Tape attaching method and tape attaching apparatus

A tape attaching method for mounting an adhesive tape to an annular frame having an inside opening to thereby support a plate-shaped workpiece through said adhesive tape to said frame in said inside opening of said frame, said tape attaching method comprising:

• an adhesive tape attaching step of attaching said adhesive tape to said workpiece, said adhesive tape being larger in size than said frame;
• a frame positioning step of positioning said frame with a spacing defined between said frame and said adhesive tape in a condition where said inside opening of said frame is opposed to said workpiece attached to said adhesive tape;
• and
• a tape attaching and cutting step of partially pressing said adhesive tape against said frame by using a roller rotating along the inner circumference of said frame defining said inside opening, thereby partially attaching a portion of said adhesive tape to said frame, and also cutting another portion of said adhesive tape in an area of said tape that is not in contact with said frame by using a cutter having a cutting edge where said cutting edge of said cutter is not in contact with said frame, said cutter being arranged adjacent to said roller and on a side of said roller that is closest to an outer side of said frame.