Voyantic, a global leader in RFID testing solutions, is proud to announce the launch of the new encoding feature for Tagsurance 3 quality testing system. The latest software release enables encoding and quality control of RAIN RFID labels in high-speed production machines with a single system.
As the demand for RAIN RFID labels is expected to grow exponentially, with billions produced annually, manufacturers need integrated, high-speed systems. The Tagsurance 3 system with encoding feature meets this demand, allowing seamless integration into production lines and eliminating the need for external encoding solutions. The Tagsurance 3 system is modular and scalable and can easily fit into various machine types. The user-friendly, browser-based operating UI helps with adoption at sites.
“At Voyantic, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that help our customers excel in RFID,” said Jukka Voutilainen, Voyantic’s General Manager. “This upgrade significantly enhances the Tagsurance 3 system’s capabilities, making it a powerful all-in-one solution for RAIN RFID inlay and label production.”
Uncompromised speed and reliability
The Tagsurance 3 system maintains high throughput without compromising the speed and efficiency of the production process. It supports encoding in high-speed machines and can even reach lane speeds for converting machines.
Additionally, the system’s reliability is paramount. Non-encoded, incorrectly encoded, or double-coded labels can create significant challenges for RAIN RFID users. To address this, the Tagsurance 3 system is designed for continuous, error-free operation during extended production runs, ensuring the highest reliability standard in large-volume manufacturing.
Main specifications:
One encoding station per lane is supported
“BlockWrite” data to any writeable tag memory and lock the tag memories (Reserved, EPC, User)
Supported ISO 18000-63 (EPC Gen2v3) commands
BlockWrite
Lock
Read
1-12 lanes
Lock the selected memories permanently
Verify the data is correctly encoded (Read test with verification)
The commercial release of the Tagsurance 3 encoding feature, available starting 10th of April, will be offered as a separate license on top of the existing Tagsurance 3 system. A hardware version 4.x is required to utilize this feature.
I’m a seasoned B2B marketer currently exploring the world of RFID. My passion lies in people and creating efficient organizations, but as a bit of a tech geek, I’ve always been fascinated by technological innovations and marketing tech.
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!
A screenshot of Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x software user interface.
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 upcoming 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.
Updating your Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x software has been made easy.
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.
I’ve been working at Voyantic since January 2019, nowadays I work as a Senior HW Designer in our HW team. I do mainly RF and electronics design for our products, but I also know something about mechanics, programming and business administration. Sometimes I feel surprisingly extroverted and might even speak in a webinar or write a blog post.
We continuously seek to improve our products to answer your needs, like making your job easier with user-friendly test systems or improving testing quality. This time, we made some nice improvements to Snoop Pro, one of the components used in the Tagsurance 3 system. The Snoop Pro 2.0 has:
Improved unit-to-unit RF performance variance
Integrated strobe feature
Smaller size and better usability
The improvements were made with backward compatibility in mind to make Snoop Pro 2.0 almost a drop-in replacement for Snoop Pro 1.x, which means:
RF backward compatibility: when testing tags/inlays, the test results with Snoop Pro 2.0 are within the test results variance of Snoop Pro 1.x
Mechanical backward compatibility: Snoop Pro 2.0 has the machine integration attachment holes at the same positions as Snoop Pro 1.x, and also the same shielding plates can be used
Let’s check it out.
Improved RF performance variation with RF backward compatibility
I’m starting with the RF performance because I just love RF. A nice new feature for the Snoop Pro 2.0 is the improved variance, making the produced units more uniform in RF performance. This means that if you test one tag with multiple different Snoop Pro 2.0, the results are very similar.
Illustrated example of the RF backwards performance.
Why is this so nice? I’m so glad I asked. It’s nice because if you want to use identical recipes for different production lines or even factories, the Snoop variance does not prevent doing that. So, better testing quality for your products. However, keep in mind that Snoop is only one of the components in the system; other things, such as the environment near the Snoop or cabling, might still have too much effect.
