Category: Product Updates

The number of RFID tags being produced has increased significantly in recent years, and the growth is expected to continue with the expansion of new application areas. As a result, the need for production speed, efficiency, and various levels of automation continues to grow. Production batches of RFID labels are now manufactured at an accelerating pace, creating greater demand for efficiency. At Voyantic, we continuously develop our systems to meet the future needs of the RFID industry.

With the latest software updates of Tagsurance® 3 (version 4.1.7 and up), we have improved how test data can be accessed and exported. Previously, the test data could only be exported after a job was completed or paused. Tagsurance would mark the transition between lots, but no batch-specific data could be accessed while the system ran. With the latest update, the system enables smooth exporting of lot-specific data even during an active run. Most importantly, you can now download a summary of the lot data—such as yield—during the production process. This makes it possible to review lot-specific performance in real time and, if necessary, mark certain rolls for rework if they don’t meet quality requirements.

Exporting batch results via browser UI while the job is running

While the top menu’s general “Export data” button remains inactive while the job runs, you can click the double-arrow icon to open the lot menu. By hovering over the desired lot, you can export data for that specific production batch while the run is ongoing.

The export function downloads a file package directly to the computer in use. The package includes test data in CSV format, containing the summary file and results for every individual tag tested, allowing for example, closer inspection of failed labels.

See below a short screen recording video demonstrating how the enhanced feature works in the browser UI

Exporting batch results via API while the job is running

With Tagsurance 3 version 4.1.7 (and up), the same new lot data export functionality is also available for customers using the API to export test data. 

Perform the lot data export following these steps:

1) Get the currently running job ID with calling status API `GET /v1/status`

2) Get jobs batches with batch stats API `GET /v1/jobs/{job id}/batch-stats`

3) Start batch result export by calling export `POST /v1/jobs/{job id}/batches/{batch id}/export`

4) Check that export is completed and ready for download by checking export status with status API `GET /v1/status`

5) Download the batch results zip file package

For a detailed demonstration or guidance on setting up API integration, don’t hesitate to contact sales@voyantic.com or support@voyantic.com.

Voyantic recently launched a new version of the Tagsurance 3 system, an inline quality testing system for RFID tag production. With this update, we recommend that customers using the latest version (4.x) keep their systems always connected online. On the other hand, older versions (3.x) should still stay offline. But why the switch? And what benefits come with this new online connectivity?

Let’s dive in!

Cloud-based architecture enables future-proof quality management

With the new version, the Tagsurance 3 system’s architecture has been completely revamped under the hood. The Voyantic team has carefully designed this upgrade with the future and information security in mind. This release marks an important milestone, enabling safe network connectivity for the test system. Voyantic designs its systems using secure development best practices, and regular third-party audits ensure any identified issues are promptly addressed. 

The Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x with online connectivity paves the way for future possibilities, including encoding operations through the same setup. Enabling encoding will only require purchasing a software license, with no need for additional hardware upgrades.

Simpler, faster, and more efficient—whether it’s for daily use or maintenance tasks

Connecting the system to the internet is safe and recommended for unlocking a range of new features. Today, the concrete updates are most noticeable in the new browser-based user interface, which administrators and operators can access from any computer. Let’s examine the latest features designed to ease the system’s use.

1. Update software directly in the user interface

Gone are the days of downloading software update packages separately from voyantic.com and manually performing updates. With this new feature, admins can download and install the latest software versions directly from the user interface via the admin panel—as long as the system is connected to the internet. This ensures your system stays effortlessly updated with the latest features and improvements.

2. Simplified licensing

When your Tagsurance 3 version 4.x system is connected to the internet, it automatically connects to Voyantic’s license server and fetches the license information. Admin users can see all the essential details in the browser-based admin panel, including how long the license is valid, the number of lanes, and Tagsurance stations. It’s all there in one place, making it easy to manage your licensing.

3. Enhanced support

While we hope you don’t need to use this feature, we’ve significantly improved support for the new version. Suppose the system is connected to the internet, and you run into an issue. In that case, it’s now possible to download and send diagnostic files directly to the Voyantic support team through the admin panel. This helps speed up troubleshooting and resolution by providing our team with more accurate data with which to work. Ultimately, this reduces system downtime and takes the headache out of maintenance.

In summary

In the future, online connectivity of the new Tagsurance 3 version will open new business opportunities with the comprehensive management of quality data. Today, online connectivity improves usability and maintenance. It simplifies tasks, adds more features to the user interface, and provides a more efficient way to share information directly with Voyantic.

That said, online connectivity is still optional. Version 4.x systems can also operate offline like the 3.x systems. If you prefer to stay offline, you can still upload software releases and license files from a local computer through the admin panel.

Watch the recording below, where our Senior Product Manager Anirudh Wali demonstrates how the updated user interface and new features work in practice.

It’s been a full year since we last shared the latest in our continuous journey of innovation with Tagsurance 3. Over the past year, we’ve been hard at work, rolling out several significant updates and enhancements. Now, let’s dive into the most noteworthy advancements that have propelled Tagsurance 3 forward!

Since our last update, Tagsurance 3 has evolved from version 3.5.0 to 3.12.0. That’s more than 10 releases packed with a combination of major feature introductions, minor enhancements, and diligent defect fixes. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every update enhances the accuracy and reliability of quality control for RAIN RFID product lines, from chip attachment and label converting to offline reel-to-reel items.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most impactful and requested upgrades we’ve made to Tagsurance 3 over the past year:

Tagsurance has now improved tag response detection

Tagsurance SL UHF can consider a tag bad if the tag response is significantly weaker than the responses used to be for good tags tested by the same Tagsurance SL UHF tester. This response level detection, also called backscatter strength detection, improves the test result quality, especially in multilane processes. In the multilane process, the tester’s sensitive receiver may hear a tag response from the simultaneously tested neighbor tags, but this feature prevents a weak response from being interpreted as a good tag response.

Lot management-related improvements

Lot statistics (yield and tag counts) are shown for the current lot. The lot yield is also displayed per lane:

The completed lots are listed with counts and yields and the lot-specific results can be exported:

Support for external lot control via machine IO input: Tagsurance 3 supports an external signal for a lot change. It is possible for the production machine, e.g. turret rewinder, to give an IO signal when the liner is cut and the lot is changed. The lot change position is parametric in Tagsurance 3 and the position can be set according to the location where, for example, the liner is cut. The lot number is added to the tag results as before. When an external lot control is enabled, only a limited set of action triggers are available.

Tagsurance has cut mark feature

Cut mark is a feature that separates lots visually from each other by the markers. Tags marked as cut marks are not counted in any lot.

API trigger in Tagsurance

• API trigger enables customers who integrate Tagsurance 3 via APIs to trigger any active device anytime. This feature is enabled only when a new type of job is running. When the API trigger is enabled, all other trigger sources are disabled and only a limited feature set is enabled.
• Note: We also plan to bring this feature to operator UI shortly.

IO Only station enhancements 

Support for TAL15k jobs: Now three device types: Tagsurance SL UHF, Tagsurance HF, and IO-only devices can be used in systems using TAL15k or DDA serial interface, although one device type at a time.

The delay compensation for IO-only devices added:

Tagsurance 3 can also support configuring if an IO-only station should return only a pass or fail signal. We have introduced a new configuration option for IO-only stations under lane configuration where an IO-only station can be configured to pulse on passing tags or pulse on failing tags. Users have the flexibility to set the deadline for waiting for a pulse. This can be either until the next trigger or a user-defined timeout value.

Puncher improvement

Tagsurance 3 can now configure a puncher-type station to adjust the puncher trigger pulse duration based on the distance in addition to time. Previously, the puncher station applied pressure against the tags based only on a fixed time duration.

Job archiving

The last 50 jobs (as long as 200 M results in total are not exceeded) can be stored and listed in the Operator UI and their CSV exports can be downloaded; note that the system automatically cleans up jobs from the oldest when the total number of jobs exceeds 50 or total number of stored results exceeds 200 million.

UX improvements

• The speed value in the operator UI is shown in red when the machine runs backward and the speed is negative.
• The Units Per Hour value is displayed in the operator UI. The UPH is calculated based on the past time window which can be configured in Tagsurance 3 settings.
• In operator UI, users can increase the step size of fine-tuning offset by 0.5 mm (instead of the earlier 0.1 mm)

Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and enhance Tagsurance 3. Our dedication to providing unparalleled quality control tools for the RAIN RFID industry remains unwavering. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Notes: The latest Tagsurance 3 version 3.12.0 can be seen here.
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