The following are news announcements made during the past week.
Korean Steel Maker Tracks Operations With RFID, Saving $1.4 Million Monthly
Korean steel manufacturer Posco has implemented an RFID-enabled logistics system to track and trace 2 million multi-ton metal parts annually. Posco designed the solution and integrated it with its existing manufacturing systems. The solution utilizes custom UPM RFID DogBone EPC Gen 2 passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags, to track multi-ton metal coils from the point of manufacture through customer delivery, in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of key operational processes. The implementation has received funding from the Korean government, UPM reports, as part of the country’s drive to become a leader in the field of ubiquitous sensor networks. Because using RFID technology in steel mills poses unique challenges (that is, interference to the RF signal from the metal), the firm is using modified DogBone tags that have two antennas and are applied upright inside heavy metal coil tags as flag tags, perpendicular to the items’ curved surfaces. Positioning the tags thus solves the problem of readability, according to UPM. The metal coils are tagged during the packaging process, and the tags are read as cranes move the coils to the warehouse, during storage and again when readied for shipment. Currently, Posco is employing RFID tags to identify coil products manufactured at its Kwangyang and Pohang plants, for a select group of 17 customers. Beginning in October 2011, Posco plans to tag all of the items that it produces, or more than 2 million steel components annually. Posco’s RFID system comprises the tags, handheld industrial PDAs, fixed RFID readers (attached to cranes and placed at factory gates), an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, a manufacturing execution system (MES) and a server. The integration with the ERP and MES applications enables Posco to access real-time information regarding its products, and to use that data to plan and fine-tune its own production operations. By implementing the RFID-based logistics system, UPM explains, the firm has automated the inspection, packaging and shipping of its metal coil products. In addition to providing complete traceability of the company’s products, the RFID system has decreased packaging and shipping errors, improved customer satisfaction and reduced monthly expenses by $1.4 million, according to Han Ku Park, the VP of Posco’s maintenance technology department.
Xerafy Announces New Series of Passive UHF RFID On-Metal Tags
RFD tag manufacturer Xerafy has introduced its Pico Plus series of passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID tags, which includes the PicoX II Plus, Pico-iN Plus and Pico-On Plus models. The new tags’ read ranges are greater than the company’s previous versions, Xerafy reports. The PicoX II Plus and the Pico-On Plus (a case-less model) are UHF RFID-on-metal (ROM) tags sized to fit on blade servers or other small metallic assets. The PicoX II Plus is IP68-rated (signifying it is waterproof and dust-proof), can achieve read ranges of up to 10 feet (3 meters) and can be attached to weapons, tools and medical devices; it measures 0.7 inch by 0.43 inch by 0.19 inch (17.8 millimeters by 10.9 millimeters by 4.8 millimeters) and weighs 0.07 ounce (2 grams). The Pico-On Plus, measuring 0.47 inch by 0.28 inch by 0.12 inch (11.9 millimeters by 7.1 millimeters by 3 millimeters) and weighing 0.05 ounce (1.4 grams), has a read range of up to 10 feet (3 meters). The Pico-iN Plus can be embedded into the head of a bolt to RFID-enable any aviation, automotive or manufacturing product; it measures 0.47 inch by 0.28 inch by 0.12 inch (11.9 millimeters by 7.1 millimeters by 3 millimeters), weighs 0.05 ounce (1.4 grams) and has a read range of up to 6.6 feet (2 meters).
Smart Track Logistics Launches Integrated Asset Tracker
Smart Track Logistics, a provider of enterprise logistics solutions for asset tracking, visibility, control and optimization, has introduced its Integrated Asset Tracker system, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution designed to provide global freight status, asset management and visibility. This new solution provides freight status and asset updates (such as location, estimated arrival time, status and condition), made through any single technology, or a combination of technologies, including GPS, cellular, RFID and mobile devices, that can then be viewed through the Web-based Smart Track Dashboard and Integrated Asset Tracker mapping interface. The SaaS-based solution’s reporting capabilities enable a user to analyze asset usage by facility, region or enterprise. Smart Track Logistics has partnered with Identec Solutions for tags and readers, according to Mike Edwards, the company’s spokesperson, though he adds that the software is hardware-agnostic. The company has clients in the warehouse and distribution market that leverage RFID with its software, as well as in manufacturing, retail and grocery distribution.
Identec Group Says Growth Strategy a Success
Identec Group, a global RFID solutions provider that operates a number of RFID businesses, has announced that its strategy of creating synergies and investing in the growth of its four U.S. businesses—Hothead Technologies, Beverage Metrics, InSync Software and Identec Solutions—is rapidly showing significant results. In April of this year, the company, formerly known as RFID Invest, changed its name to Identec Group, unveiling a new business strategy that combined nine businesses to provide full RFID solutions within a variety of markets, including hospitality and oil and gas (see Identec Group Adopts New Growth Strategy to Go With Its New Name). The restructuring created what the company claims is the largest RFID solutions provider in the world, with more than 2.000 customers in 16 industries on all continents. The restructuring was designed to capitalize on the core competencies of its U.S. businesses, and to promote synergies in technology, marketing, operational and financial activities. In particular, Identec Group reports, Hothead Technologies and Beverage Metrics have recently signed major pilot projects with a series of Fortune 500 companies. Hothead Technologies, its ownership of which the firm recently increased from 5 percent to 100 percent, is developing wireless solutions to aid in the detection and prevention of heat-related events and illnesses, and is also making advances in sports and industry, as well as among fire and rescue organizations (see Georgia High School Football Teams Put RFID Into Play). Beverage Metrics developed and markets a beverage-management solution for the hospitality industry, tracking the amount of beverages poured in real time, as well as back-room bottle inventory (see Beverage Metrics Serves Up Drink-Management Solution). InSync Software developed the software platform for both companies, while Identec Solutions developed the sensors for both Hothead Technologies and Beverage Metrics. Among other RFID solutions developed by Identec Group are systems for tracking containers, trucks and heavy equipment in ports. These solutions are currently assisting the U.S. Department of Defense with the secure and safe transport of high-value cargo, the managing of material assets in the building of power plants and large industrial projects, and the real-time tracking of fresh foods from field to fork. In May 2011, Identec Group announced that it had completed a $7.5 million equity capital round with private investors—which, the firm indicated, would be used to fuel further expansion in the multibillion-dollar U.S. RFID solutions market, and to fund its member companies’ organic growth (see RFID News Roundup: Identec Group Raises $7.5 Million in Round of Private Financing).
Ruro Intros RFID Program for Life-Sciences Industry
Ruro, a provider of research productivity and management solutions, headquartered in Frederick, Md., has introduced a new RFID solution aimed at helping life-sciences companies to more easily implement RFID technologies so that they can leverage the benefits of automated tracking for greater accuracy, safety, security and productivity in their research, development and supply chain operations. The solution includes RFID readers, label printers and antennas; compatible RFID media, such as labels, tags and badges; Ruro’s RFID-enabled management software or application programming interfaces (APIs), so organizations can leverage their own management systems; and services to help organizations plan, implement, roll out and support RFID-enabled solutions. The solution has a variety of product offerings from which to choose, including RFID readers from Impinj (the R220, R420 and xPortal), and the UHF1B from DLP Design for single tag-reading applications; RFID antennas from Convergence Systems Limited (the CS790 ultra-thin antenna and the CS777 Brickyard Near Field antenna), Impinj (the MatchBox) and Laird Technologies (the Cushcraft S9025 and S9028); RFID printer-encoders from Zebra Technologies (the RZ400) and Sato America (the GL408e/412e); handheld RFID interrogators from Intermec (the IP30) and ATID (models AT50 and AT870); RFID chips from Impinj (the Monza 3, 4 and 5), Alien Technology (the Higgs 3 and 4) and NXP Semiconductors (the Ucode); various inlays from UPM RFID, Alien and Ubique (the Ut-a RFID UHF antenna/inlay/tag); integrated RFID labels from Partnered Print Solutions; various RFID tags from Confidex, Intermec, Zebra Technologies, Mikoh, Murata, NCR, Omni-ID and several others; and RFID badge cards and badge printers from Zebra (the P430i and P330i).
Taiwan External Trade Development Readies 37th Taipei International Electronics Show
The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), a non-profit trade-promotion organization, has announced the launch of TAITRONICS 2011, the 37th Taipei International Electronics Show. The conference and tradeshow is scheduled for Oct. 10-13, 2011, at the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Nangang Exhibition Hall, in Taipei, and will bring together industry leaders, end users and technologists who are using, building and leveraging the latest technologies. Last year’s event attracted 813 exhibitors, the organization reports, as well as 40,016 attendees from around the world. This year’s conference is co-located with Broadband Taiwan and Taiwan RFID, and is focused on electronic components, batteries and power supplies, LED components and applications, meters and instruments, process and manufacturing, wires and cables, consumer electronics, safety and security, and RFID equipment and applications. According to TAITRA, Taiwan has a complete RFID industrial chain, with companies engaged in various aspects of the radio frequency identification business, such as chip, label and reader manufacturing, as well as RF technology, packaging, testing and system integration, making RFID one of the nation’s emerging industries with global competitiveness. Visitors to TAITRONICS 2011, the organization reports, will see many of Taiwan’s first-tier RFID manufacturers displaying a wide range of RFID products, including labels, tags, smart cards, readers, access–control systems, remote controls and software, as well as a variety of RFID applications and solutions. Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, TAITRA—jointly sponsored by the Taiwanese government, industry associations and several commercial organizations—assists the country’s manufacturers and other businesses with reinforcing their international competitiveness, as well as in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets.