In a move signaling a significant leap forward for high-speed electronics assembly, SMT Electronics Manufacturing Incorporated has completed the installation of 500 Cut Tape Feeder Fingers from Automation Technical Services (ATS), which account for 90% of the facility’s 8mm feeders. The deployment, specifically for Hanwha SME model feeders, marks a milestone in SMT Electronics’ mission to maintain its edge in the competitive landscape of 2026.
Precision Meets Practicality
Located in Santa Ana, CA, SMT Electronics operates three advanced production lines, each anchored by a Hanwha Decan Mounter. While Decan systems are known for high-precision component placement, the efficiency of any SMT line is often limited by tape feeding.
The newly installed Cut Tape Solutions from Feeder Finger address this bottleneck by replacing standard tape guides with a high-quality, anodized, aerospace-machined aluminum design. This innovation features a patented “plow blade” that folds the cover tape out of the way, enabling “push-and-go” functionality. For machine operators, this eliminates time-consuming, complex routing and collection of cover tape leaders—reducing setup and changeover times by an estimated 80%.
The Beta Site Advantage
The successful rollout is no coincidence. SMT Electronics served as a critical beta site during the development of these Feeder Fingers. By providing real-world feedback from its Santa Ana facility, SMT Electronics helped refine the product to meet the rigorous demands of modern manufacturing.
The President of Feeder Finger, Kelvin Wiley, noted, “SMT Electronics has been a pivotal partner throughout our development phase. Their insights into high-volume manufacturing demands directly informed the final refinements to the Hanwha Cut Tape solutions.”
Driving Toward Efficiency in 2026
As the electronics landscape evolves toward smaller, more complex, and more expensive components, the ability to handle cut tape strips—some as short as one inch—without losing components is a critical advantage. By eliminating cover tape leaders, SMT Electronics is now better positioned to meet the demands of rapid prototyping and high-mix production with unprecedented ease.
Feeder Finger continues to demonstrate its commitment to the industry by providing Cut Tape Solutions that turn SMT manufacturing “roadblocks” into competitive strengths. For SMT Electronics, the installation isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a commitment to being the fastest, most reliable partner for its clients.
ATS designs Cut Tape Feeder Fingers that integrate seamlessly with OEM feeders from all major equipment manufacturers, including:
- Fuji
- Panasonic
- Juki
- Yamaha
- Europlacer
