list of offerings.
How should we initiate the cover tape for tape and reel?
We typically utilize a 3M universal cover tape. This cover tape is the best on the market and provides excellent peel back force. However the cover tape must be initiated where the center portion of the cover tape rips and leaves the glued edges on the carrier tape. If the cover tape is not initiated properly the whole cover tape will be lifted.
Initiation procedure:
The tape is specifically designed to initiate the medial (middle) portion from sealed carrier, instead of conventional methods where the entire width is removed.
When properly aligned:
- Take a pair of scissors and cut the leader (leading edge of package) at an angle of (45°) degrees.
- Using tweezers, position in center of pocket at leader, lift middle portion and peel back at 180 degree angle.
- Cover tape will follow path until it reaches the “design feature” where only the middle portion will initiate and follow scored section (notice feature where peel initiates ~ 1 inch increments).
- Fold the exposed adhesive section over creating a tab (if desired) Note: This step prevents adhesive transfer to feeders
Caution: Peel initiation is achieved in only one direction. Attempting to initiate the peel from the opposite direction will not work. The entire width will be removed, exposing
You can find the full universal instructions for the cover tape application procedure, here
How many spheres can fit on a given reel?
Generally, tape and reel can fit a specific amount of solder spheres depending on the reel diameter.
- 7" reels can take approximately 10,000 - 15,000 spheres, depending on the solder ball diameter
- 13" reels can fit approximately 20,000 - 40,000 spheres, depending on the solder sphere diameter.
This is not an absolute truth but it is a very common starting point for the popular diameters. Of course if the production requires a specific amount of spheres per reel we can accommodate it.
We have been developing a process that maximizes the UPH and quality of the reels and removes any possibility of a human error. Our computer overlords have taken over our jerbs already and allowed us to increase our efficiency and packaging capability. This is done by automated inspection and quality assurance that utilizes Xray and machine vision to make sure that our reels are default free. On top of that, our ESD protected environment ensures that we can take up any sort of tape and reel packaging challenge.
Packaging solutions for other components
While we are specializing in solder spheres, we are not limited to them. We can also pack other components in tape and reel. Some examples are:
- Capacitors
- Resistors
- LEDs
- Washers
- Solder Preforms regardless of size
- Standoffs
- Springs
- Spacers
- SOT, 3,4,5,6 Leads
Do you need to package something not in the list? Contact us for a quick consultation and to see what we can do for you.
