Method for supplying smt components in a feeder cassette, supply system, computer program product and computer readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for supplying SMT components from feeder cartridges to a placement device for SMT components, the placement device having a plurality of slots for mounting feeder cartridges to transfer SMT components from each feeder cartridge to the placement device, the method comprising the steps of: - a supply system determining a run-out time of a first feeder cartridge in a first slot of the placement device; and - the supply system supplying a second feeder cartridge to a second slot of the placement device before the run-out time of the first feeder cartridge is reached, wherein the SMT components comprised in the second feeder cartridge are identical to the SMT components in the first feeder cartridge. Furthermore, the invention relates to a supply system for supplying feeder cartridges with SMT components to a placement device for SMT components, a computer program product and a computer readable medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for supplying surface mount technology (SMT) components from a feeder cassette to a placement apparatus for SMT components. The invention also relates to a supply system for supplying a feeder cassette containing SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components, a computer program product for supplying a feeder cassette containing SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components, and a computer-readable medium storing the computer program product thereon. Background Technology

[0002] Current known component supply methods, particularly for SMT component supply used in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, involve a significant amount of manual work. In the known prior art, components are typically wound onto reels via component tapes and / or belts. The component tapes and / or belts are usually moved forward by a feeder to supply components to the placement unit. Until now, reels were typically designed separately from the corresponding feeders, with the free end of the component reel usually manually inserted into the feeder. During reel changes or transitions between two reels, the free end of the new component reel was typically spliced ​​to the rear free end of the previous component reel to continuously supply components to the placement unit. Modern component reels are designed as part of the feeder, for example, designed within the feeder cassette. In SMT production lines, replenishment is done by changing feeder cassettes, which differs from the current splicing process.

[0003] The splicing process does not require waiting for the reel to be empty, thus providing the operator with a longer time window for splicing. Currently known advantageous processes for changing feeder cassettes are performed "spot-time," meaning that a new feeder is replaced while the cassette is idle. Therefore, when SMT components are supplied via feeder cassettes, the feeder cassettes need to be replaced, preferably after the last component in the corresponding feeder cassette has been picked up. Advantageously, the feeder cassette replacement is completed before the planned pick of the next SMT component of the same type, allowing the placement unit to operate smoothly. However, a drawback of known supply systems is that for a large number of feeder cassettes, the feeder cassette replacement cycles overlap, disrupting the smooth and timely accurate operation of the placement unit.

[0004] In daily practice, many materials on a production line have the same package and are consumed in the same way on each PCB, resulting in many feeders running idle simultaneously. Since there may be hundreds of feeders operating on a production line, many feeders may be running idle at the same time or at similar times. If multiple feeders are running idle on different and / or the same placement units at the same time or at similar times, feeder cassette changes cannot be completed in a timely manner, thus wasting production time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a method for supplying SMT components from a feeder cassette to a surface mount device for SMT components, which overcomes at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages in a convenient and cost-effective manner.

[0006] This objective is achieved by the subject matter of the claims. Specifically, this objective is achieved by the method for supplying SMT components from a feeder cassette to a placement apparatus for SMT components according to claim 1, the supply system for supplying a feeder cassette containing SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components according to claim 10, the computer program product for supplying a feeder cassette containing SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components according to claim 11, and the computer-readable medium according to claim 12. Further details of the invention are shown in the other claims, as well as in the specification and drawings. Therefore, the features and details described in conjunction with the method, supply system, computer program product, and computer-readable medium for supplying SMT components from a feeder cassette to a placement apparatus for SMT components can be applied in combination with each other, and thus, the disclosure of various aspects of the invention can be referenced to or may be referenced to each other.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, the above objective is achieved by a method for supplying SMT components from feeder cassettes to a placement apparatus for SMT components, the placement apparatus having a plurality of slots for mounting feeder cassettes to transfer SMT components from each feeder cassette to the placement apparatus. The method includes the following steps:

[0008] - Determine the exhaustion time of the first feeder box in the first slot of the chip mounting device through the supply system;

[0009] - Before the first feeder box reaches its exhaustion time, a second feeder box is supplied to the second slot of the placement device via the supply system, wherein the second feeder box contains the same SMT components as the first feeder box.

[0010] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the method steps described above and below may be performed individually, together, once, multiple times, in parallel, and / or in any order consecutively. For example, designations as "first method step" and "second method step" do not imply any temporal order and / or priority. A preferred order of method steps includes performing the method steps in the listed order.

[0011] The first feeder cassette should be understood as the feeder cassette currently in use, relative to the placement device. Therefore, the first slot of the placement device is occupied by the first feeder cassette, and the placement device picks up SMT components from the first feeder cassette. The second feeder cassette should be understood as an interchangeable feeder cassette for the first feeder cassette. The second feeder cassette contains the same SMT components as the SMT components in the first feeder cassette. The same SMT components in the first and second feeder cassettes should be understood as both feeder cassettes containing the same SMT components to be supplied to the placement device. The second slot should be understood as an empty slot in the placement device into which the second feeder cassette can be inserted. The first feeder cassette, the second feeder cassette, and the first and second slots should be understood as each combination of the first feeder cassette in use and the replacement second feeder cassette, respectively, relative to the numerous feeder cassettes used with a typical placement device. The first and second slots of the placement device are understood relative to the corresponding feeder cassettes. The first and second slots of the placement unit can vary relative to different first feeder cassettes within multiple slots of the placement unit. Therefore, the definitions of the first feeder cassette, the second feeder cassette, and the first and second slots should be understood as relative rather than absolute definitions. Preferably, the supply system is capable of supplying multiple second feeder cassettes to the placement unit.

[0012] "Use-up time" should be understood as the time it takes to remove the last SMT component from the first feeder hopper. In other words, "Use-up time" defines the idle time of the first feeder hopper. Before the first feeder hopper reaches its use-up time, the supply system supplies the second feeder hopper to the second slot of the placement unit. Therefore, when the first feeder hopper is idle, wasted production time of the placement unit should be avoided or minimized.

[0013] The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it enables the convenient and cost-effective supply of SMT components from the feeder cassette to the placement apparatus for SMT components. Feeder cassette replacement can be performed with little or no wasted production time by the placement apparatus.

[0014] The method may further include, upon reaching the exhaustion time of the first feeder cassette, changing the pick-up position of the SMT component from the first feeder cassette to the second feeder cassette via the placement device and / or supply system. Changing the pick-up position of the SMT component from the first feeder cassette to the second feeder cassette is particularly advantageous. Preferably, the placement device and the supply system are connected to exchange data to transmit the new pick-up position of the SMT component. Therefore, the method according to the invention enables continuous production by changing the pick-up position of the SMT component from the first feeder cassette to the second feeder cassette via the placement device and / or supply system upon reaching the exhaustion time of the first feeder cassette. Preferably, the supply system sends a signal to the placement device containing which slot the second feeder cassette will be inserted into or has already been inserted into. Additionally or optionally, the placement device can identify, for example, which slot the second feeder cassette has been inserted into via a sensor unit.

[0015] In this method, determining the exhaustion time includes at least one of the following steps:

[0016] - Determine the consumption rate of SMT components in the first feeder box;

[0017] - Determine the number of SMT components in the first feeder hopper; and

[0018] - Determine the amount of free slots and / or free slots for each placement head, especially

[0019] The supply is based on the amount of available slots and is provided at regular intervals.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous to determine and / or calculate at least one of the aforementioned data for the first feeder cassette and / or the placement device. This determination can be understood as determining the current consumption rate, the number and / or quantity of idle slots, and / or as determining a prediction of the consumption rate, the number and / or quantity of idle slots. Particularly preferred is that the second feeder cassette is supplied to the second slot of the placement device based on the determined consumption rate, the number and / or quantity of idle slots. For example, if the supply system has idle capacity to supply more second feeder cassettes based on time and / or load, and the placement device has idle slots for those second feeder cassettes, the second feeder cassettes can be supplied in advance, thus providing a time buffer for the exhaustion time of the corresponding first feeder cassette, enabling the balancing of the supply system's load factor and / or a reduction in the future supply system's load factor. The aforementioned data can be determined and / or calculated once or continuously at constant or varying time intervals.

