3M announces the new 3M Polystyrene System that gives component packaging engineers and assemblers a complete solution for the transport and protection of electrostatically sensitive electronic devices. The 3M family of carrier and cover tapes offers a wide variety of carrier tape sizes and a choice of pressure-sensitive or heat-activated cover tape in a complete polystyrene system. 3M transport solutions, which includes 3M polystyrene carrier tape 4000, the new 3M static dissipative pressure-sensitive adhesive cover tape 2684 and 3M static dissipative heat-activated adhesive cover tape 2686, provide a total system solution to ensure the protection of static-sensitive active components and the precise delivery of them to the final assembly point.

"With our system solution, 3M now offers polystyrene and polycarbonate carrier tape as well as pressure-sensitive and heat- activated adhesive cover tapes for each," said Tom Becker, global sales and marketing manager, transport products, 3M Electronic Solutions Division. "We can give our customers the appropriate solution for their application needs. As a global solutions supplier for carrier and cover tapes, 3M assures system compatibility. This means customers can be assured that the total tape system will perform consistently to their exact specifications."

3M Polystyrene Carrier Tape 4000

3M polystyrene carrier tape 4000 is a static dissipative polystyrene carrier tape designed specifically for protecting and transporting active components: SOIC, PLCC, SOJ, TSOP, QFP, MLF and similar plastic encapsulated components. The black polystyrene tape is static dissipative throughout the total thickness of the tape, thus scoring or scratching will not affect its static control properties. It is a continuous, splice-free carrier tape with precisely formed pockets to ensure component fit to ANSI/EIA standards. 3M carrier tape 4000 is available in a wide variety of pocket designs with carrier widths from 12 mm to 44 mm; carrier widths from 12 mm to 32 mm in a level-wound format also are available to help increase productivity.

3M Static Dissipative Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Cover Tape 2684

The new 3M static dissipative pressure-sensitive adhesive cover tape 2684 is designed specifically to seal electrical and electronic components into 3M carrier tape 4000 and other embossed polystyrene carrier materials. Made of transparent, conductive polyester film, the cover tape seals to both polystyrene and polycarbonate materials from 3M and to other carrier manufacturers' materials. The cover tape is clear, allowing for information to easily be read through the tape down to the smallest component level. 3M cover tape 2684 is available in standard widths ranging from 9.3 mm to 49.4 mm, with the synthetic PSA adhesive exposed only along the edges of the tape.

3M Static Dissipative Heat-Activated Adhesive Cover Tape 2686

Like 3M static dissipative pressure-sensitive adhesive cover tape 2684, 3M static dissipative heat-activated adhesive cover tape 2686 seals electrical and electronic components into 3M carrier tape 4000 and can be used on other manufacturers' polystyrene carrier tapes. The transparent, two-sided polyester film tape is available in standard widths ranging from 5.4 mm to 49.5 mm.

3M carrier tape 4000 is designed to be compatible with a variety of both 3M cover tape 2684 and 3M cover tape 2686. It provides acceptable peel force values using standard sealing parameter settings.

Commenting on 3M's system approach to sealing, Becker noted, "Many manufacturers do not manufacture or provide compatible cover tapes for their carrier tapes, which can result in resolving compatibility and production issues related to either the carrier or cover tape. 3M offers a complete line of pressure-sensitive and heat-activated cover tapes and several types of carrier tapes to meet a myriad of customer needs."

The new Polystyrene System is backed by 3M's global, dedicated technical organization with offices and laboratories around the world. 3M's technical training and trouble-shooting assistance helps make customers' processes trouble-free with higher yields and productivity.

For more information on the 3M Polystyrene System, contact 3M Electronic Solutions at 1-800-666-8273 or visit www.3M.com/esd.

3M Electronic Solutions Division, AustinMatt Fagan, 512-984-3277