Smart containers and/or boxes handled by, and stored in, automated SMD warehouse
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.
1. A container for use in a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system comprising a Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, the container comprising:
an outer shell having side walls and a base defining at least one compartment to accommodate an SMT-job related object;
a cover configured to at least partly enclose the at least one compartment; and
a display unit configured to display information related to the SMT-job related object;
wherein the container has an outer shape allowing the container to be transported by an actuator of the SMD warehouse,
wherein the display unit is an electronic alphanumerical display that is configured to display information including at least one of
alphanumeric information, or
an optically scannable code.
2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has a shape conforming to a shape of a component tape reel.
3. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one compartment is a plurality of compartments to accommodate a plurality of SMT-job related objects.
4. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is a removable lid for retaining the SMT-job related object in the at least one compartment.
5. The container according to claim 1 , comprising an identity tag storing a unique identity of the container in the SMT system.
6. The container according to claim 5 , wherein the unique identity is associated with the SMT-job related object.
7. The container according to claim 5 , wherein the identity tag comprises a barcode or RFID tag.
8. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit is further configured to display SMT-job related information retrieved from an SMT database of the SMT system.
9. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit is further configured to display information associated with a unique identity of the container in the SMT system.
10. The container according to claim 1 , further comprising an input device.
11. The container according to claim 10 , wherein said input device is operably connected to the display unit so as to trigger a change of information displayed on the display unit.
12. The container according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment has a shape allowing the compartment to store at least one of the following SMT-job related objects:
components in plastic bags;
components without a component reel;
components on a component reel with an attached feeder;
tools;
fixtures;
JEDEC trays;
printed circuit boards; and
board supports.
13. A Surface Mount Technology (SMT) system, comprising:
at least one container, the at least one container including
an outer shell having side walls and a base defining at least one compartment to accommodate an SMT-job related object,
a cover configured to at least partly enclose the at least one compartment, and
a display unit configured to display information related to the SMT-job related object;
a Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse;
an SMT database; and
a controller,
wherein the at least one container has an outer shape allowing the at least one container to be transported by an actuator of the SMD warehouse,
wherein the SMT database is configured to store an identity of the SMT-job related object, an identity of the at least one container, and a storage location of the at least one container within the SMD warehouse.
14. The SMT system according to claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit input data to the at least one container, and wherein the display unit is configured to receive the input data and display information related to said input data.
15. The SMT system according to claim 14 , wherein said input data comprises information associated with an ongoing and/or an upcoming SMT job.
16. The SMT system according to claim 13 , further comprising a wireless communication network configured to send information between the SMT database and at least one of the container, the controller and the SMD warehouse.
17. The SMT system according to claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit said input data upon request by an operator.
18. The SMT system according to claim 14 , wherein said input data are associated with a certain changeover process, replenishment work or kitting work.
19. The SMT system according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one container is a plurality of stackable containers.
20. The SMT system according to claim 19 , wherein each stackable container of the plurality of stackable containers comprises at least one orientation pin and a at least one recess, and wherein the orientation pin of a first stackable container of the plurality of stackable containers is configured to engage with the recess of a second one of the plurality of stackable containers when stacked.