Sierra Electronics Covertape Connectors
American-Made, High-Strength Cover Tape Joiners for SMT Carrier Tape Splicing
Sierra Electronics Covertape Connectors are engineered for high-reliability SMT production and are available in all standard carrier-tape widths: 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 24 mm, 32 mm, 44 mm, and 56 mm. These connectors are designed specifically to join the top cover tapes after a brass splice shim has mechanically joined the two carrier tapes below.
Unlike imported connectors made with inconsistent adhesives, Sierra Electronics uses USA-grade adhesive films sourced from DuPont and the same premium adhesives used in 3M 8429 constructions. This ensures stable peel-back behavior, consistent tack, and long-term bonding reliability on every splice.
The connectors are available in yellow, red, blue, and black, providing easy visual identification on the line and instant confirmation of splice location.
Covertape Connectors Key Features
20-Splice Brass Shim Cartridge
High-capacity frame lets operators run 20 consecutive splices before reloading, reducing downtime on busy SMT lines.
Precision-Cut Using Chicago Cutting Die Tooling
- True EIA-481 alignment
- Accurate to within 0.001–0.003 in
- Perfect 3.5 mm center pitch
- Uniform tooth profile
- Zero burrs, zero drift
- Engineered specifically for high-speed feeders
Made in the USA – No Copper Imports
Chinese copper shims deform and crush under pressure, causing feeder jams. Sierra Electronics’ brass shims maintain strength, tooth shape, and splice flatness under all feeder loads.
Compatible With All Major Pick-and-Place Platforms
Runs perfectly on: Fuji, Panasonic, Siemens / ASM, Mycronic, Yamaha, Juki, Samsung, Sanyo, Hitachi, Assembleon, Philips
Built for Sierra’s Stapler-Style / Semi-Automatic Splicing Tool
- Machined in Santa Fe by Los Alamos precision machinists
- Hardened carbide cutter
- Tight-tolerance alignment pins
- One-year warranty
- Zero equivalent Chinese alternative
How the Splice Shim Cartridge Works
A fast, repeatable, semi-automatic splice cycle engineered for production environments.
- Pull back the spring-loaded mechanism on the splicer to apply constant forward pressure.
- Insert the shim cartridge into the rear guide slot.
- Feed forward until the first shim rises against the alignment pins.
- Release the spring—this keeps the cartridge advancing automatically after each splice.
- Place the leading carrier tape on half the alignment pins, aligned on half of the brass shim.
- Place the trailing carrier tape on the other half of the pins.
- Engage the hold-downs to lock both tape segments in place.
- Squeeze the splicer fully; the carbide cutter shears the shim from the frame and embeds the brass teeth into both tapes.
- Remove the spliced carrier tape—flat and centered.
- Apply cover tape connector to seal the splice and ensure proper peel-back in the feeder.
Feeds directly into high-speed feeders with perfect peel, centered splice geometry, and no lifting or snagging.
Why U.S. Brass + Chicago Cutting Die Tooling Matters
| Category |
Chinese Copper Shims |
Sierra + Chicago Cutting Die Brass Shims |
| Material |
Soft copper, inconsistent hardness |
Industrial brass engineered for mechanical splicing |
| Accuracy |
±0.15–0.25 mm wander |
±0.001–0.003 in precision |
| Tooth Geometry |
Deforms, crushes, causes drift |
Perfect teeth, consistent bite, no drift |
| Feeder Behavior |
High jam rates, mis-picks |
Smooth feeding, zero jamming |
| Component Sizes |
Fails on 0201/01005 |
Optimized for 0201/01005 |
| Lifecycle |
Short-lived, burrs quickly |
Long-run accuracy using hardened U.S. dies |
| Support |
No warranty, no service |
One-year warranty, USA-made |
Why This Matters for Real SMT Production
A poorly made copper shim can:
- jam a $200k placement machine
- break a feeder
- ruin a reel of components
- halt a production line for 30–60 minutes
A precision U.S.-made brass shim delivers:
- repeatable splice strength
- perfect pick-up alignment
- zero drift at high speed
- lower total cost of ownership
- maximum production uptime
Order Today
Sierra Electronics manufactures and stocks all SMT splice products for same-day shipping.
Bulk pricing, OEM programs, and distributor support are available.
SMD Covertape Connectors – Singles FAQs
1. What exactly are SMD Covertape Connectors?
SMD Covertape Connectors are single-use adhesive connectors employed for joining two pieces of carrier tape together in surface-mount device assembly procedures. They’re particularly designed for effective, reliable splicing without tools or advanced setups.
2. Will SMD Covertape Connectors work with any type of carrier tape?
Yes, these connectors are designed to work with both paper and plastic cover tapes, across a range of standard tape widths like 8mm, 12mm, and 24mm. Whatever your tape format, you’re covered.
3. How easy is it to apply these connectors?
Extremely easy. Just peel off the adhesive backing, place the connector on the splicing location, and click it into place. No special tools are required, and the adhesive creates a solid, reliable bond with minimal effort.
4. Can I use these connectors for high-speed production lines?
Absolutely. These connectors are designed for fast-paced environments. The quick application process and secure adhesive make them ideal for high-speed SMD assembly lines where efficiency is key.
5. How many connectors come in a pack?
The connectors are sold individually, allowing you to purchase exactly what you need, without extra waste or overstock. If you need more, you can always order in bulk.
6. Are these connectors durable enough for heavy-duty applications?
Yes, they’re designed to withstand the rigors of production environments. The adhesive used in these connectors ensures that the splicing stays intact, even under pressure and during movement on the assembly line.
7. Can I use these connectors for repairs or emergency fixes?
Definitely! The SMD Covertape Connectors are perfect for quick fixes or when you need to repair a splice during the production process. They provide a fast, reliable solution without interrupting your workflow.
SMD Covertape Connectors – Singles Videos
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