RFID in Industry 4.0 Processes

To optimize production processes, the system must be able to control itself. There must be an autonomous exchange of information with individual products and product groups. Thanks to RFID technology, it is possible to fully automate production processes. The best possible sequence for each process step is found and it is ensured that the products find their way autonomously.

iDTRONIC offers innovative RFID hardware solutions for industrial and process automation applications. The controllers, readers and antennas as well as all parts for cabling are modular and available for all requirements and systems.

iDTRONIC Professional RFID tags are designed to be used in any industrial environment. For example, RFID tags can not only withstand high temperatures, but can withstand temperature cycles without losing the data in the tag’s memory.

The iDTRONIC Group offers a wide range of modular RFID products for industrial automation.

Maintenance is an important process within production in Industry 4.0, so analyzing past data is essential for proper inspection and clear measurement. For this purpose, we offer the following RFID solutions for the maintenance of machines and systems for manufacturing.

Organization of Maintenance works

• Equipping machines and devices for identification with RFID tags or RFID labels
• Description with information provided via the integrated HF/NFC reader of a tablet
• Due to the integrated multiple communication options of WiFi, Bluetooth or LTE 4G, it is possible to transmit data directly to an external system
• The use of mobile device management systems (MDM) facilitates the capture, storage and processing of data

Inspection of machinery and equipment

• Our UHF Tablet C9 – RED is an optimal tablet computer solution for the maintenance and servicing of machines
• Multiple inspectors are able to access, modify or add to the data from different tablets
• The documentation of defects or errors in the form of a picture is possible with the integrated 8 megapixel camera. This has the advantage that the person is immediately visible and a possible error analysis can be carried out immediately and safely

Documentation and transmission of test results

• Editing, documentation and recording of the tested parameters, test data and devices is possible at any time
• The evaluated test results are thus directly transferable to the respective machine, which has a desktop mount with industrial RS232 and Ethernet interface

Advantages in the definition and implementation of measures and repairs

The derivation of measures resulting from the maintenance process is easy to define with the linked test parameters. Possible repairs can be carried out immediately thanks to the photo documentation, eliminating the need to search for the objective fault on the device or machine. The transfer of all test data and measures is possible without data loss through the use of a mobile tablet and the MDM system. In this way, the maintenance manager can forward the data directly to the responsible person, which facilitates the traceability of the measures carried out. The time factor plays a decisive role in the use of a tablet: employees’ working time is reduced, leaving more time for operational processes in the company.

The basic idea of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) is that the use of intelligent machines in production or logistics is a more cost-effective and effective solution compared to human labor. Our RFID solutions optimize these processes. Productivity and the transport of goods become more efficient, more traceable and better in terms of execution through the use of IIoT and RFID technology.

Advantages of IIoT and RFID

• Goods in warehouses or containers are easier to find
• In the case of sensitive transport goods, the routes can be tracked in a traceable manner – in order to analyze possible defects in goods
• Production processes can be automated and changes can be adjusted in real time
• Maintenance work on machines can be detected by the continuous data communication of the RFID reader with the output system,
  so that disturbances or downtimes in production can be avoided
• At the same time, the use of RFID technology increases production capacity
• Industry 4.0 makes it easier to record and control crucial values across the entire production process