Over the last few decades, RFID technology has grown exponentially. By 2026, the global RFID market is expected to reach USD 17.4 billion.
Today, RFID is used widely across many industries such as retail, healthcare, automotive, and also manufacturing. If you’re planning to implement an RFID system at your manufacturing business, but are unsure how to go about it, this guide aims to help you understand the RFID implementation best practices.
RFID implementation brings manifold benefits to every industry. Especially for the manufacturing industry, some benefits include:
Like every technology, the implantation of RFID needs to be a well-planned project. Here are a few things to keep in mind based on the use case for which you plan to leverage RFID
In a manufacturing hub, when you are trying to locate a product or any source for a potential problem quickly, an RFID track and trace solution can help you track it easily and quickly.
While implementing an RFID solution, ensure that you select a product that comes with sensors, readers, and scanning technology to create a complete record of every product that moves through every step in your manufacturing hub.
Zebra’s Fixed Industrial Scanners help to track and trace every product at every stage. For example, the RFD90 Ultra-Rugged UHF RFID Sleds can help in tracking all your assets. They are specially designed to work in demanding manufacturing environments. You can connect them directly or wireless to Zebra mobile computers and 3rd-party smartphones to access the complete report.
Asset management can be a daunting task in a manufacturing setup. If you want to streamline the same, you can tag each asset with an RFID tag and keep a track of each asset. With RFID, you can reduce cycle times, improve device management, and increase visibility throughout facilities and across the globe.
Choose an RFID system that has mobile barcode asset tracking. For example, Zebra’s DS3600-SR is designed to capture barcodes from near contact to an arm’s length.
You can use RFID solutions to up your quality game. Invest in sensor tags, readers, and machine vision to help you identify and isolate problem products or inefficiencies. This can help you increase your productivity, minimize cost, improve precisions, and reduce downtime.
For example, Zebra’s Front View FX7500 Fixed RFID Reader works on advanced RFID radio technology that delivers faster and more accurate read rates with consistent performance. It is designed to function in adverse environments so that you can use it in any manufacturing unit. The device is paired with a flexible Linux-based network architecture and is integrated with open standards interface. This ensures you can have a quick and easy deployment.
A big problem in the manufacturing industry is if there’s a problem on your line, you cannot know it until there are some major issues. To thrive in your business, you need to have better facility management, including real-time asset management. Along with it, you also need to ensure you have good quality control measures in place. With RFID manufacturing asset management tools, you can achieve operational efficiencies by tracking anything anywhere.
Zebra’s mobile barcodes and sensors can help you identify an issue quickly to address it clearly and reduce downtime. For example, Zebra’s DS8100 Series Handheld Imager can scan on 1D and 2D barcodes to deliver frictionless transactions at every step.
While implementing an RFID, it is always important to scrutinize your current setup and the upcoming business changes to determine which aspects you want to address with an RFID-based solution. Start with gathering information from business management, IT, the maintenance department, and all the stakeholders involved.
If you’re planning to implement an RFID solution at your facility, conduct an RFID survey on the planned installation location. A physical survey can help you identify and plan the installation location of any readers and antennas. You should also conduct a quick one-day feasibility test to understand the technology and validate the tags. The survey report should indicate the designated and identified locations for the RFID implementations.
RFID tags come in various configurations. So, you need to select tags that are useful for your facility. There is a lot to explore, from simple printed tags to hard mount tags that can withstand harsh environments like cryogenic subzero and high temperatures. Invest in tags that serve your purpose and make your process efficient.
Cabling is an important part of RFID installation that plays a crucial role in the installation process, performance, and maintenance. So, don’t forget to consider them until your installation is done. Check if you need ethernet cables, coaxial cables, power cables, or all for the installation. Remember, factors like excessive long cable length can reduce the performance of the RFID tags. Losses may also occur at connection points, so check them too. As a rule of thumb and best industry practice, use cables within 30 feet from the reader to the antenna.
Your RFID system has to be tested with a software application you will operate. Keep provision for test time to test and troubleshoot, if needed, before implementing it. Having a soft launch before an actual launch is always helpful to test things out.
RFID technology can help manufacturers optimize their business processes, increase efficiency, security, and visibility, and make it more profitable. Make your RFID implementation process seamless by following the industry best practices discussed in this guide.
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