Apparatus for counting electronic components

A component feeder comprising:

• a portable frame adapted to receive a reel containing a roll of tape and wherein a plurality of components are mounted on the roll of tape;
• advancing means for advancing the roll of tape by one of the plurality of components resulting in an advancement of the roll of tape;
• and
• counting means, mounted on the portable frame and responsive to the advancing means advancing the roll of tape by one of the plurality of components, for counting each advancement of the roll of tape.

A component feeder comprising:

• a portable frame;
• a reel mounted on the portable frame, wherein the reel is adapted to contain a roll of tape and wherein components are mounted on the roll of tape;
• a component advancing mechanism mounted on the portable frame, wherein the component advancing mechanism is employed to advance the roll of tape, wherein the component advancing mechanism includes a stop point that is electrically isolated from other portions of the component advancing mechanism, wherein the component advancing mechanism shows a common electrical path with the portable frame, and wherein the in response to the component advancing mechanism advancing the tape, the component advancing mechanism contacts the stop point;
• and
• a counter mounted on the portable frame, wherein the counter contains a first contact electrically connected to the stop point and a second contact electrically connected to the portable frame, wherein the counter changes a value set in the counter in response to detecting a current transition caused by the component advancing mechanism contacting the stop point.