Live reel hand-off refers to the transition between component reels without stopping the placement machine. This practice is central to modern high-throughput SMT operations where downtime is tightly constrained.
During live hand-off:
The splice must function as a structural continuity element, transmitting force across the tape path.
Mechanical stresses include:
These forces act simultaneously and repetitively.
Small imperfections become amplified because:
Live hand-off failures result in:
Engineering reliability in this context requires designing for worst-case dynamic loading, not average conditions.
