Patent ID: 8151448

Claim:
A component placement apparatus for transporting trays between a tray storing device and a pickup area comprising: a tray storing device having slots that are configured to store trays that are configured to contain components, the tray storing device comprising: a first part positioned proximal the pickup area and including a first set of the slots, wherein the first set of slots in the first part is configured to store trays (i) from which at least one component may be removed and/or (ii) that are expected to be needed at the pickup area in a short term; and a second part positioned distal the pickup area and including a second set of the slots, wherein the second set of the slots in the second part is configured to store trays, which are empty, full, or are not expected to be needed in the pickup area in the short term; a tray transporting device that is configured to transport a tray from the tray storing device to the pickup area; a controller that is programmed to control and controls the transport of the trays into and out of the tray storing device, wherein the controller is programmed to determine and determines whether a tray should be stored in either (a) the first set of the slots for storing trays (i) from which at least one component may be removed and/or (ii) that are expected to be needed at the pickup area in a short term, and not the second set of the slots or (b) the second set of the slots for storing trays, which are empty, full, or are not expected to be needed in the pickup area in the short term, and not the first set of the slots; and at least one component pickup and placement device that is configured to pickup a component from a tray located in the pickup area and to place the component on a substrate.