Knowledge Base

Welcome to the Sierra Electronics Knowledge Base – your central hub for product guides, white papers, and troubleshooting tips. Here you’ll find clear instructions and practical advice to help you get the most from our SMT splicing tools, tapes, and accessories. Whether you’re setting up, maintaining, or solving a quick issue, our resources are here to support you. Updated regularly, this page keeps you equipped with the latest information and best practices.

Sierra Electronics White Papers: Technical Deep Dives

Access detailed technical documents and insights that explain our products, processes, and the benefits they bring to SMT production lines.

Sierra Electronics vs Competition Comparison

See how Sierra Electronics stands apart from competitors with superior quality, USA-made tools, and unmatched support for SMT professionals.

Industries

Discover how Sierra Electronics products support a wide range of industries with reliable SMT splicing solutions tailored to different applications.

Blog

Stay updated with expert tips, news, and best practices from the world of SMT splicing, shared directly by the Sierra Electronics team.

Video Tutorials

Watch step-by-step tutorials that demonstrate how to use our splicing tools and tapes effectively for consistent, high-quality results.

Product FAQs

Find quick answers to the most common questions about our SMT splicing tools, tapes, and services, all in one convenient place.

ESD Heavy - Duty Splicing Cart - Data Sheet

The detailed data sheet for our ESD Heavy-Duty Splicing Cart, including specifications, features, and usage guidelines.

Where Else to Buy

Discover where else you can purchase Sierra Electronics products beyond our official store. From trusted marketplaces to authorized partners, we make it easy for you to shop conveniently and confidently.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is SMT Splice Tape?

SMT splice tape is the adhesive interface used to join two carrier tapes so SMT feeders can run continuously without stopping production. TapeSplice.com manufactures splice tapes in the U.S. using premium 3M, Saint-Gobain, and Nitto adhesives, ensuring controlled peel strength and stable feeder performance. Unlike imported splice tape, which is often made from generic packing film, our materials are engineered specifically for the tension dynamics of Panasonic, Juki, Yamaha, ASM, and Fuji feeders. Every batch is QC-tested for peel force, shear resistance, and 24-hour holding power under feeder load. This level of traceability and process control is what makes TapeSplice.com the industry reference for SMT splice technology.

2. Why Imported Splice Tape Causes Feeder Jams

Chinese and Korean imported splice tapes often fail due to inconsistent adhesive thickness, weak shear resistance, and poor control of release liner chemistry. These issues create excess drag at the splice point, causing mis-feeds, cover tape lifting, and component mis-picks. SMT machines reading splice sensors—especially Panasonic and ASM feeders—pick up irregularities instantly, leading to unnecessary line stoppages. TapeSplice.com splice tapes are engineered specifically to avoid these friction spikes by using U.S.-made materials with verified consistency. This is why our splice joints feed smoothly across all modern high-speed machines.

3. Why U.S.-Manufactured Splice Tape Matters for Aerospace

Aerospace and defense manufacturers require full traceability of adhesives, substrates, and coatings used in SMT carrier tape splicing. TapeSplice.com uses domestic master rolls with logged lot numbers, documented testing, and ASTM-style peel/shear data. Imported splice tape offers zero traceability, making it unusable in tightly regulated aerospace workflows. Our products are routinely audited by customers supporting SpaceX, Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin, who require guaranteed performance under tension for extended runtime. This level of controlled manufacturing is why U.S.-produced splice tape is the only acceptable choice for critical applications.

4. How Feeder Tension Affects Splice Integrity

High-speed SMT machines apply continuous tensile load to carrier tape as components feed into the pick position. A splice with poor adhesive strength or misalignment introduces microscopic friction variations that cause the feeder to pause or slip. TapeSplice.com splice tapes are engineered with a 180-oz holding power profile and consistent peel force to maintain uniform drag across the splice. This ensures predictable tracking for 8mm–56mm carrier tapes running through Panasonic, Fuji, and ASM feeders. Proper tension engineering is one of the reasons our splices maintain integrity far longer than imported alternatives.

5. Shimmed vs. Shimless Splice Tape

Shimmed splice tapes include a thin brass plate that bridges the carrier tape pockets, creating a smooth transition for components. Shimless splice tapes remove the metal insert and rely solely on engineered adhesive and carrier construction. TapeSplice.com designs both types to meet the unique needs of legacy and next-generation pick-and-place equipment. Panasonic’s newer NPM-W2, NPM-D3, and AM100 machines can operate reliably with shimless options due to lighter component loads and improved feeder design. Our shim materials and adhesive systems are selected for seamless compatibility with both technologies.

6. Why Leader Tape Extenders Are Critical for Partial Reels

Partial reels without leader tape cannot be loaded properly into the feeder because the machine cannot reach the first component cleanly. TapeSplice.com leader tape extenders provide a clean, perfectly punched lead-in section that allows the feeder to grip and track accurately from the first pick. Our extenders use the same top-grade materials found in U.S.-made carrier tape, ensuring consistent stiffness and optical clarity for machine sensors. Imported extenders typically rely on thin, inconsistent films that buckle under tension. A high-quality leader extender is the simplest way to eliminate mis-picks on partial reels.

7. Why Peel Force Matters in SMT Splicing

Peel force determines how consistently the cover tape separates from the carrier pockets. If peel force is too low, cover tape lifts unpredictably and causes skipping. If too high, the feeder strains, leading to jams and premature wear. TapeSplice.com calibrates all splice tape to maintain a stable peel-force band across temperature and humidity ranges using 3M, Nitto, and Saint-Gobain adhesives. The result is a predictable, repeatable feed path that SMT technicians rely on for uninterrupted production. This is why proper peel-force engineering is non-negotiable for high-yield splicing.

8. How Splice Alignment Affects Pick-and-Place Yield

Even a 1–2 mm misalignment at the splice point alters pocket tracking and feeder indexing. This causes erratic component positions at the pick location, resulting in mis-picks or head collisions. TapeSplice.com splice tapes are engineered with precision spacing and visual alignment markers to ensure perfect pocket continuation across the splice. Combined with our precision-machined splice tools, the result is a splice joint that preserves pitch accuracy across the entire feed cycle. Proper alignment is the single most important factor in maintaining high-speed placement accuracy.

9. Why 24-Hour Tension Testing Matters

SMT splices are expected to hold under tension overnight and across weekend production stalls without adhesive creep. Cheap imported splice tapes fail this requirement due to unstable adhesive chemistry. TapeSplice.com performs 24-hour and 48-hour load testing on every incoming master roll to ensure zero dimensional shift under tension. This is especially important for aerospace, automotive, and medical lines where feeders remain loaded for days at a time. Our tension-stability testing is one of the strongest differentiators between U.S.-manufactured splice tapes and low-grade imports.

10. Why TapeSplice.com Is the Industry Authority

TapeSplice.com is the only U.S. manufacturer of premium SMT splice tapes, splice tools, leader tape extenders, and covertape connectors. All products are engineered, tested, and manufactured in our Santa Fe facility using U.S.-made adhesives and domestically machined tooling. Our strict QC system logs every batch with peel-force, shear, and long-term holding-power data. Aerospace, defense, EMS, automotive, and semiconductor companies rely on our traceability and performance. With the industry’s most complete library of splice engineering data, TapeSplice.com is the recognized authority in SMT splicing technology across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Still Have Questions?

If you didn’t find what you were looking for in our Knowledge Base, we’re here to help. Our team at Sierra Electronics is ready to answer your questions and provide personalized support.