One of the most important requirements was the RF backwards compatibility so one can replace a Snoop Pro 1.x with the Snoop Pro 2.0 and be done with it. Our definition of RF backwards compatibility is as follows:
With the Snoop Pro 2.0, measured results are within the variance of Snoop Pro 1.x results OR within ±1.0 dB from the center of the Snoop Pro 1.x result envelope average
The difficult part is that the Snoop is always used with a tag/inlay on top of it and together they form a complex structure where every part plays a role. Since all tags/inlays are different and are affecting the Snoop differently, an excessive amount of measurements was performed to make sure we have covered most of the imaginable situations. Especially large tag models couple with the Snoop strongly and have an effect on the performance. Bah, physics and its precious laws.
Voyantic offers different kind of extensions for Snoops and those are compatible with the Snoop Pro 2.0. However, for the extensions there is no backwards compatibility in RF performance even though the results are close.
Integrated strobe feature
The Snoop Pro 2.0 has a built-in strobe functionality that can be turned on/off with a switch. White LEDs illuminate the trigger position (the moment when the testing/encoding starts), and red LEDs show tags/inlays that are failing the tests.
With the strobe light coming from below the material under test, the strobe is more effective than when the light comes from above. In a Tagsurance 3 system, the Snoop strobe shares a station connector with a TSU, so there’s no need to configure a new station to get it working. The Snoop Pro 2.0 can also be used without connecting the strobe cable; it does not affect the RF performance. The new RJ45 connector was added for the strobe functionality (don’t be fooled by the connector; no ethernet traffic there).
New size, looks, and usability
The Snoop Pro 2.0 no longer wears green; it now has a black-and-white appearance and a slightly reduced size. The new color was picked because of the integrated strobe functionality; white reflects the most light, which is essential for the strobe.
Snoop Pro 2.0 appearance.
With a careful redesign, we could replace the large external RF splitter and the two blue RF cables, making the size of the Snoop more compact. This helps a bit when trying to fit many Snoops in a multilane system where the space is limited.
The magnets were also renewed so less force is needed to change the shielding plate and you don’t not accidentally rip off the copper gaskets during the changing. Less hassle is always nice.
Conclusion
With the backwards compatibility, you can easily integrate the new Snoop Pro 2.0 to your testing systems. With the strobe integrated into the Snoop it is easy to use and doesn’t require additional configuration in the Tagsurance 3 recipe. The improved unit-to-unit variance allows you to more easily use identical recipes between lanes. All with the new Snoop Pro 2.0.
Voyantic announces the launch of a new version of Tagsurance 3 system, an inline quality testing system for RFID tag production. The launch of Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x marks a significant upgrade to the previous version 3.x systems with exciting new capabilities and enhanced usability. This release introduces cloud-based features and lays the groundwork for future functionalities, including encoding operations using the same setup.
The new Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x architecture is designed with the future in mind, unlocking powerful cloud-enabled features. The online connectivity streamlines maintenance work by enabling effortless software updates, simplified license renewals, and enhanced support: diagnostic data can be shared directly with the Voyantic support team for faster troubleshooting and minimized downtime. With this version, Voyantic recommends keeping Tagsurance 3 systems always online to fully leverage the benefits and ensure maximum system efficiency.
Tagsurance 3 Version 4.x also introduces a new browser-based user interface, allowing operators to access the system conveniently from any computer. This eliminates the need for certain peripherals and allows users to connect to the system via a web browser for an intuitive and modernized user experience.
The update also provides a more compact hardware setup, reducing the footprint of controller racks. The new version uses the upgraded Lane Controller 2.0 and the new Server Panel.
Tagsurance 3 Version 4.0 offers backward-compatible APIs that ensure seamless integration with existing systems, safeguarding previous investments and reducing implementation time. Recipes created in previous Tagsurance 3 Version 3.x systems will also continue to work seamlessly, enabling a smooth transition without disrupting existing workflows.
