Reel replacement component and method for reducing reel width of tape reel

Abstract

This reel replacement component can be replaced with a flange part of a tape reel having a tape holding shaft part with a carrier tape wound thereon, and a pair of flange parts that are respectively integrated with the tape holding shaft part, spread in a disk shape around the tape holding shaft part and are opposite and separated from each other in the axial direction so that the carrier tape can be accommodated. The reel replacement component comprises: a replacement flange part having rigidity higher than that of the flange parts; and a fixing part that is provided at a shaft center part of the replacement flange part and is fixed to the tape holding shaft part.

Description

Reel replacement parts and method for reducing the reel width of tape reels

[0001] The present specification relates to a reel replacement part and a method for reducing the reel width of a tape reel.

[0002] Conventionally, a feeder is known that accommodates a tape reel wound with a carrier tape in a reel accommodation space provided within the feeder (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This feeder includes a feeder main body having a transport path that transports and supports the carrier tape, and a reel accommodation section provided in the feeder main body that rotatably accommodates the tape reel. The reel accommodation section has a reel holding shaft that rotatably supports the tape reel, and a cover that forms the reel accommodation space between the reel holding shaft and the feeder main body. The cover can be opened and closed between a closed state that covers at least a portion of the flange of the tape reel supported by the reel holding shaft, and an open state that allows the tape reel to be attached and detached to the reel accommodation space.

[0003] Generally, carrier tapes are specified by JIS standards so that the tape width, size, and material can be selected according to the size of the components to be stored. A tape reel has a holding shaft portion around which the carrier tape is wound and a pair of flange portions that extend in a disk shape from the holding shaft portion. The storage width for storing the carrier tape in the tape reel (specifically, the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of flange portions) is selected according to the tape width of the carrier tape to be stored.

[0004] Patent No. 6437010

[0005] Incidentally, some tape reels are made of cardboard. Although cardboard is lightweight, it is a material that is prone to deformation and has low rigidity compared to metal and other materials. Therefore, increasing the thickness of the flanges is effective in improving the strength of such cardboard tape reels. However, with such tape reels, the reel width (i.e., the distance between the outer surfaces of a pair of flanges) becomes large, which may cause the tape reel to overflow into the reel storage space of the feeder.

[0006] An object of the present specification is to provide a reel replacement part and a method for reducing the reel width of a tape reel that enable a tape reel to be stably accommodated in a feeder.

[0007] This specification discloses a reel replacement part that can be replaced with the flange part of a tape reel having a tape holding shaft part around which a carrier tape is wound, and a pair of flange parts that are each integrated with the tape holding shaft part, expand in a disk shape centered on the tape holding shaft part, and face each other at an axial distance so as to be able to store the carrier tape, the reel replacement part comprising: a replacement flange part having higher rigidity than the flange part; and a fixing part that is provided at the axial center of the replacement flange part and is fixed to the tape holding shaft part.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the tape reel can be stably accommodated in the feeder.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feeder setting table of a component mounting machine on which a feeder accommodating a tape reel to be replaced with a reel replacement part according to one embodiment is set; FIG. 2 is a side view of a feeder according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape reel (including a carrier tape) before replacement with a reel replacement part according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of a reel replacement part according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reel replacement part according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure for reducing the reel width of a tape reel according to an embodiment;

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reel replacement part and a method for reducing the reel width of a tape reel according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] 1. Configuration of the feeder setting table of the component mounting machine on which the feeder is set The feeder 20 according to one embodiment is a device that supplies components to be mounted on a board to a component supply position P. The feeder 20 is detachably incorporated into the component mounting machine 1. The component mounting machine 1 is provided on a board production line, and mounts components on the board by suction or gripping them at the component supply position P of the feeder 20. The component mounting machine 1 is made up of a board transport device that transports boards, a component supply device including the feeder 20 that supplies components, and a component transfer device that transfers components from the feeder 20 side to the board side.

[0012] The component mounting machine 1 includes a feeder setting table 10. The feeder setting table 10 is a table on which a plurality of feeders 20 can be set. As shown in FIG. 1 , the feeder setting table 10 has slots 11. The slots 11 are gaps into which the feeders 20 can be removably inserted. The slots 11 are shaped to support the feeders 20 in a vertical position. A plurality of slots 11 are arranged side by side on the feeder setting table 10. The number of slots 11 on the feeder setting table 10 is, for example, 20.

