Tape attachment systems and methods

A tape handling system, comprising:

• a tape cartridge assembly comprising a plurality of tape cartridges configured to dispense a tape or strip of material for provision to a joining head of a joining device;
• and
• a tape joining assembly configured to receive the tape or strip of material from a current tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges aligned with the tape joining assembly, the tape or strip of material directed to the joining head by a tape guide of the tape joining assembly, the tape joining assembly configured to apply a clamping force to the tape or strip of material, where initiation of the clamping force is based upon an amount of the tape or strip of material remaining in the current tape cartridge, where the tape cartridge assembly advances the plurality of tape cartridges to align a next tape cartridge of the plurality of tape cartridges with the tape joining assembly and the tape joining assembly bonds a beginning of a tape or strip of material from the next tape cartridge to an end of the tape or strip of material clamped by the tape joining assembly, wherein the tape cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge advance control configured to control advancement of the plurality of tape cartridges, the cartridge advance control comprises a retractable pin that extends to maintain alignment of the current tape cartridge with the tape joining assembly, wherein the retractable pin is retracted to allow the current and next tape cartridges to advance by a defined distance, the cartridge advance control comprising another retractable pin that extends to limit advancement of the current and next tape cartridges.