Contact sales@voyantic.com for more information about upgrading your existing Tagsurance 3 system or starting your journey with Voyantic towards improved tag quality.
Voyantic introduces improved major version of its most commonly used coupling element Snoop Pro, which is a key component used in the Tagsurance 3® system.
The latest Snoop Pro 2.0 model features several improvements, including elevated testing accuracy with reduced unit variance, an integrated strobe light, new LED controls, a new space-saving design, and improved shielding plate attachment for smoother handling.
This new version has been carefully developed with compatibility in mind. The previous element version can be easily upgraded, as RF and mechanical compatibility have been fully ensured. This seamless transition ensures that customers can enjoy the latest advancements without needing major system overhauls.
Voyantic continues to focus on innovation and reliability, delivering solutions that enhance the performance and ease of use for its customers.
Contact sales@voyantic.com for a quote for Snoop Pro 2.0 or to start your journey with Voyantic towards improved tag quality.
I enjoy seeing both the Voyantic employees and our customers thrive. The grand majority of my time goes into projects and initiatives that grow the RAIN RFID market in the long term. My remote office is on a boat on the archipelago of Finland.
NRF is a great way to start a year and sniff the winds of the market. Some 2,600 brands with feet on the aisles manifest how the National Retail Federation’s Big Show is the most comprehensive and exhaustive retail technology show on the planet. Read more to find out what I picked up at the show.
Grand themes of RAIN RFID
In a couple of previous years, the buzzwords at the show were AI, omni-channel sales, and loss prevention. AI and loss prevention were still present this year among myriad platforms and analytics. Looking at the demos and displays through the lens of RAIN RFID, I will point out two themes:
Easiness: For a store owner, setting up this unmanned retail solution is super easy. The construction has wheels underneath, so simply push it to its place and take up the wheels. Then plug in the wall socket, and basically, you’re done. No lifts, no wiring, no cameras, nothing. As a customer, tap your credit card as you approach the turnstile, wait for a green color to flash, and through you go – no bins, touch screens, nothing. Just walk out.
Increasing integration: RAIN is embedded in garments, packaging, smart devices, store shelves, and various business platforms. RAIN is the invisible backbone of supply chain management in various industries.
RAIN adoption in various industries
RAIN RFID has matured to a state where the functionality of the technology including the nuts and bolts are non-issues. Even better, high inventory accuracy is a core requirement for any modern retail operation – or is it?
General merchandise leads the way, but the food sector is only taking the first steps along its RAIN journey. Much education and research are still needed to understand whether traceability is needed at the item level and how RAIN labeling will be practically deployed in production processes. Also, the label products are likely to need design modifications—both in terms of materials and application processes and driving down the cost.
Chickens and Eggs coming up
Embedded tagging was present in some way or form practically at all the RAIN RFID tag provider booths on the show. This means that households will soon be filling up with tagged products.
The other side is the sleek RAIN-enabled smartphones that were on display at several booths. Yes, the first wave of products is targeted at enterprise customers, and yes, there were no RAIN-enabled iPhones yet, but the flight trajectory is correct.
Putting these two factors together, RAIN readers and tags will soon be everywhere. This underlines how the chicken-and-egg problem that our industry has long fought is finally solved.
Retailer’s pain
The variety of suggestions is huge—reimagine, transform, re-invent, revolutionize—as is the variety of data sources. Numerous platforms can pull that data in, aggregate it, and deliver analytics, metrics, etc., in real-time. All this is an integral part of modern retail, and, in theory, making decisions and driving profits up has never been easier.
However, where should we focus, and what decisions should we make next? To me, the exhibition didn’t actually give that direction unless it was to invest in AI and hope for the best.
Circularity is not so much
Efficient supply chains and seamless purchase experiences encourage Americans to buy more and more. It is no wonder that circularity was not a discussion point, at least on the show floor level.