[0021] The method may further include the step of the supply system comparing the determined exhaust times of all feeder boxes to identify time supply conflicts. Preferably, the comparison is performed by a computer unit of the supply system. A time supply conflict should be understood as at least two exhaust times being too close to each other to allow the supply system to supply the corresponding feeder box in a timely manner. A time supply conflict should preferably be understood as a time conflict at the single-line level, for example, when the supply system is supplying feeder boxes to one or more placement units on a single line, or a time conflict at the multi-line level, for example, when the supply system is supplying feeder boxes to one or more placement units on multiple lines. For example, a time supply conflict occurs when the exhaust times of two first feeder boxes are within a time interval of one minute or less between their exhaust times. It is particularly advantageous that, for those first feeder boxes affected by time supply conflicts, the supply includes a preferred supply of second feeder boxes, since those feeder boxes will exhaust simultaneously or at similar times, resulting in a greater / longer waste of production time.

[0022] The method may also include allocating each first slot to a dedicated second slot and / or allocating at least two first slots to a shared second slot. This is particularly advantageous when each first slot is allocated to a dedicated second slot, as this minimizes or avoids space conflicts when supplying the second feeder cassette. In other cases, such as when space requirements and / or the number of available slots do not allow for the allocation of a dedicated second slot to each first slot, and / or when the consumption rate of SMT components is sufficiently low, a shared second slot may be allocated to at least two first slots. A shared slot should be understood as a second slot to which the second feeder cassettes for supplying at least two first slots are located. Preferably, the second feeder cassette is replaced in the original first slot after the first feeder cassette is removed and / or collected. The shared second slot is preferably designed to accommodate more than one feeder cassette.

[0023] Optionally, second feeder boxes for at least two first slots are supplied one after another to a shared second slot, wherein only one second feeder box can be installed in the shared second slot at a time.

[0024] The method may further include the step of removing and / or collecting the first feeder cassette after the first feeder cassette has reached its depletion time. Preferably, empty first feeder cassettes are removed from the slots of the placement unit to enable the reuse of those feeder cassettes and / or to free up space for supplying more second feeder cassettes to the placement unit. This is particularly advantageous when the supply system removes and / or collects multiple empty first feeder cassettes at a time. The supply system is preferably able to determine the number of empty feeder cassettes in the slots of the placement unit, especially wherein the removal of the first feeder cassettes is performed relative to a determined number of empty slots and / or a determined number of empty feeder cassettes in the slots of the placement unit.

[0025] The method may further include the step of prioritizing the supply, modification, and / or removal of feeder cassettes by the supply system according to at least one priority criterion. An advantageous improvement to the method is that the supply system prioritizes the supply, modification, and / or removal of feeder cassettes according to at least one priority criterion. The at least one priority criterion preferably includes the time between SMT component pick-ups by the placement unit, the frequency and / or rate of feeder cassette idle time, the number of SMT components currently being produced per PCB by the placement unit, and / or the number of SMT components remaining in the feeder cassette. Prioritizing the supply, modification, and / or removal of feeder cassettes by the supply system according to at least one priority criterion allows the supply system to maximize the efficiency of the placement unit, thereby reducing production costs and wasted production time.

[0026] The method may further include steps involving the supply and / or removal of feeder cassettes by the supply system in synchronizing with the operation of the placement device. The supply, alteration, and / or removal of feeder cassettes typically causes vibration and / or movement of the placement device. These vibrations and / or movements can negatively impact the accuracy of SMT component placement by the placement device. Therefore, it is advantageous to synchronize, time, and / or coordinate the supply and / or removal of feeder cassettes between the supply system and the placement device, such that the supply and / or removal of feeder cassettes is performed even when, for example, no SMT components are being placed and / or picked up by the placement device. Preferably, the supply system and the placement device are connected via data communication to achieve synchronization according to the invention. For example, the supply system sends a request to the placement device whether the feeder cassette can be supplied and / or removed. The placement device may receive, reject, and / or delay this request. The supply system may wait for confirmation from the placement device and / or, if no confirmation is received for a specified time value, execute another process step. Therefore, the method according to the invention advantageously prevents negative impacts on the accuracy of SMT component placement by the placement device, or at least reduces the impact of supplying and / or removing feeder cassettes.

