complete FAQ
SMD Plastic Reel Technical Q&A Library

Since 1990, Guann-Ming Industrial has specialized in SMD plastic reels (SMT carrier-tape reels). The G.M brand covers six sizes — 4 / 7 / 10 / 11.25 / 13 / 15" — plus 17" / 20" packaging reels (GM-17A / GM-22A).

Since 2010 we have added a plastic injection-molding OEM division for precision plastic parts, brackets, and electronic enclosures, and we also provide plastic vacuum-forming OEM.

The 13" reel (GM-13E-X, Ø 330 mm) is the mainstream SMT production size. It uses a two-piece, ultrasonic-welded construction that separates into two halves plus a hub to save shipping space for export.

The 15" reel (GM-15A-X, Ø 380 mm) is the large-size standard (two-piece construction). It holds more carrier tape, reducing reel-change downtime on SMT lines.

The G.M plastic reel range covers six core sizes:

• 4" (Ø 100 mm) — small ICs and passives; ideal for prototyping and low-volume pilot runs
• 7" (Ø 180 mm) — connectors and mechanical parts; small-to-mid volume
• 10" (Ø 254 mm) — mid-size components; mid-volume SMT
• 11.25" (Ø 286 mm) — a transitional size used by some European and U.S. customers
• 13" (Ø 330 mm) — mainstream SMT production
• 15" (Ø 380 mm) — high-throughput lines and high capacity

We also offer 17" (GM-17A-X) and 20" (GM-22A) packaging reels for LED strips and large electronic parts in export packaging.

G.M plastic reels are made primarily of PS/ABS (High-Impact Polystyrene), which offers excellent impact strength and moldability.

Anti-static agents or conductive carbon are added to meet electrical requirements. The natural color is white, and it can be customized to blue, black, or a custom color on request.

Yes. G.M Reels plastic reels fully comply with EIA-481, the Electronic Industries Alliance carrier-tape packaging standard, supporting tape widths of 8 / 12 / 16 / 24 / 32 / 44 / 56 mm.

They are compatible with mainstream SMT pick-and-place machines (Fuji, Yamaha, Panasonic, Siemens, ASM, Juki), ensuring smooth tape feed-out on automated placement lines.

The standard reel center hole is Ø 13 mm (±0.2 mm), the common spindle size for SMT carrier-tape machines.

Hub height varies by size: 4-7" is typically 9-12 mm and 10-15" is 13-22 mm, and can be customized to your equipment. The 13" and 15" reels feature a snap-lock design so the hub can be separated for shipping.

Two-piece (ultrasonic-welded) is the mainstream construction. Its advantages: it separates into two halves for shipping, cutting container volume by 60%, which is ideal for export; weld strength is validated by ocean-shipping vibration testing.

One-piece molding is a single injection shot. Its advantages: the highest structural strength and no weld seam, but larger shipping volume and higher cost.

13" is the primary two-piece size, while smaller 4-10" sizes are usually one-piece molded.

The three electrical types match different IC sensitivity levels:

• ANTI-STATIC (surface resistance <10¹¹ Ω/sq) — the mainstream choice for volume SMT, suitable for general electronic components
• CONDUCTIVE (surface resistance <10⁵ Ω/sq) — modified with conductive carbon, for highly ESD-sensitive ICs
• INSULATIVE (surface resistance >10¹¹ Ω/sq) — natural PS/ABS, non-conductive, for special applications or parts that do not require ESD protection

Per ANSI/ESD S20.20:

• Class 0 (<250 V HBM) and Class 1A (250-500 V HBM) ICs — conductive reels are recommended (10⁵ Ω/sq or below)
• Class 1B (500-1000 V) and Class 1C and above — anti-static reels are acceptable (10¹¹ Ω/sq)
• Non-sensitive parts or mechanical components — insulative reels are fine

We recommend confirming against your semiconductor/IDM customer's ESD specification.

Stocked sizes (mainly 13" / 15") ship quickly; custom sizes take 30-45 days:

• this includes tooling 25 days + sampling 10 days + production
• custom colors or special electrical grades add 7-14 days for material procurement
• rush orders can be expedited by arrangement

Standard sizes (stocked 4 / 7 / 13 / 15") are available as free samples; the 4" size is the easiest to request.

Custom sizes are sampled after tooling (T1 samples); spec confirmation and a quote are required first. International freight is borne by the customer, or samples can be collected at the factory.

Stocked standard products vary by size:

• 13" / 15": approx. 200-500 pcs
• 4-10": approx. 500-2000 pcs

Custom sizes typically have an MOQ of 1000-5000 pcs to amortize tooling cost. For your exact MOQ, please contact our sales team for a quote.