It is likely that the local legislation in the USA will not drive the retail sector to seek circularity in the short term, but perhaps the emerging new business models will. I restate my forecast that sustainability will hit NRF soon—it makes such an excellent buzzword for the next generation of consumers.
I’ve been working at Voyantic since January 2019, nowadays I work as a Senior HW Designer in our HW team. I do mainly RF and electronics design for our products, but I also know something about mechanics, programming and business administration. Sometimes I feel surprisingly extroverted and might even speak in a webinar or write a blog post.
It has been almost four years since I wrote about the possibilities for the RFID industry in this decade. I figured that now would be a good time to review whether that jabbering was making sense and see how the industry has evolved during these past years. This text focuses on RAIN RFID.
The five megatrends I previously estimated that would be important drivers for the RFID industry were:
The development of science and technology
Overconsumption of resources
The amount of waste increases
Population growth and the aging of the population
The development of healthcare
The tag manufacturing volumes are a clear indicator of the industry moving forward. If the >20 percent annual growth for the RAIN tag manufacturing is correct, then over 50 billion were manufactured in the year 2024 and ~150 billion RAIN tags will be manufactured when we get to 2030. Not too shabby. At some point, the growth will inevitably get slower, but the market is still young and full of potential, so we can still expect quite impressive growth numbers for the industry.
An excited fellow with wristwatches on both hands pointing happily at skyrocketing sales numbers.
As for market penetration, retail is still the leader when it comes to volume, but pretty much every relevant sector is expected to have >20 % CAGR in the coming years. The pharmaceutical/healthcare is also steadily growing and that is one of the sectors I listed as a possible driver for the RFID industry. Although the sector is growing, I did most likely overestimate the effect that the population aging, and counterfeit medicine have on the RFID industry.
Sustainability has much more impact on the volumes than the population aging. The overconsumption of resources is one of my favourite topics. I hate wasting pretty much anything: food, clothes, time, you name it. In this aspect, most companies are no different and that can be interpreted from the answers for how the customers see the value they get for buying RFID systems. Sustainability continues to be one of the biggest drivers for the RFID industry. Waste is not wanted.
Latest developments in the RFID industry
Okay, so they’re selling a lot of tags and estimate that to continue to the foreseeable future. That is no excuse to rest on your laurels; the industry needs to evolve and look for new opportunities. In that aspect, some interesting things are now on the table.
The EU is well known for its obsession with regulating every tiny little thing, and the RFID industry should take advantage of that. The upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) is an opportunity for the RFID industry, but it must be done right. For DPP, the value lies in sustainability. One of the things I was talking about in the previous blog was that RFID is not yet present in every step of a product life cycle, and DPP can add to it.
Thinking back on the product lifecycle and how RFID does not cover it fully, the part missing is the end user part of the life cycle. With only a couple hundred thousand handheld RAIN RFID readers sold yearly, it would be crazy to expect everyone to soon walk around with a reader in their pocket, right? Maybe not. Everyone (well, almost everyone) already carries a smartphone, and if that thing could be used as a RAIN RFID reader, there could be some nice opportunities to find ways to add value to that.
An empowered end user realizes she now possesses the capability to read RAIN RFID tags with her smartphone.
These development steps are drivers for circular economy and tags being embedded into items, not just separate labels that can be cut off. In some product categories, like car tires, some items are already tagged, so a Proof of Concept has already been done. Tagging items will bring some demands for the tag designs and testing/encoding:
Durability: If the tags should be functional throughout the tagged item life cycle, durability can be a challenge.
Sustainability: When a tag is part of an item, how can it be recycled? Some development steps have been taken; for example, plastic-free tags are already available.
Chip design: Data retention is one important thing if tags are supposed to be working for years, first throughout the supply chain and then in the hands of end users. Some applications might require more memory, of course depending on what information is needed to be stored in the tag memory.
