RFID Pilot Brings Intelligence to Solid TiresCamso is investigating a new RFID tag, known as a plug, that could be built into its forklift tires to enable performance, maintenance and service improvements for its customers, as well as provide manufacturing and supply chain visibility.
May 28, 2018—
Canadian tire company Camso has entered into an agreement to pilot radio frequency identification technology as a potential solution for improving the servicing of forklift tires. The pilot involves building UHF RFID tags directly into its solid-rubber forklift tires. In the long term, Camso reports, the company is interested in knowing whether RFID could enable better service for its customers. Based on the pilot's success, the company plans to commercialize the RFID solution in cooperation with technology provider Ferm RFID Solutions, a division of FineLine Technologies. FineLine acquired Netherland-based Ferm RFID, which offers RFID solutions for automotive and aviation tires, in January 2018. Camso's RFID pilot involves embedding RFID tags, known as plugs, into the rubber of solid tires designed for use with a variety of forklifts. The firm is investigating what types of solutions it could implement to help reduce the operating costs of forklift fleet operation, says Derek Bradeen, Camso's brand, communications and global marketing executive director. Camso is among the world's largest manufacturers of solid and air-filled forklift tires, as well as other off-road mobility products. The company focuses not only on making quality products, but also on how those products perform for customers over time, based on how they are used and maintained.Camso's services include solutions for maintaining tires for its customers in warehouses and at other locations. According to Bradeen, the firm's engineers focus on how to manage and enhance a tire's lifespan, based on many variables that include heat generation and wear and tear. As part of this effort, he says, the company constantly investigates ways in which technology can improve the performance of its products. "Smart technology is a vehicle to bring more value to the customer," he states. With RFID technology, the company hopes to learn whether the built-in tag could enable it to track tire status over time, including how tires are used, and under what conditions. In so doing, Bradeen explains, the firm could not only modify its servicing (such as scheduling maintenance visits based on wear-and-tear forecasts for each tire), but also identify the right tire for specific applications. For instance, Bradeen says, some users may need to operate tires more often or at higher speeds for different duty cycles and on multiple types of surfaces. All of these factors, he notes, could impact a tire's performance and lifespan. USER COMMENTS
Login and post your comment!Not a member? Signup for an account now to access all of the features of RFIDJournal.com! |
PREMIUM CONTENT
SEND IT YOUR WAY
RFID JOURNAL EVENTS
ASK THE EXPERTS Simply enter a question for our experts. JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON TWITTER | ||||||||||||||
ARTICLES
PREMIUM CONTENT
|