The following are news announcements made during the past week by the following organizations:
Turck;
Smartrac;
MSM Solutions;
AIM; and
Computype.
Turck Reveals New CODESYS-Programmable RFID Interface Module
Turck has introduced its TBEN-L-RFID interface module with PLC capabilities via CODESYS, to streamline RFID integration and data processing in HF and UHF applications. The compact module’s controller function can filter and pre-process RFID data and link to broader control operations, enabling high-speed dynamic or multi-tag RFID applications.
The TBEN-L-RFID’s design makes this module suitable for retrofitting RFID applications, the company reports. An IP67 rating allows its use outside a cabinet, and actuators and sensors can be connected via HF and UHF RFID read-write heads simultaneously. These features reduce the installation and wiring efforts required for industrial identification solutions.
“This device expands on the powerful combination of advanced features and simplistic integration in our recently released ultracompact TBEN-S-RFID interface,” said Don Eichman, Turck’s fieldbus technology product manager, in a prepared statement. “The new TBEN-L-RFID offers our users a fully programmable package, with ample RFID and I/O to meet the majority of industrial applications all while staying outside of the cabinet.”
For additional flexibility, users can set the multiprotocol device to an Ethernet protocol—PROFINET, EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP—via the CODESYS environment. The module offers 256 MB of flash memory and runs on an 800 MHz CPU, which accesses a 128 MB DDR3-RAM. It is connected via an M12 connector to the Ethernet layer, with power supplied via a 7/8-inch connector.
The TBEN-Lx-4RFID-8DXP-CDS offers four RFID ports for HF or UHF readers, as well as eight universal DXP I/Os for sensors or actuators. The TBEN-S-RFID contains two RFID ports and four configurable digital I/O points for external devices, as well as an IP67 rating for integration into existing applications.
Smartrac to Showcase Temperature Sensor Portfolio
Smartrac has announced that it will present its portfolio of temperature-sensing products and solutions at the 15th annual Cold Chain Global Forum, being held in Chicago, Ill. According to the company, the products can be used for cold-chain monitoring applications.
As the demand for global industrial logistics grows, temperature-controlled applications are rapidly evolving in parallel. To that end, Smartrac has developed products and solutions to enable a trusted cold chain by sensing temperature and moisture levels, logging and indicating temperatures, and providing authenticity and traceability.
During the event, Smartrac will showcase its Temperature Logger NFC sensor, a battery-powered label solution for accurately logging temperature data in temperature-controlled supply-chain applications. Temperature Logger NFC can be read by a smartphone app that allows rapid mobile data control and analysis, the company indicates, thereby helping customers to make informed decisions regarding shipment quality, inventory and logistics. The new sensor measures and records temperature readings during the transport of sensitive items.
Providing RFID-based sensors and the ability to manage product-related data via the company’s Smart Cosmos enablement platform, Smartrac reports, will allow customers to leverage RFID technology and the Internet of Things. “This year’s Cold Chain Global Forum is the perfect occasion for Smartrac to introduce our latest sensor product and IoT-based data unification and authentication capabilities to the public,” said Ted Danhauser, Smartrac’s VP of sales for the Americas, in a prepared statement. “Building end-to-end trust into a chain of custody for cold-chain market players is our ultimate goal.”
MSM Solutions Launches RFID and Bar-code Website
MSM Solutions, a global provider of automatic-identification and data-capture (AIDC) technologies, has launched a new website focused on bar-code and RFID solutions that enable businesses to identify, track, count and manage goods from the point of origin to the point of sale.
The company provides technology and support for a range of businesses. The new website showcases MSM’s RFID, bar-code, mobility and printing solutions for the retail, manufacturing, health care, automotive, distribution and logistics industries.
The redesigned site highlights MSM Solutions’ PortalTrack software and support. PortalTrack’s cloud-based architecture and customizable design monitors millions of objects daily, the company reports. The software has been deployed globally by many leading brands.
“The new site focuses on the RFID and bar-code technologies, solutions and support that enable our customers to be more competitive in today’s global economy,” said Brett Wilkerson, MSM Solutions’ business-development manager, in a prepared statement. “The result is a website that provides resourceful information on the latest RFID and barcode hardware technologies, application expertise and customizable PortalTrack software solutions that enable real-time visibility for the entire supply chain.”
