Tape cutting processing apparatus and processing method

A tape cutting processing apparatus which performs cutting processing so that a leading end of a cover tape of a component wrapping tape, which is capable of being wound around a tape reel mounted on a tape feeder, protrudes by a predetermined protruding length from a leading end of a carrier tape, the cover tape being adhered on an upper face side of the carrier tape, in which the carrier tape is provided with cavities accommodating components at fixed pitches, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyance device that conveys the component wrapping tape along a conveyance path;
• a detection device that detects the presence or absence of the component accommodated in the cavity of the component wrapping tape conveyed along the conveyance path at a detection position disposed on the conveyance path;
• a folding-back member that folds back the cover tape at a folding-back position so that adhesion surfaces of the cover tape face each other as the component wrapping tape is conveyed;
• a cutting device that cuts each cutting portion of the carrier tape and the cover tape at a cutting position disposed on the conveyance path;
• and
• wherein the tape cutting processing apparatus further comprises an air blow device that sprays air to a downstream side in a tape conveyance direction, causes the cover tape peeled off from the carrier tape to pass above the folding-back member, and feeds the cover tape to the downstream side in the tape conveyance direction, and
• wherein the air blow device is provided to be capable of advancing and retracting with respect to the conveyance path, is retracted from the conveyance path until the component accommodated in the cavity of the component wrapping tape is detected by the detection device, and is advanced on the conveyance path based on the detection of the component accommodated in the cavity of the component wrapping tape by the detection device.