[0027] The method may further include the step of determining the distance between at least two empty slots of the placement apparatus and the placement apparatus, particularly the placement area of ​​the placement apparatus, wherein the second feeder cassette is supplied to the empty slot closest to the at least two empty slots. This advantageous improvement of the method of the invention enables the placement head of the placement apparatus to achieve a short travel distance between the placement area of ​​the placement apparatus and the SMT components supplied by the second feeder cassette. Particularly advantageously, at least one priority criterion as described above is also considered. For example, when comparing at least two second feeder cassettes that need to be supplied to the placement apparatus in the near future, the second feeder cassette having the most SMT components used in currently produced PCBs is preferably placed in the slot closest to the placement area. In other words, the feeder cassette with the highest SMT component consumption rate is preferably placed in the slot closest to the placement area of ​​the placement apparatus. Therefore, the production efficiency of the placement apparatus is improved, and the travel time of the placement head between the pick-up area and the placement area for SMT components is reduced.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, the initially stated objective is achieved by a supply system for supplying feeder cassettes containing SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components. The supply system is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect. Using the described supply system, all the advantages already outlined regarding the method according to the first aspect of the invention can be obtained. The supply system preferably has a motion device. For example, the motion device is designed as a track-guided motion device or a freely moving motion device. For example, the motion device includes a clamping device for interacting with, picking up, and / or conveying, the feeder cassette. In the context of the invention, the supply system is capable of picking up, for example, feeder cassettes from a storage location and / or preparation device, and subsequently supplying them to the placement apparatus. Preferably, the supply system includes a communication device, wherein the communication device enables data communication between the devices. Preferably, the supply system utilizes the same motion device for supplying and removing feeder cassettes. Exemplarily, the motion device is designed as a mobile robot device having grippers for supplying and / or removing feeder cassettes. The supply system preferably has a computer unit for performing the method steps at least in segments. The computer unit is preferably integrated into at least one motion device and / or designed separately. Preferably, the computer unit is designed to control and / or regulate the motion device of the supply system. Furthermore, the computer unit is preferably designed to detect the utilization rate of the supply system, for example, to adjust the supply timing of the feeder cassette based on the utilization rate of the supply system. A supply system configured in this way is advantageous because it can supply SMT components from the feeder cassette to at least one placement device most smoothly. Preferably, the supply system according to the invention is designed to supply multiple placement devices. The supply system according to the invention advantageously avoids or at least reduces waiting time for the placement devices to supply the feeder cassette. Preferably, the placement device includes a feeder table, particularly wherein the feeder table is designed to mount the feeder cassette therein and / or the feeder table includes multiple slots. The feeder table is preferably designed to attach to and / or connect to the pick-up unit and / or placement unit of the placement device.

[0029] According to a third aspect of the invention, the initially stated objective is achieved by a computer program product for supplying a feeder cassette with SMT components to a placement apparatus for SMT components. This computer program product includes instructions to cause the supply system according to the second aspect to execute the method according to the first aspect. Using the described computer program product, all the advantages already outlined regarding the method according to the first aspect and the supply system according to the second aspect can be obtained.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the initially stated objectives are achieved by a computer-readable medium on which a computer program product according to the third aspect is stored. Using the described computer-readable medium, all the advantages already outlined regarding the method according to the first aspect of the invention and the supply system according to the second aspect can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The following description illustrates other advantages, features, and details of the invention, wherein references Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Therefore, the features in the claims and those mentioned in the specification are essential to the present invention and can be used alone or in any combination. The accompanying drawings schematically illustrate:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a supply system for supplying SMT components from a feeder cassette to a placement apparatus.

[0033] Figure 2 The diagram shows the timing of the three feeder boxes and their exhaustion times.

