Automated loading of feeders with belt rollers

The Auto Kitting Station can be integrated with FUJI’s NXTR A-Series placement machines, the Smart Storage System, as well as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated storage solutions from various manufacturers. FUJI has developed the world’s first system that automates the loading of tape reels into feeders, working in conjunction with an automated collection and transport system for tape reels and feeders that operates according to production schedules (according to FUJI research, as of May 2026).

This seamlessly integrates the entire process, from storage to the delivery of electronic components in SMT manufacturing environments. This contributes to unmanned operation in areas of production preparation.

Background of the development

The automation of SMT processes has made significant strides in recent years. FUJI is driving automation across all process steps: from component storage and management to transport and production preparation support both within and outside production lines, all the way to the realization of smart factories.

Through the further development of the NXTR A model created by FUJI and the integrated production system NEXIM, as well as through collaboration with AMRs from various manufacturers, the automation of component supply both within and outside of production lines has been achieved. However, setup processes in the areas of production preparation continued to rely on manual labor. Particularly in production environments with a high variety of product variants and small batch sizes, this led to challenges such as increased labor requirements during product changeovers and difficulties in securing sufficient personnel.

The Auto Kitting Station was developed to address these challenges by automating setup processes. In doing so, it drives automation in the areas of production preparation and contributes to the implementation of unmanned SMT processes.

Benefits of the Auto Kitting Station

Labor savings and stable operation through automated setup:
Setup processes involve delicate steps such as the pre-processing of webbing and the loading of webbing rolls into feeders, which previously made automation difficult and required manual labor. The new solution automates the entire setup process—from removing empty belt rolls after components have been used up, to reading roll IDs and pre-processing the belts, all the way to loading the belt rolls into feeders. This stabilizes work quality and standardizes processing times, while simultaneously reducing the workload on operators.

Support for widely used 8-mm tape packaging:
The system unit supports 8-mm tape packaging, which accounts for a large proportion of the small electronic components commonly used in SMT processes. By supporting the most commonly used tape format, the unit is suitable for a wide range of applications in real-world manufacturing environments, thereby facilitating comprehensive implementation in production.

Full SMT floor automation through integration with connected systems:
The Auto Kitting Station goes beyond the mere automation of setup processes and can be connected to the NXTR A-model, the Smart Storage System, AMRs, and automated storage systems. This creates a seamless workflow from component storage and provisioning through to placement, enabling the automation of the entire SMT floor. This not only improves production efficiency but also accelerates unmanned operation of all SMT processes, thereby helping to create a stable production environment despite a shortage of skilled workers.