The development of RFID technology is gaining momentum, and we have more and more opportunities to track production processes. If yesterday we use isolate solutions for identification, today we used identification integrated into production. The trend of tomorrow will be identification that will cover the entire production cycle.
First, let’s define what we mean by radio frequency identification technology. RFID solutions include the following components: tags (active, semi-passive, passive), readers (for example, stationary, OEM, mobile, data collection terminals) and software (RFID servers, location managers and mobile clients).
RFID for Manufacturing Logistics
It can be use for real-time control of logistics operations and planning the utilization of production resources. This solution is suitable for enterprises from the industries of mechanical engineering, FMCG and wholesale. How it works? RFID tags mark assets that need to be track (for example, products or components), the RFID server integrates with the accounting system, after which the system automatically generates documents, determines the type of operation, controls the completeness and other operations. Thus, by minimizing the human factor and semi-automatic identification methods, we can increase the efficiency of shipment and acceptance of products, eliminate bottlenecks in the supply chain, production and supply.
Rice. 2. RFID for industrial logistics
Dispatching and monitoring
Another option for using industrial identification in production is dispatching and monitoring. RFID can be use to track the operation and movement of equipment and components. This technology allows you to collect statistics on the use of consumables and equipment, set up automatic checking of their compliance, record the operating time and the location of the equipment. Such RFID solutions for dispatching and monitoring are especially relevant in mechanical engineering, mining, medicine, as well as in the field of FMCG.
Asset control and smart storage
The next RFID use case is smart storage. How to automate critical asset accounting using RFID? To do this, you should set up continuous monitoring of the availability of products, tools and other valuable items using an RFID server, equip the storage location with RFID antennas and mark accounting items with RFID tags. You also need to integrate the RFID server with the accounting system or connect a light column or information board. Now all assets are display within the “smart storage”, statistics are collect automatically. Thus, it is always possible to quickly find the location and the number of necessary objects, the time of their arrival in the storage, the number and route of their movements.Inventory of assets in “smart storage” is carry out continuously and with minimal effort on the part of the business.
Project example
The Smolensk nuclear power plant uses identification technologies to control the movement of equipment and tools [2].In view of the increase safety requirements, it was require to organize an automatic recording of the movements of tools and equipment when performing repair work in the areas of the open equipment. The implement solution made it possible to monitor in streaming mode everything that is enter into the area of the open equipment, and to see in the accounting system what work is being done. Records of the entry and exit of employees into the repair work area are automatically generate in the RPDZ log (a log for registering items deliver to the work area with equipment opening). If the system detects at the entrance to the area an employee without admission or a tool prohibit from entering, the software and hardware complex will give a corresponding signal.
Quality control
RFID quality control solutions in Pakistan will help to verify the authenticity of products, set up automatic control of the shelf life of products, achieve traceability in the production of each copy and reduce the inventory time. The use of embed, non-rewritable RFID tags along with mobile and stationary controls can also be use to develop customer service and support corporate loyalty programs. The tag built into the equipment allows you to quickly update the service history and packaging. Consumers who have doubts about the radio frequency identification authenticity of products or components can use the counterfeit verification service. In this role, RFID is becoming popular in retail, FMCG, instrumentation and pharmaceuticals.
Online monitoring
Another scenario is from the area of active radio frequency identification. With the help of RFID solutions for online monitoring, it is possible in real time to receive information about the location of critical objects and equipment on the map of the controll area. In addition to data on the location of assets, such online monitoring allows you to collect information on their status and condition, for example, to diagnose indicators of gas concentration, vibration, temperature, etc. Such solutions are especially relevant for the mining industry, mechanical engineering, in the field of security.
Rice. 6. RFID for online monitoring
Usage example
The Industrad Automobile Plant is working out a project for the implementation of a real-time monitoring system (RTLS) to track movements, speed limits and loading of intra-shop and inter-shop vehicles. As a result of the project, the plant will be able to receive data on their condition online. Thus, you can eliminate downtime and overruns of vehicles, keep statistics on the efficiency of logistics and vehicle loading, and receive alerts in the event of emergency situations.
Obtaining data on the status of intrashop and interdepartmental transport online allows you to achieve maximum transparency of logistics processes. Thanks to this, it is possible to know exactly where and when a particular technique is applly, which routes are taken by materials or products before reaching their destination. This is an opportunity to optimize supply chains and the flow of materials in production, which is an important condition for maintaining the competitiveness of modern manufacturing.
