Manufacturers are always looking for innovative ways to optimize operations and reduce expenses. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology can optimize your supply chain by improving material flow and tracking damages. The more recent passive RFID tags serve as intelligent monitors that deliver accurate track and trace details throughout the supply chain.

RFID in Manufacturing

Advanced RFID tracking stickers can enhance tracking in production even in the harshest environments. It can withstand intemperate conditions typically found in factories, including extreme heat, high pressure, and hazardous elements.

While most manufacturers appreciate the importance of RFID, many don’t take full advantage of the data it generates. Here is how you can benefit from RFID in manufacturing.

Boosting Security and Safety

Manufacturing plants can use RFID technology to control a myriad of security aspects. Instead of using passwords, you can employ RFID in process control and the regulation of operational parameters.

An example is when multiple users at the same station use different log-in credentials. RFID tracking stickers can create associations between tasks, operators, and machines to ensure only authorized personnel can operate the equipment.

Further, RFID systems can create history logs that you can refer to when problems occur. Supervisors can track who performed which task, increasing accountability for damages in the supply chain.

Advancing Production Execution

Some critical industrial applications require the right materials, tools, machines, and labor to be readily available without compromises. RFID technology can provide factory operators with the necessary product execution information in real-time.

With read-write passive RFID tags, you can monitor, configure, or modify production steps to match various project requirements. For instance, custom projects can have RFID stickers programmed with product specifications. Robots or workers at different stations will read the details and implement the steps as instructed.

Supporting Inventory Management

Another application in manufacturing is RFID inventory management. Taking inventory manually can be tedious, inaccurate, and time-consuming. Passive RFID tags can eliminate hand-scanning, resulting in a notable improvement in inventory tracking instantly.

The technology can also help to achieve lean manufacturing by maintaining low inventory and reducing wastage. Without a picture of your work in progress (WIP) requirements, you may resort to bloating your warehouse to take care of unpredicted situations.

An RFID inventory management system can increase the visibility and tracking of inventory in a factory. You’ll know how much raw materials to stock to stay on top of WIP in your plant.

Enhancing Equipment Efficiency

For an industrial facility to function at optimum levels, all machinery and equipment should run without major failures. It calls for prompt maintenance, repair, and overhaul exercises.

Modern manufacturing plants are highly automated. They rely on computerized maintenance management systems for insights on when to inspect, repair, or replace equipment.

Passive RFID tags can collect accurate and timely data about the health of your factory machinery. They can provide detailed information regarding the usage, cleaning and maintenance history, and an equipment’s overall condition.

Quality Control

RFID in manufacturing can support processes that demand excellent quality. It may be the solution when you have to use certain materials or strict formulas. RFID tags can monitor WIP and report data at critical production stages. The record may be useful in root cause analysis in case of damage or manufacturing flaws.

Tracking in Challenging Sites

RFID utilizes wireless technologies to transfer data with no need for a direct line of sight. If your manufacturing process requires reading or writing data on a product within extreme conditions, you can utilize encapsulated passive RFID tags. They will withstand and perform in the most challenging conditions. They endure rough handling, chemical, dirt, fluctuating temperatures, and more.

Heightening Productivity

The use of RFID in manufacturing can automate information collection about the location and movement of stock, assists, and other components. The process happens rapidly and with high precision, making it more reliable and efficient than older techniques.

Product identification through RFID inventory management systems is also quicker than the physical entry of code or using other scanning devices. By speeding up processes and minimizing manual tasks, RFID in manufacturing increases productivity and cuts costs.

Damage Reporting and Diagnosis

Products subjected to unacceptable impacts may get damaged. Using an impact reporting RFID system, you combine the benefits of an impact detector with a passive RFID tag.

An RFID enabled shock monitor senses when an impact has exceeded your threshold. Once you do a scan, the device relays the information to your enterprise resource planning (ERP) application or RFID inventory management system. You are made aware that a package has potentially been damaged and you can take appropriate steps to prevent it from moving forward in the supply chain.

These RFID enabled tags can automatically identify the products that need an inspection in the supply chain. When the damage happens between two scan points, you can investigate root cause and hold someone accountable.

RFID in Manufacturing: The Ultimate Damage Tracking Solution

Damages caused to products within the supply chain can be expensive for your business. It’s even more frustrating when you cannot determine who or what caused the damage.

SpotSee can optimize your supply chain and enhance handling of your inventory. The RFID impact tracking solution can help prevent, detect, and identify the root cause of destruction to goods.

Get in touch via the form below to schedule an RFID supply chain consultation.