Various applications of intelligent RFID systems in industrial control

RFID systems cannot be batch generated
Transponders on one component provide data to the automation controls of the manufacturing process and the parts supply process so that the history path of each component can be fully documented and traced back. In addition, if the data carrier is permanently mounted on the target, product life cycle management can be effectively performed. The target can be verified as an original component at any time, and the specified quality inspection certificate can also be recorded on the RFID system.
The biggest challenge in production is that no one production process is the same as another, so successful RFID systems cannot be made in batches. Any RFID system must be closely matched to the process of the corresponding enterprise, which solution is preferred, depending on the requirements of the specific application. Therefore, the road to a well-functioning RFID system must always undergo a comprehensive analysis of all participating processes and framework conditions.
In machine and equipment manufacturing, the efficient installation of RFID-enabled business processes depends on a variety of other factors: such as sophisticated hardware integration, data management, including the corresponding back-end systems, and personalized RFID data, available upon availability. The standard is linked to the ERP/EDI data.
Traceability provides traceability
Each part identified by RFID is identified by the reader in an important part of the logistics chain, and is collected by a higher-level data network, processing continues, and additional data is written when necessary. With this information, each process step can be effectively implemented and controlled. In addition, decentralized storage of production data increases the system's fail-safe safety and allows components to move smoothly into and out of the processing line – for example during subsequent processing.
The special antenna design of the UHF metal tag works with the electromagnetic coupling between the tag and the base, so the metal backplane itself becomes an extended antenna and contributes to reliable data transmission over long range.
In practice, segmentation processing on a processing or assembly line depends on the information of the RFID tag: the device is approved for further processing only if the component is clearly identified according to the process map and the relevant critical production and quality data is approved. Modern data carriers, such as RFID tags or smart tags, can keep product life information on the component for a long time, so that it can be traced back and forth in a few years.
Typical information on smart labels, such as product data and identification codes for individuality, the so-called “Unique ID”; in addition to information on the processing conditions and quality parameters in production, as well as the conditions and time of processing. For after-sales service, the information recorded on the label is also useful. For example, in terms of maintenance intervals, repair services, or warranty; modern encryption technology prevents any illegal invocation of confidential data.
Take the maintenance of machines and equipment as an example: the staff in this area can call all the data of the components contactlessly. In this way, the required spare parts can be purchased in strict accordance with the series model, and the maintenance and repair work done is recorded on the data carrier. In addition, once a component fails frequently, the manufacturer can make the necessary phone call back smoothly and efficiently, thus effectively avoiding greater subsequent damage and subsequent costs.
Important data is located on the target
Smart RFID systems are now increasingly occupying new areas of use, such as metal bases, through which the electromagnetic field can be generated by the transponder during reading and writing. If the tag is on a solid metal base, transmission failures and range limitations will occur prematurely. To this end, Schreiner Logidata's UHF metal tag can be used in this metal environment: its special antenna design can even work with the electromagnetic coupling between the tag and the base, so the metal itself becomes an extended antenna, and Helps reliably transmit data over long range ranges.
Reliable identification under harsh conditions
In the manufacture of machinery and equipment, innovative technologies open up entirely new possibilities, such as uninterrupted tracking in the production process. If a single component or a complete set of equipment has to pass through the paint production line (spray booth), it turns out that many steps are required. Since the conventional identification system cannot withstand the thermal and chemical loads on the paint production line, the production data has been transferred from one data carrier to another in the past when the production data was transferred from the blank to the paint. For this purpose, for example, using an auxiliary cover with an identification code or using an expensive active RFID system housed in a fully sealed and insulated housing. Most of these two solutions are not fixed in the product itself, but are fixed on the special paint production line slide. This is a quality problem, its price is very expensive, and it takes time and effort, and it is also one of the biggest sources of failure in the tracking process.
With the innovative UHF metal tags, these shortcomings are solved: RFID tags are fixed throughout the product and are more advantageous in manufacturing and operation than all previous systems. This is a big step forward in the research and development work. The high-tech response tag must not only function properly on the metal base, especially its structure must be flat, but also must withstand the high temperature of 220 ° C, during the painting process Must be safe and sound.
Based on RFID automatic identification, there is also great potential for the control of materials in terms of usability. In order to get a sufficient number of components at the right place at any time during the process, many companies in the technology industry work with the Kanban system. The principle of the system is very simple and very effective: once the required components on a processing site are less than the specified minimum number, the relevant employee puts a barcoded kanban card on the reader to start the supplementary supply system. .
These processes can be further simplified and automated using RFID technology. If each component is tagged with a transponder, then the consumption and current inventory on the processing site can be automatically reported to the EDV system via radio and in real time. As a result, even a well-distributed production base or spare parts supply company can be precisely coordinated to make the mutual deployment perfect.