Removal of masking tape from lead frames

An apparatus for removing a section of masking tape adhered to a rear surface of a lead frame, at least one die being provided on a front surface of the lead frame opposite the rear surface, the die being encased in a moulded resin body, the apparatus comprising:

• a support surface for supporting the rear surface of the lead frame;
• a clamp plate having a clamping surface;
• urging means for urging the clamping surface of the clamp plate towards the front surface of the lead frame to clamp the lead frame;
• and
• peeling means for peeling the masking tape from the rear surface of the lead frame;
• the clamping surface being adapted to receive the or each resin body within at least one recess in the clamping surface.

A method of removing a section of masking tape from a lead frame, the masking tape having a first surface adhered to a rear surface of the lead frame and extending in a first direction parallel to the rear surface of the lead frame, the method comprising:

• gripping an edge portion of the masking tape which is furthermost in the first direction,
• peeling the masking tape from the lead frame by moving the edge portion opposite to the first direction, whereby the first surface of the masking tape is turned to face away from the lead frame;
• and
• urging a retrieval surface of a retrieval plate against the first surface of the masking tape, whereby the masking tape becomes adhered to the retrieval surface.

A method of removing respective sections of masking tape from respective rear faces of a plurality of lead frames, each section of masking tape having a first surface adhered to the rear surface of the respective lead frame and extending in a first direction parallel to the rear surface of the lead frame, the method comprising:

• (i) gripping an edge portion of the masking tape of the first lead frame, the edge portion being furthermost in the first direction,
• (ii) peeling the masking tape from the first lead frame by moving the edge portion oppositely to the first direction, whereby the first surface of the masking tape is turned to face away from the lead frame;
• (iii) urging a retrieval surface of a retrieval plate towards the first surface of the masking tape, whereby the masking tape of the first lead frame becomes adhered to the retrieving surface;
• and
• (iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii) successively for the other lead frames, in each step (iii) the masking tape of the respective lead frame becoming adhered to the masking tape of the previous lead frame, whereby the masking tapes of the plurality of lead frames are successively stacked on the retrieval surface.

An apparatus for removing a section of masking tape from a lead frame, the masking tape having a first surface adhered to a rear surface of the lead frame and extending in a first direction parallel to the rear surface of the lead frame, the apparatus comprising:

• a gripping device for gripping an edge portion of the masking tape which is furthermost in the first direction,
• peeling means for moving the gripping device opposite to the first direction, whereby the masking tape is peeled from the lead frame and its first surface is turned to face away from the lead frame;
• a retrieval plate having a retrieval surface;
• and
• plate drive means for urging the retrieval surface of the retrieval plate towards the first surface of the masking tape.