SMD Warehouse Bin Retrieval for Faster, Error-Free SMT Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Surface Mount Technology (SMT) systems face challenges in efficiently handling and retrieving components from automated warehouses, particularly in preparing for upcoming SMT jobs, as they require manual loading of component tape reels and risk erroneous loading due to the complexity of the process.

Innovation Solution

An automated system using a robotic actuator in the SMT warehouse that retrieves and presents pre-loaded bins containing component tape reels based on input data and parameters related to upcoming SMT jobs, eliminating manual loading steps and reducing errors by associating bin and tape reel identities through scanning technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual loading of component tape reels is performed, then flexibility in handling different components is maintained, but error rate increases and preparation time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading accuracyVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads bins with component tape reels before they are needed for SMT jobs. The automated warehouse prepares bins in advance by loading the correct components based on upcoming job requirements, so that when a bin is retrieved, it is already ready for immediate use without requiring manual loading at the time of need.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated warehouse system performs self-service by automatically retrieving bins, presenting them at output ports, and managing the component supply process without human intervention. The system uses robotic actuators to handle bins and tape reels, automatically associating component identities with feeder positions, thereby eliminating manual operations and their associated errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated retrieval system is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent retrieval speedVSAvoidwarehouse system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated warehouse system is designed as a multi-functional unit that can store multiple types of components, retrieve bins of different sizes, present them at various output ports, and integrate with different SMT machine types. This universal design allows a single system to handle diverse SMT job requirements without needing separate specialized systems for each component type or machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3047714B1Method, system and device for improved storage and handling of components
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 MYCRONIC
  • EP3047714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3047714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3047714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for retrieving and presenting objects in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse adapted to obtain information related to upcoming SMT jobs, the method comprising receiving at least one of input data and a parameter representing a position within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse; retrieving a bin from said position within said automated SMD warehouse at least partly based on said at least one of input data and/or a parameter representing said position within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse; and -presenting said retrieved bin at, or close to, an output port, such as an opening, of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse.