Neotel Technology
● Fully Automatic Storage Hub

Fully Automatic SMT Smart Storage
Store · Retrieve · Return — One System, Three Core Steps

SMD BOX is the fully automatic storage hub at the heart of Neotel’s material management ecosystem. It handles storage, retrieval, and return — three of the six steps in the SMT material loop — across 11 purpose-built models. Whether you need a single-channel entry point or up to 20,000 reels of capacity, and whether you store standard reels, solder paste, moisture-sensitive devices, or totes, there is an SMD BOX built for the job.

CORE POSITIONING

The Storage Hub of the Material Loop

SMD BOX sits at the center of the SMT material lifecycle, managing storage on inbound, work-order retrieval on outbound, and automatic return after counting. It is the most frequently used equipment in a fully automatic material workflow.

1
Register
Scan incoming barcodes
Generate unique digital ID
NEO SCAN
2
Store
Automatic slot assignment
Intelligent bin management
SMD BOX
3
Retrieve
Work-order-based retrieval
FIFO automatically enforced
SMD BOX
4
Production
SMT placement production
Powering Your Production
Material Ready
5
Count
X-ray counting of remaining qty
Update inventory records
NEO COUNTER
⑥ Return: After counting, remaining materials are automatically returned to SMD BOX → back to Step ②, ready for the next retrieval — the loop continues
3/6

Three of Six Steps — The Storage Hub

SMD BOX handles storage (②), retrieval (③), and return (⑥) — three out of six steps in the material loop. No other equipment in the fully automatic workflow touches as many stages.

CAPACITY SELECTION

Four Capacity Tiers, Scale as You Grow

SMD BOX offers four capacity tiers — from a single-channel entry model to a 20,000-reel flagship. Choose the model that fits your current throughput, then scale up or deploy in parallel as your operation grows. Your investment stays protected.

Want the complete package? SMD BOX ONE builds on XLR storage and adds integrated registration + counting — one machine for the entire workflow. Learn about SMD BOX ONE →
SCENARIO SOLUTIONS

Six Specialized Scenarios, One Core Platform

Built on the SMD BOX core platform, six scenario-specific models address everything from inline integration to solder paste storage and moisture-sensitive device management.

FLAGSHIP PRODUCT

All-in-One: SMD BOX ONE

SMD BOX ONE integrates material registration, high-capacity storage, and precision counting into a single machine. One system covers every step of the material loop except production itself — maximum space efficiency, minimum process complexity, built for large-scale factories that want it all.

SMD BOX ONE All-in-One Smart Storage with Registration and Counting - Neotel Technology
NEO SCAN PLUS
Auto Registration
+
SMD BOX XLR
High-Capacity Storage
+
NEO COUNTER X800
Auto X-ray Counting
=
SMD BOX ONE
All-in-One Flagship
Explore SMD BOX ONE →    Integrated vs. Separate ROI Analysis →
MODEL COMPARISON

All 11 Models at a Glance

Match the right model to your line size and material types. Compare across the capacity line and scenario line below.

Capacity Line: SISO → MIMO → DUO → XLR
Comparison SISO MIMO DUO XLR
Positioning Entry-level, single reel in/out Batch in/out, higher automation Balanced dual-channel Extra-large flagship storage
Input / Output 1 shared I/O port 2 I/O ports — one single-piece, one batch 1 input, up to 2 outputs Multiple inputs and outputs
Capacity Up to 1,000 reels Up to 1,000 reels Up to 4,000 reels Up to 20,000 reels
Storage Type Standard reels Standard reels Standard reels Standard reels
Recommended Scale 1–2 lines / small batch 3+ lines / high-frequency retrieval 2–4 lines / medium-to-large 5+ lines / centralized warehouse
Key Features Smallest footprint, fast deployment Parallel retrieval, highest throughput Simultaneous dual-direction access Up to 20,000 reels, upgradeable to ONE
Integrated Registration / Counting Upgradeable to ONE
Scenario Line + Flagship
Comparison BOXi HYBRID XLC XLM SP SPC MSD ONE
Positioning Inline point-of-use storage Mixed-format storage Tote management PCB magazine storage Solder paste storage Solder paste lifecycle MSD dry cabinet All-in-one flagship
Storage Type Standard reels Reels + tubes + tape Totes / bins PCB magazines Solder paste jars Solder paste jars Moisture-sensitive devices Standard reels
Recommended Scale Per-line deployment High-SKU mixed lines Tote-level material mgmt. SMT + assembly lines All scales High-compliance factories Lines with MSD materials 5+ lines / large factories
Key Features Direct pick-and-place integration Multi-packaging co-storage Tote-level auto storage/retrieval FIFO/LIFO strategy + event logging Refrigeration + rewarming + mixing Traceability + alerts + IPC compliance Floor Life tracking Registration + storage + counting in one
Integrated Registration / Counting Built-in auto registration and X-ray counting
CROSS-SERIES COMPARISON

Don’t Need Full Automation? Meet NEO LIGHT

Neotel offers two parallel product lines based on your automation level and budget:

Fully Automatic
SMD BOX

Fully automatic storage and retrieval, unmanned operation, built for large-scale lines and high-compliance factories. 11 models cover every scenario. Ideal when you need maximum efficiency, strict compliance, and have the budget for full automation.

