Abstract: A method of feeding a component tape towards a picking position of a component mounting machine is disclosed. The feeding is performed by means of a feeding mechanism configured to engage the component tape at an engaging position and to disengage the component tape at a disengaging position. The method comprises engaging the component tape at the engaging position, moving, by means of the feeding mechanism, the component tape from the engaging position to the disengaging position, disengaging the component tape at the disengaging position, and returning the feeding mechanism from the disengaging position to the engaging position and wherein the feeding mechanism moves the component tape in a linear motion between the engaging position and the disengaging position.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing operator information in an Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system comprising an SMT information database, a SMT pick and place machine and an identity tag scanner, the method comprising: receiving a bin in said SMT pick and place machine, wherein said bin is adapted to comprise vertically oriented bin load units, wherein said bin load unit has an pallet identity tag attached to the bin load units upwards facing surface; starting SMT production on said SMT pick and place machine; scanning individual identity tags attached to bin load units comprising component tape reels to obtain bin load units IDs.

Abstract: A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at predetermined positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the method comprising receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse and scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a bin ID.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage unit for Surface Mount Technology (SMT) supplies, comprising a plurality of stacks having vertically stacked storage locations for SMT supplies, a terminal for inserting and receiving SMT supplies to and from said storage unit, a first collector arm for transporting SMT supplies between storage locations and said terminal, said collector arm being moveably arranged along said stacks so as to enable engagement with the vertically stacked storage locations of a stack. Further, the plurality of stacks are arranged in at least one cluster of two or more stacks in each cluster, wherein each stack of said at least one cluster is moveably arranged in relation to said collector arm so as to allow engagement of said collector arm with different stacks of the cluster upon movement of said two or more stacks in the cluster, thereby allowing said collector arm to engage storage locations of different stacks in said at least one cluster.

Abstract: A method of feeding a component tape towards a picking position of a component mounting machine is disclosed. The feeding is performed by means of a feeding mechanism configured to engage the component tape at an engaging position and to disengage the component tape at a disengaging position. The method comprises engaging the component tape at the engaging position, moving, by means of the feeding mechanism, the component tape from the engaging position to the disengaging position, disengaging the component tape at the disengaging position, and returning the feeding mechanism from the disengaging position to the engaging position and wherein the feeding mechanism moves the component tape in a linear motion between the engaging position and the disengaging position.

Abstract: A system and method for surface mount assembly of PCB's, using an automated pick-and-place machine into which component tapes on reels are fed, uses component tape reels each of which has been pre-threaded into its appropriate tape guide and been stored as a reel/tape guide packet in an automated SMD storage tower, from which appropriate packets are retrieved for coupling to the pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: A method and a system for changing operator display data on a display unit/electronic label located on a carrier in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system performing the steps of providing a carrier in the form of a bin or trolley configured to carry a plurality of bin load units, wherein said carrier comprises a display unit/electronic label; receiving or retrieving input data related to said carrier and an ongoing or upcoming SMT job; presenting display data on said display unit/electronic label based on said received input data; and scanning at least one barcode associated with or arranged on said carrier.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing operator information in an Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system comprising an SMT information database, a SMT pick and place machine and an identity tag scanner, the method comprising: receiving a bin in said SMT pick and place machine, wherein said bin is adapted to comprise vertically oriented bin load units, wherein said bin load unit has an pallet identity tag attached to the bin load units upwards facing surface; starting SMT production on said SMT pick and place machine; scanning individual identity tags attached to bin load units comprising component tape reels to obtain bin load units IDs.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing operator information in an Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system comprising an SMT information database, a SMT pick and place machine and an identity tag scanner, the method comprising: receiving a bin in said SMT pick and place machine, wherein said bin is adapted to comprise vertically oriented bin load units, wherein said bin load unit has an pallet identity tag attached to the bin load units upwards facing surface; starting SMT production on said SMT pick and place machine; scanning individual identity tags attached to bin load units comprising component tape reels to obtain bin load units IDs.

Abstract: A container, or box, for use in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system includes an outer shell and at least one compartment. The outer shell has side walls and a base. The container is configured to store a plurality of SMT-job related objects in said at least one compartment where one of said SMT-job related objects is not a component tape reel, wherein said container has a logically and electronically unique identity in the SMT system represented by a barcode or RFID tag arranged on the container, said unique ID of the container being configured to be associated with each of the unique IDs of said plurality of SMT-job related objects stored in said at least one compartment.

Abstract: A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at predetermined positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the method comprising receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse and scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a bin ID.

Abstract: A system and method for surface mount assembly of PCB's, using an automated pick-and-place machine into which component tapes on reels are fed, uses component tape reels each of which has been pre-threaded into its appropriate tape guide and been stored as a reel/tape guide packet in an automated SMD storage tower, from which appropriate packets are retrieved for coupling to the pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: A container, or box, for use in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system includes an outer shell and at least one compartment. The outer shell has side walls and a base. The container is configured to store a plurality of SMT-job related objects in said at least one compartment where one of said SMT-job related objects is not a component tape reel, wherein said container has a logically and electronically unique identity in the SMT system represented by a barcode or RFID tag arranged on the container, said unique ID of the container being configured to be associated with each of the unique IDs of said plurality of SMT-job related objects stored in said at least one compartment.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing operator information in an Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system comprising an SMT information database, a SMT pick and place machine and an identity tag scanner, the method comprising: receiving a bin in said SMT pick and place machine, wherein said bin is adapted to comprise vertically oriented bin load units, wherein said bin load unit has an pallet identity tag attached to the bin load units upwards facing surface; starting SMT production on said SMT pick and place machine; scanning individual identity tags attached to bin load units comprising component tape reels to obtain bin load units IDs.

Abstract: A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at predetermined positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the method comprising receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse and scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a bin ID.

Abstract: A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at predetermined positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the method comprising receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse and scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a bin ID.

Abstract: A system and method for surface mount assembly of PCB's, using an automated pick-and-place machine into which component tapes on reels are fed, uses component tape reels each of which has been pre-threaded into its appropriate tape guide and been stored as a reel/tape guide packet in an automated SMD storage tower, from which appropriate packets are retrieved for coupling to the pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: A container, or box, for use in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system includes an outer shell and at least one compartment. The outer shell has side walls and a base. The container is configured to store a plurality of SMT-job related objects in said at least one compartment where one of said SMT-job related objects is not a component tape reel, wherein said container has a logically and electronically unique identity in the SMT system represented by a barcode or RFID tag arranged on the container, said unique ID of the container being configured to be associated with each of the unique IDs of said plurality of SMT-job related objects stored in said at least one compartment.

Abstract: A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at predetermined positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the method comprising receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse and scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a bin ID.

Abstract: A system and method for surface mount assembly of PCB's, using an automated pick-and-place machine into which component tapes on reels are fed, uses component tape reels each of which has been pre-threaded into its appropriate tape guide and been stored as a reel/tape guide packet in an automated SMD storage tower, from which appropriate packets are retrieved for coupling to the pick-and-place machine.