RFID labelling is in the process of revolutionizing the world of marking and traceability as it becomes more widely specified and used by a growing number of manufacturers and retailers.
RFID labels and tags allow individual products or shipping cartons to be quickly and easily identified in a reliable, error-free manner even under adverse environmental conditions. At the heart of the RFID system is the “transponder”, a tiny computer chip with a built-in antenna. This chip stores a globally-unique serial number known as the EPC (Electronic Product Code). Applications that require the storage of larger amounts of data, such as individual article or serial numbers, use-by dates or lot numbers are also possible using this technology.
With the range of applications for RFID continually growing, Weber Marking has maintained its philosophy of ongoing product development by further ennhancing its range of RFID enabled units. Weber’s new Spine Tag RFID print and apply system offers a reliable marking solution for particularly narrow or flat components and parts with grooves or milled slots, that must retain their unique identity and be identifiable years after installation or processing. This new system can for instance, be used in window and door manufacture, in the building, furniture or electrical industries and even within the automotive and aerospace industries.
Weber RFID Tags in the Groove
In one innovative application example, the new Spine Tag RFID print and apply systems is used by a Scandinavian door manufacturer to enable unique identification and traceability of their products both internally and externally. In this instance, Weber’s RFID print and apply system prints the serial number, product data and company details on a narrow 4.0mm wide Smart Label which it then accurately applies to an equally narrow groove with a tolerance of +/- 0.8 mm.
Using the narrow Smart Label in a concealed position ensures that the aesthetic appearance of the product is unchanged whilst at the same time the RFID transponder benefits from added protection against damage or debris. The uniquely identifiable door is then processed as required being drilled, milled, planed, sanded or coated with the RFID tag being read at each of the manufacturing steps to ensure that the correct operations are performed. This particular manufacturer produces around 50,000 doors per week, with each of these incorporating a RFID Smart Label. The Weber system however, is capable of processing up to ten times more labels than is currently required for this application.
The Scandinavian installation comprises of a Weber Legi-Air 4050 E label print and apply system with an integrated RFID printing module. The RFID printer handles the printing of images, text and barcodes on the surface of the label and is also capable of reading and writing to the transponder which is integrated within the label.
In this example the tags are applied using the gentle tamp-blow procedure. The label is peeled from the backing paper, slid over the tamp pad and held down by vacuum. In the next step the applicator arm moves towards the product and blows the label into position with a pulse of air. This is all achieved in seconds and without touching or damaging the product surface. A “Bad Tag” reject unit ensures that only perfectly readable tags are applied to product and any damaged or faulty tags are rejected from the system.
A further benefit of RFID is unlike traditional bar codes or 2 D matrix codes, the process of reading the data does not require line-of-sight contact between reader and storage unit, also multiple RFID units can be read in a single sweep.
With many Weber Marking Systems products already RFID-compatible, customers can quickly take advantage of the production and logistics benefits which are realised when using this highly efficient and flexible technology.
For more information please contact:-
Mr Patrick Hughes
Weber Marking Systems UK
Macmerry Industrial Estate
Tranent
East Lothian
EH33 1HD
Telephone – +44(0)1875 611 111
E-Mail – sales@weber.co.uk
Web – www.weber.co.uk