  • Standard reel storage: SISO / MIMO / DUO / XLR
  • MSD management: SMD BOX MSD automatic dry cabinet
  • Solder paste: SP solder paste storage + SPC lifecycle tracking
  • All-in-one flagship: SMD BOX ONE
Semi-Automatic
NEO LIGHT

Light-guided picking with manual handling — low investment, fast deployment, ideal for small-to-medium lines or factories transitioning to smart warehousing. The right choice when you want smart upgrades at lower cost.

  • Standard reel storage: Smart Shelf / Plus
  • MSD management: NEO LIGHT MBB moisture barrier
  • Mobile deployment: Mobile / Mobile Plus
  • Stencil storage: Stencil (no fully automatic equivalent)
Explore NEO LIGHT →
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About SMD BOX

Common questions about model selection, integration, and operations

With 11 SMD BOX models, how do I choose the right one for my factory?
Selection is based on two dimensions: capacity needs and application scenario. The capacity line is tiered by reel count — SISO (Single Input Single Output, up to 1,000 reels), MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output, up to 1,000 reels with batch handling), DUO (dual-channel, up to 4,000 reels), XLR (Extra Large Reel, up to 20,000 reels). The scenario line is split by material type — standard reels (capacity models), solder paste (SP/SPC), moisture-sensitive devices (MSD), totes (XLC), PCB magazines (XLM), and inline (BOXi). If you need registration + storage + counting in one unit, choose the flagship SMD BOX ONE.
Can SMD BOX integrate with our existing ERP/MES system?
Yes. All SMD BOX models are managed through Neotel’s SMF (Smart Material Flow) software, which provides standard APIs for bidirectional data exchange with SAP, Oracle, and other major ERP systems, as well as all common MES platforms. Material in/out records, inventory status, and traceability data sync to your host system in real time.
What is the typical ROI payback period compared to traditional shelving?
Based on customer feedback, the typical payback period for SMD BOX is 12–18 months. Key savings include: material search time reduced by over 90%, inventory accuracy up to 99.9%, material expiration waste cut by 80%, and manual stock-take labor reduced by 95%. Use our ROI Calculator for a customized estimate.
What material types can SMD BOX handle? Is it limited to standard reels?
Not at all. Beyond standard 7″/13″/15″ reels, the scenario line covers multiple form factors: SP/SPC for refrigerated solder paste management, MSD for moisture-sensitive device dry storage, XLC for tote-level bulk materials, XLM for PCB magazine storage, and HYBRID for mixed-size and mixed-format materials in one system.
What are the facility requirements for installing SMD BOX?
SMD BOX uses a modular design with flexible footprint requirements: SISO needs only ~2 m², MIMO ~4–6 m², and DUO/XLR varies by configuration. Standard industrial power (220V/380V) and a network connection are all that’s needed. Installation and commissioning typically complete within 1–3 days, with full on-site guidance and training from Neotel. The BOXi model is designed specifically for inline integration directly alongside SMT pick-and-place lines.
Can SMD BOX handle moisture-sensitive devices (MSD)?
Yes. SMD BOX can maintain humidity as low as 5% RH when connected to an external dry air source. If your factory does not have a centralized dry air supply, Neotel can provide a dedicated dryer unit as an add-on. For full MSD lifecycle management — including automatic MSD level classification, Floor Life countdown, and IPC J-STD-033D compliance — pair the storage system with the SMD BOX MSD dry storage cabinet.
Can SMD BOX store JEDEC trays, not just reels?
Yes. SMD BOX SISO and MIMO can handle JEDEC trays with the help of a purpose-designed carrier. The tray is placed into the carrier, and the carrier is then stored in the machine just like a standard reel. This approach keeps tray-packaged components fully integrated into the same automated workflow. Combined with MSD humidity control, it provides complete environmental protection for moisture-sensitive tray components throughout storage.
Not sure if I need full automation — is there a lower-cost option?
If your budget is limited or you prefer a phased upgrade, consider the NEO LIGHT Smart Shelf series. NEO LIGHT uses light-guided picking with manual handling — lower investment, faster deployment, ideal for small-to-medium lines. When you’re ready for full automation, you can seamlessly transition to SMD BOX. Both product lines are managed through the same SMF software platform.

Find the Best SMD BOX Solution for Your Production

Not sure which model fits? Our solution consultants will recommend the best configuration based on your line scale, material types, and automation goals.