Application of Intelligent RFID System in Industrial Control

RFID systems have become almost standard in modern production processes today. Application-specific RFID systems are used in conjunction with appropriate readers and coordinated software. With such systems, production processes and the logistics required for this can be precisely paced and perfectly coordinated with one another.

RFID systems cannot generate batches

The transponder on a component can provide data to the automatic control device of the manufacturing process and the spare parts supply process, so that the process path of each component can be fully recorded and traced. In addition, if the data carrier is permanently installed on the target object, the product life cycle management can also be effectively carried out. The target object can be confirmed as an original component at any time, and the specified quality inspection certificate can also be recorded on the RFID system.

The biggest challenge for production is that no production process is the same as another production process, so successful RFID systems cannot be mass-produced. Any RFID system must be closely matched to the process of the corresponding enterprise, and which solution is preferred depends on the requirements of the specific application. Therefore, the road to a well-functioning RFID system must always be a comprehensive analysis of all participating processes and framework conditions.

The successful implementation of RFID-enabled business processes in machine and plant construction also depends on a variety of other factors: sophisticated hardware integration, data management, including the corresponding back-end systems, and individual RFID data that can be linked to ERP/EDI data according to the provided standards.

Trackability provides security

Each part marked by RFID is identified by the reader at an important link in the logistics chain, collected by a higher-level data network, further processed, and additional data written if necessary. With this information, each process step can be effectively implemented and controlled. In addition, decentralized storage of production data can improve the system's fault-resistant safety and enable components to enter and exit the processing production line smoothly without failure - for example, during subsequent processing.

The special antenna design of the UHF metal tag works by utilizing the electromagnetic coupling device between the tag and the base, so that the metal base plate itself becomes an extended antenna and helps to reliably transmit data at long ranges.

In practice, the processing or segmentation of the assembly line depends on the information of the RFID tag: only when the component is clearly identified according to the processing drawing and the relevant important production and quality data are approved, the equipment is approved for further processing. Modern data carriers such as RFID tags or smart labels can retain product life information on the component for a long time, so that detailed tracking and tracing can also be carried out several years later.

Typical information on smart labels includes individual product data and identification codes, the so-called "Unique ID", as well as information about processing conditions and quality parameters during production, as well as processing conditions and time. The information recorded on the label is also useful for after-sales service, such as maintenance intervals, repair services or warranty. At the same time, modern encryption technology can prevent any illegal access to confidential data.

Take the maintenance of machines and equipment as an example: the staff in this area can call up all the data of the components without contact. In this way, the required spare parts can be purchased strictly according to the series model, and the maintenance and repair work done is recorded on the data carrier. In addition, if a certain component often fails, the manufacturer can smoothly and efficiently make the necessary telephone return visits, which can effectively avoid greater subsequent damage and subsequent costs.

Important data is located on the target object

Nowadays, intelligent RFID systems are increasingly occupying new areas of use, such as metal bases, which can generate electromagnetic fields for transponders when reading and writing through radio networks. If such tags are on a physical metal base, transmission failures and limited range will occur prematurely. For this reason,
the UHF metal tag launched by Schreiner Logidata can take advantage of this metal environment: its special antenna design can even work with the electromagnetic coupling device between the tag and the base, so that the metal itself becomes an extended antenna and helps to reliably transmit data at long distances.

Reliable identification under harsh conditions

In the construction of machinery and equipment, innovative technologies have opened up completely new possibilities, such as uninterrupted tracking during the production process. If a single component or a complete set of equipment must pass through a painting line (painting room), it used to require many links. Because traditional identification systems cannot withstand the thermal and chemical loads in the painting line, the production data has always been transferred from one data carrier to another system when the blank is transferred to the painting. For this purpose, for example, auxiliary covers with identification codes are used, or expensive active RFID systems are used in a fully sealed and insulated housing. Both solutions are mostly not fixed to the product itself, but to a dedicated painting line slide. This is a potential quality problem, which is very expensive, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and is also one of the biggest sources of failure in the tracking link.

With the innovative UHF metal tag, these disadvantages are eliminated: the RFID tag is fixed to the product throughout the process, which is more advantageous in terms of manufacturing and operation than all previous systems. This is a major step forward brought about by intensive research and development work. The high-tech transponder tag must not only function properly on the metal base, especially its flat structure, but also withstand temperatures of 220°C and must survive the painting process.

Based on RFID automatic identification, there is also great potential for controlling the availability of materials. In order to get a sufficient number of components at the right place at any time during the processing process, many companies in the technical industry use the Kanban system to work. The principle of this system is very simple and very effective: once the components required at a certain processing station are less than the specified minimum quantity, the relevant employee will stick a Kanban card printed with a barcode on the reader to start the replenishment supply system.

RFID technology can further simplify and automate these processes. If each component is labeled with a transponder, the consumption and current inventory at the processing site can be automatically reported to the EDV system via radio in real time. Therefore, even if the production bases or spare parts suppliers are far apart, precise coordination can be carried out to achieve perfect mutual deployment.