In the manufacturing industry, primary focus is placed on products and their production. Products are continuously transported throughout the manufacturing plants and warehouses to be produced, packaged, shipped and delivered. Automatic Identification and data capture (AIDC) technology is used to label and identify products. An effective method of AIDC is radio frequency identification (RFID). Although this technology is not a new invention, its familiarity is just beginning, but advancing rapidly.
RFID communicates through radio waves to exchange data between a reader and an electronic tag that is attached to an object. RFID is beneficial to manufacturers because it allows them to run more efficient operations. RFID helps by tracking and tracing products while in process throughout a manufacturing plant and warehouse, a process commonly called Work in Process or WIP tracking.
RFID WIP Tracking is a system used when materials - whether manufactured, fabricated or repaired - are transported between multiple work areas or departments.
RFID technology improves the efficiency of manufacturing processes by automating inventory checks and supply chain tracking. It monitors work in process during the production cycle. Manufacturing RFID tracks inventory, maintains current item information, determines product features and date of manufacturer, detects errors and can track at the item level. RFID technology is able to read multiple tags at once, reduces time wasted during production, reduces time spent locating a product, increases factory utilization, and improves on delivery time.
In addition, this technology reports immediate problems, and companies can verify previous errors as well. Also, RFID tags can identify objects, items and people. RFID tags (also know as chips) are more secure for manufacturers because only authorized users can read the tags. No limit or capacity is placed on the tags, and they can be read numerous times.
Be sure to check out all of the RFID, data collection solutions available from BCI Inc.