Apparatus for automated application of heat sensitive tape

Apparatus for forming and applying a particularly shaped blank of heat sensitive tape to a metal strip, said apparatus including:

• a frame;
• a stationary guide block mounted on said frame and having a track formed therein for supporting said strip;
• a drop-through blanking die assembly having a die, a mating punch, and a cooperable stripper plate;
• a tape carrier on said assembly for supporting a length of said tape in overlying relation to said die whereby said tape blank is formed upon closure of the die assembly;
• means mounting said die assembly for integral reciprocal movement to and from said strip-supporting guide block whereby an air gap is established between the block and assembly during movement of the latter;
• cooling means for maintaining the temperature of said die and said plate below the activating temperature of said tape;
• said block being provided with heater means for maintaining the temperature of said strip above said activating temperature;
• ram means for sequentially shifting said assembly to a position wherein said die engages said block and overlies the strip supported in said track, and then closing said die assembly such that the tape blank formed thereby is brought into contact with, and retained upon, the heated strip.