FUJI Introduces the World’s First Auto Kitting Station for Automated Loading of Component Reels into Feeders
Accelerating Lights-Out Manufacturing with the Final Missing Piece of SMT Floor Automation
Kelsterbach, June 2nd, 2026 – FUJI CORPORATION, headquartered in Japan, has developed the Auto Kitting Station, a new system unit that automates the loading of component reels into feeders used for component supply in placement machines. This kitting and setup process has traditionally been difficult to automate and has relied heavily on manual labor.
The Auto Kitting Station integrates seamlessly with FUJI’s NXTR A-series placement platforms, the Smart Storage system, as well as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated warehouse solutions from various manufacturers. According to FUJI research conducted in May 2026, it is the world’s first system to automate the loading of component reels into feeders while operating in conjunction with an automated collection and transportation system for reels and feeders that works according to production schedules.
By creating a seamless connection between component storage and component supply on the SMT shop floor, the solution supports lights-out operation in production preparation areas and takes SMT factory automation to the next level.
Background
Automation in SMT manufacturing has advanced significantly in recent years. FUJI has continuously expanded automation across the entire production process—from component storage and inventory management to transportation, production preparation, and line support—both inside and outside the manufacturing line, with the goal of enabling truly smart factories.
Through the expansion of the NXTR A platform, FUJI’s integrated production software NEXIM, and collaboration with AMRs from various suppliers, automation of component supply processes has already been achieved both on and off the production line. However, setup and kitting operations in preparation areas have remained largely dependent on manual labor.
In high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments, this dependency has resulted in increased workloads during product changeovers and growing challenges in securing sufficient labor resources.
The Auto Kitting Station was developed specifically to address these challenges by automating setup and kitting operations. As a result, it extends automation into production preparation areas and contributes to the realization of fully automated SMT manufacturing processes.
Key Benefits of the Auto Kitting Station
Reduced Labor Requirements and Stable Operations Through Automated Kitting:
Kitting operations involve delicate tasks such as tape preparation and loading component reels into feeders, making them particularly difficult to automate. Consequently, these processes have traditionally relied on manual work.
The Auto Kitting Station automates the entire workflow—from removing empty reels after components have been consumed, reading reel IDs, and preparing carrier tapes, to loading component reels into feeders. This helps standardize process times, ensure consistent quality, and significantly reduce operator workload.
Support for Widely Used 8 mm Tape Packaging:
The system supports 8 mm tape packaging, which accounts for a large proportion of the small electronic components commonly used in SMT production.
By supporting the industry’s most widely used component packaging format, the Auto Kitting Station addresses a broad range of real-world manufacturing applications and facilitates widespread adoption on the factory floor.
End-to-End SMT Floor Automation Through System Integration:
The Auto Kitting Station goes beyond automating standalone kitting operations. It integrates with the NXTR A platform, Smart Storage, AMRs, and automated warehouse systems to create a seamless workflow from component storage and supply through to placement.
This enables automation across the entire SMT floor, improving productivity while accelerating lights-out manufacturing throughout SMT operations. At the same time, it helps manufacturers establish stable production environments despite ongoing labor shortages.
World Premiere at JISSO PROTEC 2026
FUJI will officially unveil the Auto Kitting Station at JISSO PROTEC 2026, one of the leading exhibitions for electronics assembly and packaging technologies, taking place from June 10–12, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
Visitors to Booth 4G-09, Hall 4 will be able to experience live demonstrations showcasing how automation can be extended into production preparation areas.g block within THT production.