[0013] 1, the feeder set table 10 has clamp grooves 12 for fitting the feeders 20 and connectors 13 for connecting the power lines and signal lines of the feeders 20, corresponding to each slot 11. The feeder set table 10 also has a tape outlet 14 for discharging waste tape from the carrier tape 2 (see FIG. 3) that stores components.

[0014] The feeder 20 is capable of transporting the carrier tape 2. The components that the feeder 20 supplies are electronic components such as transistors, diodes, and resistors that make up electronic circuits. These components include, for example, microcomponents such as 0201 size (0.2 mm x 0.1 mm) and large components such as capacitors.

[0015] 2. Configuration of Carrier Tape and Tape Reel The carrier tape 2 is formed in a long shape. The carrier tape 2 generally has a predetermined tape width, such as 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, or 24 mm. The carrier tape 2 has a base tape having component storage sections for storing components arranged at predetermined intervals in the tape longitudinal direction, and a cover tape for covering a component removal opening of the base tape.

[0016] The components are stored in the component storage section when the cover tape is joined to the base tape, and are exposed from the component storage section and can be removed when the cover tape is peeled off from the base tape. The carrier tape 2 may be an embossed tape in which the component storage section of the base tape protrudes downward, or may be a paper tape with grooved component storage sections on its surface. The carrier tape 2 is wound around a tape reel 3.

[0017] 3 and 4, the tape reel 3 is formed in a double disk shape. The tape reel 3 is a component made mainly of cardboard. The tape reel 3 has a tape holding shaft 3a, a flange 3b, and a holding hole 3c.

[0018] The tape holding shaft 3a is a core around which the carrier tape 2 is wound. The tape holding shaft 3a is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an axial length sufficient to hold the carrier tape 2. The tape holding shaft 3a may be made of cardboard, but may also be made of other materials such as polystyrene foam, plastic, or resin, as long as it is configured to allow a fixing portion 42 (described later) of the reel replacement part 40 to be screwed therein.

[0019] The flange portion 3b is a portion that expands in a disk shape from the tape holding shaft portion 3a as the center. A pair of flange portions 3b is provided. The pair of flange portions 3b are spaced apart and face each other in the axial direction of the tape holding shaft portion 3a, i.e., the reel width direction Y. The pair of flange portions 3b are positioned and formed so as to sandwich the carrier tape 2 wound around the tape holding shaft portion 3a from both sides.

[0020] The pair of flange portions 3b are spaced apart in the reel width direction Y so as to form a gap corresponding to the tape width of the carrier tape 2 to be wound. In other words, the pair of flange portions 3b have a storage width (specifically, the distance between the inner surfaces of the flange portions 3b) that can store the carrier tape 2. When the carrier tape 2 is wound around the tape reel 3, the tape width direction of the carrier tape 2 coincides with the reel width direction of the tape reel 3 (hereinafter referred to as the reel width direction Y).

[0021] Each flange 3b is integrated with the tape holding shaft 3a. The integration of each flange 3b with the tape holding shaft 3a is achieved, for example, by adhesive bonding. When the tape reel 3 is manufactured, each flange 3b is made of corrugated cardboard. Each flange 3b is made of, for example, E-flute corrugated cardboard with a thickness of about 1.5 mm, A-flute corrugated cardboard with a thickness of about 1.5 mm, or AB-flute corrugated cardboard with a thickness of about 8 mm.

[0022] The corrugated cardboard flange portion 3b can be removed from the tape reel 3 by being broken or peeled off from the tape holding shaft portion 3a with which the flange portion 3b is integrated. Note that each of the pair of flange portions 3b may be removable from the tape reel 3, or only one of them may be removable from the tape reel 3.

[0023] Hereinafter, the flange portion 3b (specifically, at least one flange portion 3b) removed from the tape reel 3 will be referred to as the removed flange portion 3F, and the portion remaining after removing the removed flange portion 3F from the tape reel 3 (specifically, including at least the tape holding shaft portion 3a) will be referred to as the remaining tape reel 3R. After the flange portion 3b is removed, the tape reel 3 is separated into the removed flange portion 3F and the remaining tape reel 3R (see FIG. 4).

[0024] The holding hole 3c is a through-hole required to hold the tape reel 3 in the feeder 20. The holding hole 3c is provided in the tape holding shaft 3a and penetrates in the axial direction. The holding hole 3c is located at the center of the flange 3b. A reel holding shaft 22 (described below) provided in the feeder 20 is inserted into the holding hole 3c.

[0025] 3. Feeder Configuration and Operation The feeder 20 is, for example, a cassette-type tape feeder that can accommodate the tape reel 3. As shown in Figure 2, the feeder 20 includes a feeder body 21, a reel holding shaft 22, a cover 23, a tape guide 24, a tape transport mechanism 25, and a cover tape discharge mechanism 26.

[0026] The feeder main body 21 is a main body member including a framework for mounting the reel holding shaft 22, the cover 23, the tape guide 24, the tape transport mechanism 25, and the cover tape discharge mechanism 26, as well as an attachment portion for attachment to the slot 11 of the component mounting machine 1. The feeder main body 21 is formed in a flat shape that can be attached to and detached from the slot 11 of the component mounting machine 1.

[0027] The feeder body 21 has a transport path that transports and supports the carrier tape 2. This transport path contacts the underside of the carrier tape 2 and supports the carrier tape 2 from below. The transport path extends in the tape transport direction X from the reel holding shaft portion 22 side to the component supply position P side, and supports the carrier tape 2 at the upper ends of the horizontal wall facing upward and the upright walls on both sides in the reel width direction Y.

[0028] The reel holding shaft 22 and the cover 23 are members that form a reel housing that rotatably and detachably houses the tape reel 3. The reel holding shaft 22 is a shaft that rotatably supports the tape reel 3 on the feeder main body 21 side. The reel holding shaft 22 is provided on the inner surface of one side wall of the feeder main body 21 that faces the reel width direction Y (for example, the side wall located on the left side when the feeder 20 is faced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X). The reel holding shaft 22 protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the inner surface of the side wall of the feeder main body 21 toward a reel housing space, which will be described later. The reel holding shaft 22 is insertable into a holding hole 3c of the tape reel 3 and supports the tape reel 3.

[0029] The tape reel 3, while supported by the reel holding shaft 22, can rotate around the reel holding shaft 22, for example, by operating an operating lever attached to the feeder 20. The tape reel 3 may be rotatable both in a forward direction R+ (see FIG. 2) in which the carrier tape 2 is fed forward in the tape feeding direction X, and in a reverse direction R- (see FIG. 2) in which the carrier tape 2 is fed backward in the tape feeding direction X.

[0030] The cover 23 is a portion that covers the flange portion 3b of the tape reel 3 supported by the reel holding shaft portion 22. The cover 23 is formed in a plate shape. The cover 23 is made of a metal such as SUS. The cover 23 is arranged on either side of the feeder main body 21 in the reel width direction Y (for example, on the right side when the feeder 20 is faced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X). The cover 23 is arranged opposite the side wall of the feeder main body 21 on which the reel holding shaft portion 22 is provided. A reel storage space for storing the tape reel 3 is formed between the cover 23 and the side wall of the feeder main body 21.

[0031] The cover 23 covers part of the flange 3b of the tape reel 3 (for example, the lower part of the flange 3b as shown in FIG. 2) from the outside in the reel width direction Y. Therefore, when the tape reel 3 is supported by the reel holding shaft 22, part of the tape reel 3 is located inside the reel accommodating space and hidden from the outside of the feeder 20, while the other part of the tape reel 3 is exposed to the outside above the cover 23 and located outside the reel accommodating space. Note that the reel holding shaft 22 may be provided on the back surface of the cover 23 instead of being provided on the feeder body 21.

[0032] The cover 23 can be opened and closed relative to the feeder body 21. Specifically, the cover 23 can be switched between a closed state in which it is integrated with the side wall of the feeder body 21 to close the reel storage space, and an open state in which it is separated from the side wall of the feeder body 21 to open the reel storage space. The cover 23 opens and closes relative to the feeder body 21 by, for example, rotating on a hinge or sliding along a rail. The tape reel 3 is attached to and detached from the reel holding shaft 22 when the cover 23 is in the open state.

[0033] The tape guide 24 is a guide member that guides the carrier tape 2 transported on the transport path. The tape guide 24 is disposed above the transport path of the carrier tape 2. The tape guide 24 is detachably attached to the upper side and downstream side of the feeder body 21 in the tape transport direction X. The tape guide 24 is formed with a U-shaped cross section so that it can abut against the top and side surfaces of the carrier tape 2. The carrier tape 2 is guided by contacting the top wall and side walls of the tape guide 24 when transported in the tape transport direction X. The tape guide 24 has a folding portion that folds back the cover tape, which has been peeled off from the base tape of the carrier tape 2, to the side opposite the base tape.

[0034] The tape transport mechanism 25 is a mechanism responsible for transporting the carrier tape 2. The tape transport mechanism 25 has a disk-shaped sprocket that rotates to transport the carrier tape 2, and a drive motor, such as an electric motor, that generates power to rotate the sprocket. The sprocket and drive motor are located below the transport path. When the drive motor is driven with the engaging projections of the sprocket inserted into the feed holes of the carrier tape 2, the carrier tape 2 is transported in accordance with the drive of the drive motor.

[0035] It is preferable that the sprocket of the tape transport mechanism 25 be located close to the cover tape peeling position and the component supply position P in the feeder 20 in order to prevent misalignment in the tape width direction Y of the carrier tape 2. It is also preferable that the drive motor not only rotates the sprocket in the direction in which the carrier tape 2 is fed in the tape feed direction X but also rotates the sprocket in the direction opposite to the feeding direction in order to adjust the position of the carrier tape 2 in the tape feed direction X or to improve the positioning accuracy, for example.

[0036] The cover tape discharge mechanism 26 is a mechanism that guides the cover tape peeled off from the base tape of the carrier tape 2 to the outside of the feeder main body 21 or to a cover recovery space within the feeder main body 21. The cover tape discharge mechanism 26 discharges the cover tape that has been peeled off from the base tape upstream of the component supply position P of the feeder 20 in the tape feed direction X and folded back so as to pass above the feed path by lowering it along the side of the feeder main body 21. The cover tape discharge mechanism 26 may also have a winding gear or a winding motor that rotates in synchronization with the transport of the carrier tape 2 in the tape feed direction X to discharge the cover tape.

[0037] In the feeder 20 described above, when the cover 23 is open and the tape reel 3 is supported by the reel holding shaft 22, and when the cover 23 is closed, the tape reel 3 is covered by the cover 23 and accommodated in the reel accommodation space, allowing the tape reel 3 to rotate. In this state, the carrier tape 2 pulled out from the tape reel 3 is guided by the tape guide 24 while being supported by the transport path of the feeder body 21, and is set so that the feed holes of the carrier tape 2 engage with the sprocket of the tape transport mechanism 25. In addition, the cover tape of the carrier tape 2 is completely peeled off from the base tape starting from a folded portion upstream of the component supply position P in the tape transport direction X, and is set along a predetermined discharge path so as to engage with a take-up gear of the cover tape discharge mechanism 26.

[0038] When the sprocket rotates in the carrier tape 2 feed direction while the carrier tape 2 is set as described above, the rotation of the sprocket causes the tape reel 3 to rotate in the forward direction R+ while supported by the reel holding shaft 22. This forward rotation R+ causes the carrier tape 2 to be fed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape feed direction X, and the cover tape is peeled off and ejected from the base tape in conjunction with the feeding of the carrier tape 2. During this process, components stored in the component storage compartments of the base tape are exposed and ready for removal. After the components reach the component supply position P, they are held by a suction nozzle or the like of the component mounting machine 1 and transferred to the board.

[0039] Furthermore, when the tape reel 3 is rotated in the reverse direction to feed the carrier tape 2 back while supported by the reel holding shaft 22 by operating the operating lever or the like in the set state of the carrier tape 2 as described above, the carrier tape 2 is rewound onto the tape reel 3. In this case, when the cover 23 of the feeder 20 is opened, the tape reel 3 with the rewound carrier tape 2 can be removed from the feeder 20.