With a focus on customer problem-solving, the website offers information about specific areas of expertise, such as EPC printing and encoding, zone and item tracking, inventory management, brand protection, and automated printing and labeling systems, as well as shipping and receiving. Additionally, best practices and videos from real-world projects have been included on the site to show technology in action, and thus help businesses learn from MSM customers to combat similar challenges.
AIM, AIM North America Invite 2018 Awards Nominations
AIM, in conjunction with its North American chapter, AIM NA, has announced the opening of the nomination period for its annual automatic-identification and data-capture (AIDC) industry awards. Each year, the AIM and AIM NA Awards honor individuals and organizations that not only promote the industry, but demonstrate significant contributions to enhanced and new technologies.
Nominations for the 2018 AIM Awards are being sought to recognize outstanding achievement in five specific categories:
• Dilling Award: presented in recognition of outstanding contributions that have furthered the growth of the industry through important applications and new technological developments.
• Gilligan Award: honors outstanding contributions to the development of AIDC applications in materials handling and logistics in the supply chain.
• Moore Excellence in Journalism Award: recognizes a member of the media whose unbiased communications contribute to a greater understanding of the automatic identification and mobility industry as a whole.
• Percival Award: presented to an individual or organization from the user community recognizing outstanding contributions to the application of automatic identification and data capture technologies.
• Williams Award: honors a professor or student in recognition of innovative and exceptional contributions that can further the growth of the AIDC industry through his or her work as a teacher, researcher or entrepreneur.
Additionally, the 2018 AIM North America Awards will recognize leaders in three categories:
• Professional of the Year Award: recognizes innovative and exceptional contributions to the development of the automatic identification industry through work as a contributor, collaborator or mentor.
• Organization of the Year Award: honors an organization in recognition of outstanding contributions and service that have furthered the growth of the industry.
• Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) in Government Award: recognizes an individual, committee, group or organization in the government sector that has championed the successful use of AIT at the local, state or national level.
The nomination submission deadline is Nov. 10, 2017. The AIM and AIM North America Awards are open to both AIM members and non-members alike, and must be submitted using the online nomination application process. More than one entry may be submitted, and self-nominations are accepted. The 2018 recipients, chosen in a joint meeting of the AIM and AIM North America Board of Directors, will be honored at a special presentation during AIM Summit 2018.
Computype Invests New Resources to Develop RFID Technology
Computype is investing resources to develop new RFID technologies. The company has previously collaborated in the global diagnostics industry with tracking solutions comprising functional histology slide labels, outsourced bar-coding services and label automation systems. The transition from a bar code or label to improved data connectivity, offered through the utilization of RFID, enables tighter process controls of automated platforms and associated consumables, the company explains, ensuring heightened efficiency and accuracy in patient diagnosis.
“The expectation of connectivity is prevalent within the global diagnostics industry,” said Sarah Richardson, the VP and general Manager of Computype’s Global Healthcare Business Unit, in a prepared statement. “Through leveraging RFID, consumables in diagnostic devices prove to be more connected to their environment, opening the architecture of what can easily be achieved in consumable auditing and management.”
RFID infrastructure enables consumables to communicate with an associated device and communicate critical, real-time information like temperature, volume or remaining life back to a centralized database or on-device storage. This helps to ensure that tests are performed accurately and efficiently.
“Close relationships to our customers provide us with the intel and inspiration to come back to our lab and develop solutions based on the real world goals and challenges of our customers,” said Mike Sanislo, Computype’s VP of RFID systems, in the prepared statement. “Our customers are telling us there is a definite fit for RFID within their systems, and they need a development partner who can guide them through the commissioning process and ensure all the components are in place for optimization.”
The Computype RFID solution includes hardware, software, consumables, a development kit and face-to-face human interaction. While the radio signals of RFID wavelengths may be invisible, ensuring a dedicated RFID resource for proper implementation is critical to the success in fully optimizing the technology.
“RFID isn’t something you just take out of a box and power on,” said Josh Miller, Computype’s senior RFID product manager, in the prepared statement. “Each system is going to be unique based on customer processes and systems, so having a dedicated resource to ensure proper customization and system development is crucial.”