Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1544155
72 SMT007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2026 S M A RT AU TO M AT I O N Receiving: Where Traceability Begins Every component's journey starts at receiving. At this stage, reels are logged into inventory. Part numbers, quantities, lot codes, date codes, and MSD levels are entered into the manufacturer's internal system, and components are prepared for storage. Depending on the level of traceability required, manufacturers often use this information to create a Unique ID (UID), which is critical across several aspects of the manufacturing process, including quantity tracking, FIFO enforcement, MSD tracking, and reference designator-level traceability. Accuracy is critical because any mistakes intro- duced during receiving can follow the component throughout the rest of the production process. For example, if a reel is misla- beled, the effects can be catastrophic, as no setup verification system can flag a mislabeled reel. If an incorrect part is scanned to the machine with what is seemingly the correct UID, the only chance of catching this incorrect component is at inspec- tion and test. Often, these components can escape initial inspection, and once WIP builds up at test, the manufacturer is saddled with hours or even days' worth of rework. The good news is, there are ways to mitigate mislabeling a reel. Automated receiving stations now exist, with technology capable of quickly and accurately extracting the important data from the reel (part number, quantity, etc.) utilizing an upward- facing camera. This eliminates the opportunity for an operator to mistype long, complex strings of data or to scan the wrong barcode for a particular field. Some of these systems can even error-proof receiving by forcing the operator to attach the newly printed UID label to the reel and rescan the entire reel to ensure the new label matches the old data. Receiving may seem routine, but it establishes the foundation for the rest of the component's path through the factory. Storage: Organizing the Material Warehouse Once received, components are moved to storage, where the largest variety of systems and processes can be found. Some manufacturers rely on tradi- tional static shelving systems, while others utilize automated storage towers, vertical carousels, or pick-to-light systems to manage inventory. Regardless of the technology used, the goal is to maintain the visibility and accessibility of thousands of individual components. In high-mix environments, the ability to quickly locate and retrieve the correct reels becomes critical to maintaining production flow. For many, component storage is a completely manual process with an operator tasked with printing out a paper pick- list and picking compo- nents one by one from static shelving locations across the warehouse. This process can be inef- ficient, as it lends itself to a variety of human errors. Many companies struggle with enforcing FIFO, pulling and returning compo- nents to the correct location, and spending hours to pull a single job. An emphasis on materials automation is taking hold in the electronics manufacturing industry, with many manufacturers now turning their attention to this area. The opportunity for ROI is staggering, with automated solutions that can pull and return reels robotically, automatically track parts consumption, enforce FIFO, save space, assist in production plan- ning, and control/track humidity for moisture-sensi- tive devices. These add up to a rapid ROI when implemented properly.