[0040] 4. Configuration of the Reel Replacement Part In the tape reel 3 of this embodiment, the flange portion 3b can be replaced with a reel replacement part 40. For example, an operator can remove the flange portion 3b from the tape reel 3 by breaking or peeling the flange portion 3b from the tape reel 3. When the flange portion 3b is removed from the tape reel 3, the tape reel 3 is separated into a removable flange portion 3F and a remaining tape reel 3R. The reel replacement part 40 is then attached to the remaining tape reel 3R. In this way, the flange portion 3b of the tape reel 3 is replaced from the removable flange portion 3F with the reel replacement part 40.

[0041] The reel replacement part 40 corresponds to the flange portion 3b and has a structure that can be replaced with the removable flange portion 3F. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reel replacement part 40 has a replacement flange portion 41 and a fixing portion 42.

[0042] The replacement flange portion 41 is a portion that expands in a substantially disk shape. The replacement flange portion 41 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the flange portion 3b. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the replacement flange portion 41 may be formed in a circular shape with a portion of the outer edge cut out in an arch shape. Furthermore, the replacement flange portion 41 may be formed to have a plurality of spokes that each extend radially outward from the circular center.

[0043] The replacement flange portion 41 has higher rigidity than the flange portion 3b to be removed (specifically, the removal flange portion 3F). The replacement flange portion 41 is made of a metal such as SUS. The thickness of the replacement flange portion 41 is smaller than the thickness of the removal flange portion 3F, for example, about 0.5 mm. Therefore, when the reel replacement part 40 is attached to the remaining tape reel 3R and the flange portion 3b is replaced from the removal flange portion 3F with the reel replacement part 40, the distance between the outer surfaces of the flange portions 3b on both sides of the tape reel 3 becomes smaller than before the replacement.

[0044] The fixed portion 42 is a portion that is fixed to the tape holding shaft portion 3a of the remaining tape reel 3R when the reel replacement part 40 is attached to the remaining tape reel 3R. The fixed portion 42 may have any structure that allows the reel replacement part 40 to be attached to the remaining tape reel 3R. The fixed portion 42 is disposed at the axial center of the replacement flange portion 41. The fixed portion 42 protrudes in the axial direction from the axial center of the replacement flange portion 41.

[0045] The fixing portion 42 is made of metal or resin. For example, the fixing portion 42 has an uneven portion on the outer surface of the protrusion, and is formed in the shape of a male screw or a tap. The fixing portion 42 is screwed into the periphery of the holding hole 3c in the tape holding shaft 3a of the remaining tape reel 3R and fixed.

[0046] The fixed portion 42 is configured so that the reel holding shaft 22 of the reel accommodating portion of the feeder 20 can be inserted into it. Specifically, the fixed portion 42 is formed in a tubular (more specifically, cylindrical) shape. It is preferable that the fixed portion 42 is formed so that its inner diameter approximately matches the diameter of the holding hole 3c. With the fixed portion 42 fixed to the tape holding shaft 3a, when the reel replacement part 40 is attached to the remaining tape reel 3R, the tape reel 3R can be rotatably supported by the reel holding shaft 22 of the feeder 20.

[0047] 5. Method for Reducing the Reel Width of a Tape Reel Using a Reel Replacement Part Since the flange portion 3b of the tape reel 3 is made of cardboard, the thickness of the flange portion 3b is generally set to a relatively large value in order to ensure the rigidity of the tape reel 3. After a tape reel 3 including such a relatively thick flange portion 3b has been manufactured, if an operator wishes to reduce the overall width of the tape reel 3, the operator will carry out the following procedure.

[0048] First, at least one of the flanges 3b is removed (see FIG. 6(B)) from the tape reel 3 (see FIG. 6(A)), which has a tape holding shaft 3a and a pair of flanges 3b. This process is performed by an operator using a tool such as a cutter or by hand to break or peel off the flange 3b. After this process is performed, the tape reel 3 is separated into a removed flange 3F and a remaining tape reel 3R, as shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0049] Then, the fixing portion 42 of the reel replacement part 40 is fixed to the tape holding shaft portion 3a of the remaining tape reel 3R, and the flange portion 3b of the tape reel 3 is replaced with the reel replacement part 40 (see FIG. 6C). This process is performed by the worker screwing the reel replacement part 40 into the remaining tape reel 3R using a tool or with his or her own hands. When this process is performed, a new tape reel 3 is produced in which the reel replacement part 40 and the remaining tape reel 3R are integrated, as shown in FIG. 6C.

[0050] The reel replacement part 40 has a replacement flange part 41 that has higher rigidity than the flange part 3b (specifically, the removable flange part 3F), and has a thickness that is smaller than the thickness of the removable flange part 3F. Therefore, when at least one of the pair of flange parts 3b is replaced with the reel replacement part 40 as described above, the distance between the outer surfaces of the flange parts 3b on both sides of the tape reel 3 becomes smaller than the distance before replacement with the reel replacement part 40. In particular, when both flange parts 3b on both sides are replaced with the reel replacement parts 40, the distance between the outer surfaces becomes even smaller.

[0051] That is, by replacing the flange portion 3b of the tape reel 3 with a reel replacement part 40 that is thinner than the removed flange portion 3F, it is possible to reduce the reel width of the tape reel 3 and thereby reduce the size of the tape reel 3. This makes it easier to store the tape reel 3 in the reel storage space of the feeder 20.

[0052] The replacement flange 41 of the reel replacement part 40 is made of metal and has higher rigidity than the removable flange 3F made of cardboard. Therefore, even if the reel width of the tape reel 3 is reduced as described above, the strength of the flange 3b is ensured. Therefore, the tape reel 3 can be stably accommodated in the feeder 20.

[0053] This prevents the tape reel 3 from interfering with the cover 23 of the feeder 20 and the like when the tape reel 3 rotates while transporting the carrier tape 2, thereby preventing the tape reel 3 from getting stuck, thereby enabling the carrier tape 2 to be fed and transported appropriately.

[0054] 5. Modified Embodiments In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 42 of the reel replacement part 40 is formed in a male screw shape or a tap shape, and is screwed onto and fixed to the tape holding shaft 3a of the tape reel 3 (specifically, the remaining tape reel 3R). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the fixing portion 42 may be fixed by being pressed into the tape holding shaft 3a by press-fitting or the like.

[0055] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the present disclosure not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas that appropriately combine the matters set forth in the claims.

[0056] 1: component mounting machine, 2: carrier tape, 3: tape reel, 3a: tape holding shaft, 3b: flange, 3c: holding hole, 3F: removed flange, 3R: remaining tape reel, 10: feeder set base, 11: slot, 20: feeder, 21: feeder body, 22: reel holding shaft, 23: cover, 40: reel replacement part, 41: replacement flange, 42: fixing part.

Claims

1. A reel replacement part that can be replaced with the flange part of a tape reel having a tape holding shaft part around which a carrier tape is wound, and a pair of flange parts that are each integrated with the tape holding shaft part, expand into a disk shape centered on the tape holding shaft part, and face each other at a distance in the axial direction so that the carrier tape can be stored, the reel replacement part comprising: a replacement flange part having higher rigidity than the flange parts; and a fixing part provided at the axial center of the replacement flange part and fixed to the tape holding shaft part.

2. A reel replacement part as described in claim 1, wherein the flange portion is a part made of cardboard, and the replacement flange portion is a part made of metal having a thickness smaller than that of the flange portion.

3. A reel replacement part as described in claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is formed in a male screw shape and protrudes axially from the axial center of the replacement flange portion.

4. A reel replacement part as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape so that a reel holding shaft portion provided in a reel storage portion of a feeder in which the tape reel is set can be inserted.

5. A method for reducing the reel width of a tape reel having a tape holding shaft portion around which a carrier tape is wound, and a pair of flange portions each integral with the tape holding shaft portion, expanding into a disk shape centered on the tape holding shaft portion and facing each other at a distance in the axial direction so as to be able to store the carrier tape, comprising: a first step of removing at least one of the flange portions from the tape reel; and a second step of fixing a fixing portion of a reel replacement part having a replacement flange portion having higher rigidity than the flange portion and a fixing portion provided at the axial center of the replacement flange portion and fixed to the tape holding shaft portion to the tape holding shaft portion, thereby replacing the flange portion of the tape reel with the reel replacement part.

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