CONTACT

Sandy Mahoney
GPAX, Ltd
790 Cross Pointe Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43230 USA
PH: 614-501-7622
FX: 614-501-7626
http://www.gpax.com

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February, 1997

GPAX(R) NOW AN EIA STANDARD

Mechanically interlocking tapes are
splicable, low cost and minimize waste.

Columbus, Ohio USA ................................................................................................................ GPAX, Ltd
announced that its' taping technology for SMT and THT odd forms is now an Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard. The standard is available as EIA IS/704.

The mechanically interlocking tapes connect to each other with a series of tabs at intervals across the width of the carrier - heat or adhesives are not used and "peel force" issues are completely eliminated. The tapes are mechanically separated on the feeder exposing only one row of parts for automatic picking. Multiple parts per row provide substantial line inventory. At the end of a supply reel the tapes are staple spliced "on-the-fly". This offers continuous uninterrupted production and improves line thru-put resulting from fewer reel changes and less equipment downtime.

William Mahoney, VP Marketing stated, "GPAX is a member of the EIA Automated Component Handling (ACH) Committee and is an original sponsor of the new wide carrier [from 72mm to 200mm] standard. We have worked several years toward the development of this standard because our customers were demanding it." "As tape packages are standardized the larger volume usage will bring down costs significantly. This is about the same place SMT was 10 years ago", said Mahoney.

Other international standards organization such as EIAJ and IEC will soon be initiating work projects for similar tape standards. It is expected that much of the work done by EIA-ACH will be incorporated in their development.

"GPAX has established its leadership position utilizing wide carrier tapes for odd forms by concentrating on providing solutions as opposed to products. We work closely with placement equipment and taping equipment manufacturers to assure compatibility so that the end user customer has a "plug and play", low cost, high quality solution", said the Marketing VP.

GPAX(R) International, Inc. is a manufacturer of component packaging and feeding products in tape and reel format for use in small parts assembly automation. With headquarters located in Columbus, Ohio, USA, GPAX markets its products worldwide to users and component manufacturers through a direct sales force, a network of assembly systems integrators, and appointed distributors and representatives.