Molex Corporation

Bernard M West

Peter Ingwersen

A work station is disclosed for dispensing electrical components (12) from a tape carrier (10) having a plurality of spaced component-containing cavities (14). During the dispensing operation, one side wall (18') of the cavity is opened by slitting the tape carrier with a dual-blade knife structure (46), such that a component-ejecting shuttle mechanism (40) can pass through an opening (50) in the cavity and guide the component into a fixture (52). The knife structure includes two knife blades (102, 104) arranged such that a V-shaped notch (100) is formed by two inwardly-facing single-bevel knife edges (112, 114). The improved knife structure positions and slits the tape carrier at the notch without causing the tape to buckle or tear.

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Clarendon Hills, IL, United States of America

Bernard M West