Patent ID: 7895969

Claim:
An apparatus for forming an outer electrode of each of electronic components in which electrode paste is applied to first end surfaces of a large number of electronic components held by a holding plate such that the first end surfaces protrude outward, comprising: a flat board having an area being a plurality of times as large as that of the holding plate in a longitudinal direction of the flat board; a squeegee blade vertically slidable so as to adjust a gap from the flat board; a spreader arranged to spread a paste film having a predetermined thickness on a portion of the flat board by moving relatively the flat board with respect to the squeegee blade and the holding plate in the longitudinal direction of the flat board by a length corresponding to the length of substantially one holding plate while a predetermined gap is maintained between the squeegee blade and the flat board; an applicator arranged to apply the electrode paste to the first end surfaces of the electronic components held by the holding plate by dipping the first end surfaces of the electronic components in the paste film having a size substantially equal to that of one holding plate spread on the flat board; and a controller arranged and programmed to control the spreader and the applicator in spreading operations and dipping operations, in which every time the paste film having a size substantially equal to that of one holding plate is spread, the first end surfaces of the electronic components held by the holding plate are dipped in the paste film, and the spreading operations and dipping operations are repeated after the flat board is moved to a portion thereof that is different from the portion of the flat board on which the paste film has been applied until the electrode paste is applied to the first end surfaces of the electronic components a plurality of times.