8mm SMD Component Holder|Reel|Dispenser

thingiverse

I created this for dispensing 8mm passives and small SMD components with precision. It excels with plastic tape but can be finicky with paper tape, which lacks the flexibility to coil so tightly. To eliminate clutter and keep track of my components, I wanted a way to put a bar code sticker on each one for recordkeeping purposes. The back clip should be designed with semi-flexible material, as it needs to bend back to release the holder. However, loading from the front is usually easier, allowing the coil to form itself. This means you might never need to remove components from your SMD assembly bench, so printing it out of rigid material could provide added security. To monitor your component levels, I recommend laying out the cut tape on your workbench alongside a yard or meter stick and marking progress every now and then (say in percentage left). This gives you an idea when you're running low (you can unwind the spool to check if needed). The retainer rail has a built-in "sacrificial layer," eliminating the need for support under the screw head recess. Simply drill out the hole with a 2.5mm bit to insert your screw or drive it through – the layer is only .2mm thick. The spool consists of two sections that can be held together with a small dab of super glue. The spool cap should not be placed against the tension spring on the holder; instead, use the main spool knob for this purpose. You have two options for the spool cap – choose the one you prefer.