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a computer program product and a computer-readable medium.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[0036] Figures 1 to 4 The same objects in the figures are labeled with the same reference numerals. The objects are shown in a schematic manner, and their specific dimensions are exemplary and may be enlarged for ease of reference only.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0038] 10 feeder boxes

[0039] 12 SMT components

[0040] 100 Supply System

[0041] 150 patch assembly

[0042] 152 slots

[0043] 200 methods

[0044] 202 confirmed

[0045] 204 supply

[0046] 206 changes

[0047] 208 removed

[0048] 210 Priority Sort

[0049] 212 Synchronization

[0050] 214 confirmed

[0051] 216 comparison

[0052] 218 confirmed

[0053] 220 confirmed

[0054] 222 confirmed

[0055] 300 computer program products

[0056] 400 computer-readable media

[0057] t1 ran out of time

[0058] PA mounting area

[0059] PC Priority Standard

[0060] TC time supply conflict. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a supply system 100 is shown, which supplies SMT components 12 from feeder cassettes 10 to a placement apparatus 150. The placement apparatus 150 has a plurality of slots 152 for mounting feeder cassettes 10 to transfer SMT components 12 from each feeder cassette 10 to the placement apparatus 150. The supply system 100 is capable of determining an exhaustion time t1 (not shown) of a first feeder cassette 10 in a first slot 152 of the placement apparatus 150. Furthermore, the supply system 100 is capable of supplying a second feeder cassette 10 to a second slot 152 of the placement apparatus 150 before the exhaustion time t1 (not shown) of the first feeder cassette 10 is reached, wherein the second feeder cassette 10 includes the same SMT components 12 as those in the first feeder cassette 10. Furthermore, when the first feeder cassette 10 reaches its exhaustion time t1 (not shown), the supply system 100 is able to change the pick-up position of the SMT component 12 from the first feeder cassette 10 to the second feeder cassette 10. Additionally, the supply system 100 is able to determine the distance between at least two empty slots 152 of the placement device 150 and the placement area PA of the placement device 150, wherein the second feeder cassette 10 is supplied to the empty slot closest to the at least two empty slots 152. Figure 1 In the middle, slot 152, which is closest to the mounting area PA, is shown on the right.

[0062] Figure 2A timeline of three first feeder boxes 10 and their exhaustion times t1 are shown, along with a schematic diagram of an embodiment of method 200. The determined exhaustion times t1 of all feeder boxes 10 are compared by the supply system 100 (not shown) to identify time supply conflicts TC. Figure 2 In the process, a time supply conflict is identified between the lower and middle first feeder boxes 10. The supply system 100 (not shown) prioritizes the supply 204 for the second feeder box 10 for the lower first feeder box 10 according to the priority criterion PC. Therefore, the supply of the second feeder box 10 for the lower first feeder box 10 has a time buffer. Before the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder box 10 is reached, the supply 204 is used for the second feeder boxes 10 of the middle and upper first feeder boxes 10, wherein the second feeder box 10 includes the same SMT components 12 (not shown) as in the first feeder box.

[0063] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a computer program product 300 and a computer-readable medium 400 is shown. The computer program product 300 is designed to supply a feeder cassette 10 having SMT components 12 to a placement apparatus 150 for the SMT components 12, and includes instructions to cause a supply system 100 according to a second aspect of the invention to perform a method 200 according to a first aspect of the invention. The computer-readable medium 400 stores the computer program product 300 according to a third aspect of the invention.

[0064] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the method 200 of the present invention is shown. For the sake of brevity, in Figure 4Only the reference numerals for the method steps are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the first step, method 200 includes determining, 202, the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder cassette 10 in the first slot 152 of the placement apparatus 150 via the supply system 100. In a further step, method 200 includes supplying, 204, a second feeder cassette 10 to the second slot 152 of the placement apparatus 150 via the supply system 100 before the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder cassette 10 is reached, wherein the second feeder cassette 10 includes the same SMT components 12 as those in the first feeder cassette 10. In a further step, method 200 includes, upon reaching the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder cassette 10, changing, 206, the pick-up position of the SMT components 12 from the first feeder cassette 10 to the second feeder cassette 10 via the placement apparatus 150 and / or via the supply system 100. In a further step, method 200 includes removing 208 the first feeder cassette 10 after the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder cassette 10 is reached. In a further step, method 200 includes removing 208 the first feeder cassette 10 after the exhaustion time t1 of the first feeder cassette 10 is reached. In a further step, method 200 includes prioritizing 210 the supply 204, alteration 206, and / or removal 208 of the feeder cassette 10 according to at least one priority criterion PC. In a further step, method 200 includes synchronizing 212 the supply 204, alteration 206, and / or removal 208 of the feeder cassette 10 with the operation of the placement device 150. In a further step, method 200 includes determining 214 the distance between at least two empty slots 152 of the placement device 150 and the placement device 150, particularly the placement area PA of the placement device 150, wherein the second feeder cassette 10 is supplied to the empty slot closest to the at least two empty slots 152. In a further step, method 200 includes comparing 216 the determined exhaustion time t1 of all feeder cassettes 10 by the supply system 100 to identify time supply conflicts TC. In a further step, method 200 includes determining 218 the consumption rate of SMT components in the first feeder cassette 10. In a further step, method 200 includes determining 220 the quantity of SMT components in the first feeder cassette 10. In a further step, method 200 includes determining 222 the quantity of empty slots 152, particularly wherein the supply is timed 204 based on the determined quantity of empty slots 152.

Claims

1. A method (200) for supplying SMT components (12) from feeder cassettes (10) to a placement device (150) for the SMT components (12), the placement device (150) having a plurality of slots (152) for mounting the feeder cassettes (10) to transfer the SMT components (12) from each feeder cassette (10) to the placement device (150), the method (200) comprising the following steps: - The exhaustion time (t1) of the first feeder box (10) in the first slot (152) of the patch assembly (150) is determined by the supply system (100); and - Before the exhaustion time (t1) of the first feeder box (10) is reached, the second feeder box (10) is supplied (204) to the second slot (152) of the placement device (150) by the supply system (100), wherein the second feeder box (10) includes the same SMT components (12) as in the first feeder box (10). The method (200) further includes: - Determine (214) the distance between at least two free slots (152) of the placement device (150) and the placement area (PA) of the placement device (150), wherein the second feeder box (10) is supplied to the free slot closest to the placement area (PA) among the at least two free slots (152).

2. The method (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method (200) further includes: - When the exhaust time (t1) of the first feeder box (10) is reached, the pick-up position of the SMT component (12) of the first feeder box (10) is changed (206) from the first feeder box (10) to the second feeder box (10) by means of the placement device (150) and / or by means of the supply system (100).

3. The method (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining (202) the exhaustion time (t1) includes at least one of the following steps: - Determine (218) the consumption rate of the SMT components in the first feeder box (10); - Determine (220) the number of SMT components in the first feeder box (10); as well as - Determine (222) the amount of the free slot (152), wherein the supply (204) is timed according to the determined amount of the free slot (152).

4. The method (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method (200) further includes: - The supply system (100) compares (216) the determined exhaust time (t1) of all feeder boxes (10) in order to identify time supply conflicts (TC).

5. The method (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method (200) further includes: - After the exhaustion time (t1) of the first feeder box (10) is reached, the first feeder box (10) is removed (208).

6. The method (200) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method (200) further includes: - The supply system (100) prioritizes the supply (204), the change (206) and / or the removal (208) of the feeder box (10) according to at least one priority criterion (PC) (210).

7. The method (200) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method (200) further includes: - The supply system (100) synchronizes the supply (204), the change (206) and / or the removal (208) of the feeder box (10) with the operation of the patch device (150) (212).

8. A supply system (100) for supplying a feeder cassette (10) having an SMT component (12) to a placement device (150) for said SMT component (12), characterized in that, The supply system (100) is configured to perform the method according to claim 1.

9. A computer program product (300) for supplying a feeder cassette (10) having SMT components (12) to a placement device (150) for said SMT components (12), characterized in that, The computer program product (300) includes instructions that cause the supply system (100) according to claim 8 to perform the method (200) according to claim 1.

10. A computer-readable medium (400) thereon storing the computer program product (300) according to claim 9.

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