First set of photos up:
http://www.markhphoto.com.au/PPM-Quad-Auto-Feed-8mm-Feeder/Want to see it bigger? Click one, then edit the URL to change the /A to /O (O for Original). Pictures are 24mpix from a high end macro lens, so you can pixel peep it ;) I shot them off hand so depth of field isn't enormous.
This is an auto feed type feeder, when the beam is broken as the pickup head goes to get the part, the feeder will progress the tape. Looks like it has an Intel 8082 processor and the circuitry to support it. The encoder wheel is 5 slot. Both the encoder wheel and the beam break use just simple IR diodes. I'm pretty sure the pins for input are just power - I'm told by the owner of the feeder that there is no feedback to the machine for these.
The reel holder bolts onto the back of this module, but I don't have it - I'll follow up this email with the machine driven type feeder, that does have the reel holder on it. The peeled cover tape goes onto the black spool that is covered with sticky tape, and is driven by the O ring belt which can slip quite easily so it can deal with the ever increasing diameter of the spooled cover tape.
I have no idea what the red and black buttons are for.
The sprocket for the tape is brass, and I can't see any witness marks to tell how it was manufactured (if it was me doing it, i'd probably just chem etch or waterjet them.)
The tape feeds through between the cover tape spool and the motor, up to the sprocket and then all the way around and back out just under where it entered.