The application of intelligent RFID system in industrial control

Today, RFID systems are almost standard in modern machining processes. Use of application-specific RFID systems in combination with corresponding RFID Readers and harmonized software. With the help of such a system, the production process and the logistics required for this can be precisely planned and coordinated with each other.

The journey of each component can be fully documented and traced, as an RFID reader on a component provides data to automatic controls for the manufacturing process and parts supply process.

In addition, if the data carrier is permanently installed on the object, effective product life cycle management can also be carried out. The object can be certified as an original component at any time, and the required 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 a successful RFID system cannot be produced in batches. Any RFID system must closely match the process of the corresponding enterprise, which solution is the first choice depends on the requirements of the specific use. Therefore, the road to a well-functioning RFID system always has to go through a thorough analysis of all involved processes and framework conditions.

In machine and plant manufacturing, the effective implementation of RFID-enabled business processes also depends on a variety of other factors: such as sophisticated hardware integration, data management, including corresponding back-end systems, and individual RFID data, which can be determined according to Standards provided to interface with ERP/EDI data.

Every part identified by RFID is identified by an RFID reader at an important link in the logistics chain, and is collected by a higher-level data network, continues to be processed, and writes additional data if necessary. Using this information, each process step can be effectively implemented and controlled. In addition, the decentralized storage of production data increases the fail-safety of the system and allows components to flow smoothly into and out of the processing line without problems – for example during subsequent processing.

The special antenna design of the UHF anti-metal tag can use the electromagnetic coupling device between the tag and the base to work, so the metal base itself becomes an extended antenna, and it is helpful for reliable data transmission at long distances. In practice, sub-processing on processing or assembly lines depends on the information of the RFID tag: Only when the components are clearly identified according to the processing drawings 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 tags can retain product life information on components for a long time, so detailed tracking and traceability can also be carried out after several years. Typical information on smart labels, such as personalized product data and identification codes, the so-called "Unique ID"; in addition, there are information about processing status and quality parameters in production, as well as processing conditions and time. For after-sales service, the information recorded on the label is also useful. For example in terms of maintenance intervals, repair services or warranty; at the same time, modern encryption technology prevents any unauthorized access to confidential data.

Take the maintenance of machines and plants, for example, in which workers can call up all 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, once a certain component fails frequently, the manufacturer can smoothly and efficiently conduct the necessary telephone return visits, so that greater subsequent damage and subsequent costs can be effectively avoided.

In machine and plant construction, innovative technologies open up completely new possibilities, such as uninterrupted tracking of production processes. If a single component or a complete plant has to go through a painting line (paint booth), it turns out that many steps are required. Since conventional identification systems cannot withstand the thermal and chemical loads in the painting line, production data have traditionally been transferred from one data carrier to another system during the transition from the blank to the painting. For this, for example, auxiliary covers with identification codes are used, or expensive active RFID systems housed in hermetically sealed and thermally insulated housings. Most of these two solutions are not fixed on the product itself, but fixed on the special painting production line slide. This is a hidden danger of quality problems, which is very expensive, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it is also one of the biggest sources of failure in the tracking process.

Now these shortcomings are solved, because of the innovative UHF anti-metal tags. The RFID electronic tag is fixed on the product throughout the process, which is more advantageous in manufacturing and operation than all previous systems. This is a big step forward after intensive research and development work. The high-tech transponder tags not only had to function properly on the metal base, but in particular their structure had to be flat, and they had to withstand temperatures up to 220°C.

Based on RFID automatic identification, there is also great potential for the control of material usability. Many companies in the technical industry work with the Kanban system in order to have a sufficient number of components at the right place at all times during processing. The principle of the system is very simple and very effective: Once a processing station requires fewer than the specified minimum number of components, the relevant employees stick a kanban card with a printed barcode on the RFID reader to initiate replenishment. cargo system.

These processes can be further simplified and automated through RFID technology. If each component is equipped with an RFID electronic tag, then the consumption and current inventory on the processing site can be automatically reported to the EDV system through radio and in real time. Therefore, even production bases or spare parts suppliers that are scattered far away can carry out precise coordination and mutual deployment.

Smart manufacturing is a trend in the transformation and upgrading of modern manufacturing. In the future, highly integrated and intelligent smart manufacturing systems will inevitably replace human mental work in the manufacturing process. A complete RFID system consists of three parts: reader, electronic tag and application software system. Compared with barcode, magnetic card, IC card and other technologies, the application advantages of RFID technology can realize batch processing, long-distance non-contact reading and writing, large data capacity, reusable, insensitive to pollution, and can adapt to various complex working conditions.