Testing/Encoding Tagged items: It might be hard to use the same manufacturing lines for inlays and tagged items; investments for new systems are needed.
Summoning dark clouds
Last time, I didn’t talk much about possible threats to the RFID industry; it was all about the possibilities and good stuff. Let’s try something different this time. What kind of threats is the industry facing? I like investing in stocks, and sometimes, I try to come up with business-breaking scenarios when assessing the risk profile. Which kind of black swans could surprise and really hurt the RFID industry? I thought of three different scenarios:
Other technologies replacing RFID: Some other technology or combination of technologies could solve the same problems as RFID. How do we battle that? It all lies in the value provided by the RFID technology, that value must be higher than that of the technologies competing with it. The industry must evolve to answer future needs; standing still is hardly the winning strategy.
Radio spectrum reallocation: It’s not enough to compete against technologies trying to solve the same problems as RFID; there is a limited space in the radio spectrum, and there are other users who would love to get it. Allocating the current RFID frequencies for some totally different use would hurt a lot. Why would this ever happen? The same thing applies here as in the previous one: providing more value than the competitors is the key.
Security and privacy: The more the markets are flooded with RFID tags and data (this is wanted), the more opportunities there are for mischief (this is unwanted). Moving forward and evolving must not happen without taking this seriously. Fortunately, many other technologies have faced similar issues, and there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Then why is this important? Because if this goes wrong even once, coming back from that and gaining customer trust won’t be easy.
Black swan destroying RFID technology, represented by a warehouse.
Grim, that’s for sure. This is not to say that these scenarios are likely to happen, but work must be done to prevent them from happening. Maybe they’re more like grey swans, not really black ones?
All in all, I think the future is looking bright for the RFID industry, and based on the growth estimates by the RFID industry players, others do, too. The growth drivers are there; now, the industry just needs to deliver. At the same time, taking an active part in the latest technological developments and different kinds of regulatory matters should ensure that RFID stays proactively on top of things.
How Does Antenna Choice Impact Your RAIN RFID System?
Selecting the right antenna can make or break the performance of a RAIN RFID system. Our recent webinar on October 10, “Choosing the Right RAIN RFID Antenna”, provided a deep dive into the critical aspects of antenna selection for RAIN RFID systems.
We explored the fundamental principles of antenna choice, essential parameters to consider, and ways to match antenna features with specific application needs.
The webinar featured insights from industry experts including Daniel Eisen, RFID Engineer at Times-7, Jos Kunnen, CTO at Times-7, along with Sami Rautanen, Senior Hardware Designer, and Teemu Ainasoja, Sales Director, both from Voyantic.
Together, they shared valuable insights into antenna fundamentals, best practices, and considerations for optimizing RFID system performance.
Key Highlights of the Webinar
Key Factors in Antenna Selection
RF Fundamentals in RAIN RFID Systems
Choosing the Best Antenna Polarization for Your Needs
Practical Advice for Antenna Selection
Questions to Ask Your Antenna Supplier
Key Factors in Antenna Selection
Every application has unique requirements, so understanding the essential factors in antenna selection is crucial. Our speakers discussed parameters like frequency, wavelength, and RF (Radio Frequency) characteristics, all of which affect how antennas interact with RFID tags in various environments.
Frequency and radiation pattern: Each antenna has an operating frequency. RAIN RFID operates in 860 – 960 MHz, so make sure you choose the right antenna for your reader. Understanding the radiation pattern is important in order to read the datasheet and select the best antenna for your application.
RF Characteristics: Factors such as RF field strength and energy distribution influence how well an RFID system reads tags, especially in environments with metal, liquids, or other RF interference sources.
RF Fundamentals in RAIN RFID Systems
RAIN RFID technology relies on RF signals in the UHF range of 860-960 MHz. Understanding the behavior of these signals is key to optimizing system performance.
Link Budget: Losses in the RF link may cause excessive signal loss and destroy system performance. This problem can be solved with a right reader antenna with a suitable radiation pattern and polarization.
Signal Polarization: The webinar explained how linear and circular polarization can impact read accuracy and range. Linear polarization works well for specific orientations, while circular polarization offers flexibility for tags at various angles.
Choosing the Best Antenna Polarization for Your Needs
Polarization is central to antenna effectiveness. Our experts explained how different polarization types function and when to use each based on application requirements.
Linear Polarization: Suitable for applications where tags are consistently aligned with the antenna. It provides strong signals in a specific direction, ideal for scenarios with controlled orientation.
Circular Polarization: A versatile choice when tag orientation is unpredictable, as it allows signals to be read from various angles. This reduces errors in environments like retail, where items may shift.
Practical Advice for Antenna Selection
Our webinar offered practical tips for balancing gain, beamwidth, and radiation patterns—critical parameters that influence coverage and reliability.
Gain: Higher gain antennas provide a stronger, focused signal ideal for long-range reads, whereas low-gain antennas are better suited for wider coverage in close proximity setups.
Beamwidth and Radiation Patterns: These factors determine how broadly the antenna transmits signals. For example, narrow beamwidth is optimal for focused, direct reads, while a wider beam is suitable for scanning larger areas with multiple tags.
Questions to Ask Your Antenna Supplier
To conclude, our experts provided a checklist of questions to ask when selecting an antenna supplier. Knowing terms like dBi, EIRP, and ERP, as well as understanding compliance requirements, allows you to make informed decisions that ensure efficiency and regulatory alignment.
dBi (Decibel Isotropic): A measure of an antenna’s gain compared to an idealized isotropic antenna. Higher dBi indicates a more focused signal.
EIRP (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power) and ERP (Effective Radiated Power): These metrics help determine the actual power output and range capacity, both essential for meeting regulatory standards.
Watch the Webinar On-Demand
Did you miss the live session? You can still access the full recording here.
The webinar is packed with expert insights to help you make confident, data-driven decisions for your RAIN RFID applications.
I am Sales Director at Voyantic. I have over 15 years of experience from the RFID industry in Europe and the USA. I have two master's degrees: in industrial engineering and in marketing, and two patents in auto-ID technology. I am actively participating in RAIN RFID alliance activities.
Content
It seems to have become a yearly tradition that, at the beginning of the new year, I have a glance at the RFID research published in the past year to get an indication of what the future might bring to our business. This time, we are already six months into the new year, but as they say, better late than never!
If you want to take a broader look back, you can look at our previous recaps from February 2021, February 2022, and January 2023. Sometimes, having a look back can be a great indicator of what the future might bring to our business.
The following analysis examined the headlines of RFID research articles published in 2023 in Google Scholar. There has, undoubtedly, been an impressive selection of fascinating research topics, which means I can’t include all topics and papers in this analysis even if I wanted to. But let’s look at some of the most exciting topics and trends of 2023.
Application-oriented research seems to be on the rise, which is understandable given the industry’s growing and maturing. RAIN RFID use is expanding rapidly to include volume use cases outside of retail, such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and many other fields. Application research supports this market development.
Research expanding from technology development to technology use is a positive sign. The spread of types of applications tells about the applicability of RAIN RFID in several areas.
RFID Sensing in Healthcare
Integrating RFID technology, sensors, and medical diagnostics advances biomedical sciences to a whole new level. This is an interesting and growingly versatile RFID research area.
RFID sensors could be used to monitor the microclimatic conditions in a museum
Coupling Effects
The following studies indicate that understanding and optimizing coupling effects are crucial for enhancing RFID tag performance in various applications.
In conclusion, the RFID research published in 2023 demonstrates significant advancements in various fields, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and intelligent transportation systems. These studies highlight the expanding applications of RFID technology, from improving medical diagnostics and monitoring to enhancing the efficiency of industrial processes and urban infrastructure. The ongoing innovation and diversification in RFID applications underscore the technology’s growing impact and potential for future developments.