Your inquiry is acknowledged by our sales team within 24 hours:

• simple stocked-item quotes — same-day response
• custom inquiries — 3-5 business days for internal review and a formal reply
• rush — call +886-3-525-8219 to reach sales directly

Guann-Ming Industrial is certified to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System):

• Issued by: URS / UKAS / IAF
• Certificate No.: 81233/A/0001/UK/En
• Valid: 2026/04/13 - 2029/04/12 (Issue No. 4)
• Scope: Manufacturing of injection-molded plastic products and plastic reels for electrical parts

Guann-Ming Industrial holds five international certifications and compliances:

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
• SGS system certification
• EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) membership
• products comply with RoHS
• Halogen-Free compliance

These meet the baseline supplier-audit requirements of semiconductor and electronics customers.

Guann-Ming focuses on the semiconductor OSAT / Fabless / IDM and electronics markets and does not currently serve the automotive-electronics supply chain, so we have not pursued IATF 16949, AEC-Q, or PPAP automotive certifications.

For automotive-electronics custom requirements, please contact sales to assess feasibility.

Yes. Since 2010, Guann-Ming has provided OEM contract manufacturing:

• Plastic injection-molding OEM — precision plastic parts, brackets, electronic enclosures
• Plastic vacuum-forming OEM — work trays, component trays, packaging boxes

The same facility provides one-stop plastic reels plus injection and vacuum-forming services.

A standard five-stage process (about 30-45 days total):

• Drawing / sample submission, D+0 — customer provides .STEP / .IGS / .DWG files or a physical sample
• Mold design, D+7 — engineers complete the 3D mold design and review
• Tooling & trial, D+25 — mold built and T1 trial run completed
• Sample approval, D+35 — customer OQC approves the trial sample
• Mass production & shipment, D+45

Yes. Standard colors are white and blue (anti-static), with black for the conductive grade.

Custom colors can be matched to Pantone or a customer-supplied swatch; the MOQ is typically 500-2000 pcs. LED packaging reels are usually black to protect light-sensitive components.

Yes. Guann-Ming has extensive Europe and U.S. export experience — the two-piece construction was developed specifically to save volume in ocean containers.

We also support direct shipment within Asia-Pacific and can help prepare export documents such as certificates of origin, invoices, and packing lists.

The PS/ABS used in G.M plastic reels is a recyclable plastic (SPI code 6 / PS) and can enter the plastic recycling stream after use.

Products comply with RoHS and Halogen-Free requirements, and our factory operations follow local environmental regulations.

The two-piece construction is designed for ocean export:

• 60% less container volume than one-piece — the two halves stack flat for shipping
• Ultrasonic weld strength withstands trans-Pacific shipping vibration
• customers can assemble on receipt, or receive pre-assembled reels ready for the SMT machine

Guann-Ming Industrial Co., Ltd. is located at No. 8, Lane 247, Niupu Rd., Xiangshan Dist., Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan, and has operated at the same site since it was founded in 1990.

Phone +886-3-525-8219 · Email terry0601@guannming.com

We welcome procurement, SQE, and ESG audit teams to schedule a factory visit.

• About 15 minutes by car from Hsinchu HSR station; pickup can be arranged
• please book about one week in advance so we can arrange the right engineering contact to accompany you
• the same site lets you review all three lines — reels, plastic injection, and vacuum forming

Guann-Ming Industrial (G.M Reels) is an SMD plastic reel manufacturer in Hsinchu, Taiwan, established in 1990. We produce SMT carrier-tape reels in 4 / 7 / 10 / 11.25 / 13 / 15" sizes, EIA-481 compliant, in PS / ABS with anti-static / conductive / insulative grades. Beside Hsinchu Science Park, serving Taiwan's semiconductor and electronics supply chain.

A one-piece reel ships mostly air. Guann-Ming's 13" 3-piece design (two flanges + one central hub) packs flat to cut ocean-freight volume and logistics cost by 60%; it twist-locks together with no special tools, in seconds, letting customers stock more spares.

Guann-Ming's reel dimensions and sprocket pitch conform to EIA-481 for zero jamming on high-speed pick-and-place; anti-static / conductive grades are surface-resistance tested for stable values (conductive 10⁴–10⁶, anti-static 10⁶–10¹¹ Ω/sq), protecting ICs from ESD damage.

Yes. Guann-Ming's vacuum-formed (thermoformed) trays use high-purity, recyclable PET fitting ESG-driven green procurement; PS and conductive / anti-static grades are available, custom-tooled to your part contour for semiconductor packaging and IC shipping protection.