Method, system and device for identifying a bin in an SMT system

A method in an automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse configured to store bins at one or more particular positions within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, said automated SMD warehouse including an actuator configured to automatically handle objects within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, said method comprising:

• receiving a bin at a port of said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse, wherein said bin includes a plurality of slots or compartments that are each configured to hold a separate bin load unit of a plurality of bin load units, and wherein each separate bin load unit of said plurality of bin load units includes a separate component tape reel;
• scanning an identity tag attached to said bin to obtain a unique bin ID, wherein an identity of a bin load unit held in said bin is associated with said unique bin ID in an SMT information database;
• storing, by the actuator, said bin at a position within said automated Surface Mount Device (SMD) warehouse;
• and
• storing data representing said position and said unique bin ID, via a communications network, as parameters in said SMT information database.