The use of RAIN RFID is increasing across industries. One of the applications where RAIN RFID has demonstrated great value is tool management – especially with the expanding availability of specialty tags designed specifically for tool tracking from multiple vendors in the industry.
Organizations have started using RAIN RFID for better inventory management, loss prevention, and accountability. Also, several tool manufacturers are beginning to tag tools with RAIN RFID at the point of manufacturing before tools are delivered to customers.
Earlier this month, we hosted a webinar to address the benefits, challenges, and use cases of tracking tools with RAIN RFID. We also covered the importance of understanding the RF performance of the tagged tools when planning the applications and how you can test the performance of the tagged tools.
Our expert speakers at the webinar were Bhavik Ghaghada from Xerafy and Rajiv Anand from InThing.
Or you can read on for a summary of some of the key points from the webinar.
Why are companies using RAIN RFID for Tool Tracking?
Tool tracking with RAIN RFID provides many of the same benefits as any other application:
Enhanced inventory management – RFID enables efficient tracking and management of tool inventory, reducing losses and misplacements
Increased operational efficiency – Automated tool management reduces manual labor, leading to cost savings
Real-time location intelligence – RFID tags on tools can be used for tracking the location and the movement of tools within work processes, facilitating pattern detection and preventive maintenance.
There are also some unique benefits arising from safety, compliance, and work process considerations.
Unique RFID Use Cases for Tool Tracking
In addition to the obvious benefits of improved inventory management and loss prevention, many industries have specific regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements that require accurate and efficient tool management solutions.
During the webinar, Rajiv covered a few interesting industry-specific examples where accurate tool management is critical:
FOD in Aviation – FOD stands for Foreign Object Debris. In aviation, it is critical to ensure that no tool is left behind, for example, in a plane’s engine when it’s being maintained. FOD can potentially have catastrophic consequences.
FME in Nuclear – In the nuclear industry the term used is FME – Foreign Material Exclusion. Similarly to FOD, a tool left behind in the reactor or other critical locations can lead to disastrous consequences.
RSI in Healthcare – RSI stands for Retained Surgical Instruments and refers to a situation where a surgical instrument is accidentally left in the patient’s body, leading to serious consequences.
Calibration in Research Labs – Research labs often have thousands of tools that require regular calibration for specific research projects. Missing the calibration time can lead to inaccurate research results and delays.
Equipment and tools in Manufacturing – In some manufacturing processes tools are also calibrated and designed for specific jobs. A misplaced tool on the wrong workstation can lead to serious errors in the manufacturing process and product defects.
Why is Tool Tracking Challenging?
Tools are versatile objects, coming in many shapes and sizes. Tools are typically made from metal, which is a challenging material from an RF perspective. RAIN RFID tags that are used on tools need to be specifically designed to be used on metal objects and specific form factors.
Tools are also often used in challenging environments. Exposure to dirt, oil, chemicals, heat, and cold also creates unique requirements for the durability of the tags.
Tools inventories are also typically large and often stored in bags or containers where tools can freely collide with each other and are not stored in fixed positions. This also poses challenges and requirements for the RFID system and hardware.
All these challenges can be addressed with careful system planning, testing, and deployment.
Why is RFID a great technology for tool tracking?
During the webinar, three key benefits could be identified that make RFID a great technology for tool management:
Digital identity– RFID provides a unique digital identity for tools and enables an efficient way for automated inventory and batch management, for example, compared to barcode technology where each item needs to be scanned individually.
Durability– RFID tags come in various sizes and form factors, including very small sizes for smaller tools. RFID tags can be protected with hard enclosures and other protective materials to make them durable enough for tools. Barcode labels and stickers with printed information are subject to wear and tear when tools are used.
Scalability – RFID systems are scalable and can be expanded to new applications and future needs of the organization. Utilizing the existing infrastructure can potentially bring additional cost savings.
Best Practices and Considerations
First step – Tag Selection
A critical step in an RFID-based tracking project is to select the right tag for the application. Smaller tags are suitable for tracking hand-held tools whereas power tools and larger equipment may require more rugged case and attachment options. The tool’s material also affects the choice of the tags as tags are always designed to work optimally with specific materials.
Step two – Tag attachment
The tag attachment phase is critical for reliable system performance and a longer tag lifespan. If the tags are not properly mounted on the tool, it can lead to tags detaching from the tool or being damaged when the tool is used.
A typical tag attachment process includes applying a base adhesive, then placing the tag on the adhesive and letting it cure. The next step is to apply an epoxy encapsulation over the tag to protect the tag. The last step is to add heat shrink tubing that protects the tag from external factors and keeps it tightly attached to the tool.
Tag Position and Orientation
Tool tags are typically designed to be mounted to a specific orientation in relation to the tool. One reason for this is that the metal in a typical tool, such as a wrench, also affects the tag’s performance. When the tag is aligned with the tool as designed by the tag developer, the performance of the tags will be more consistent, leading to more consistent application performance.
You should also avoid placing the tags where they interfere with using the tool. Also, tags should not be covered by metal that interferes with the tag’s performance.
Tools with embedded tags
Tool manufacturers are increasingly activating in offering tools with RFID. Manufacturers have started to provide tools with RAIN RFID tags integrated into the tools at the point of manufacturing. Embedded tags will eventually eliminate the tag attachment process steps.
Tools with embedded RFID tags.
Why is testing the RF performance of the tagged tools important?
Realizing the full benefits of using RFID in tool tracking requires that the application works as planned – in other words, the RFID tags on tools are read and detected accurately and reliably. RFID tags designed for tools are optimized to work well on metal items and specific form factors. However, the RF performance is always affected by the object it is affixed to and how it is positioned towards the reader. Testing the RF performance of the tags is important to ensure reliable and consistent read ranges and to help choose the best tag for the application. It will be difficult to design a reliable tool-tracking system if there is a high variance in the tagged items’ read ranges.
If you would like to learn more about testing the performance of the tagged tool with Voyantic Tagformance Pro, watch the webinar recording from 25:00-33:48.
Some of the key takeaways from the performance testing presentation included:
Ensure the correct testing setup: Adjust the reference tag position and orientation to match the tool tag position
The threshold sweep test reveals the maximum read ranges for the tag and the tuning of the tag – to which frequency range the tag is optimized for.
The orientation sensitivity of the tagged tool reveals how well the tool can be read from different angles.
The Tagged-Item Grading tests reveal whether the tagged-items pass pre-defined performance criteria, for example, if the tool passes the same grades as the end-users currently used tools, providing good information for the RAIN RFID system designers and end-users when adding new tags to the system.
The performance of the RFID-tagged item should be well documented to help systems designers and end-users!
Testing the tagged tools’ RF performance on the production line is critical when tools are tagged in volumes!
This orientation sensitivity test revealed that the tool can be read well when the tool’s long side faces the antenna. When the endpoints are facing the antenna, the read range drops dramatically.
Considerations for the Tracking System Features
The software component of the tracking systems is equally important to the capabilities of the RFID tags and reader hardware. Especially when tools are tagged and traced for compliance and safety applications, the software platform needs to have the right features to handle the workflow and process requirements. Use cases are unique in many cases, but some of the main considerations include:
Process Automation – For example, if a tool is missing or misplaced, or due for maintenance or calibration, the software component of the system must be able to alert the right individuals at the right time. For real-time operations, seamless workflows are the key to realizing the system benefits.
Data management features – How data is managed and added to the database, what information can be included, and how data is configured and managed.
Robust user and rights management – Employees from different functions in the organization often need to access the same system. For example, the tool users and people responsible for maintenance do not need to access the same features as the system administrators.
Location management – If real-time location is required, the software must provide the functionality for configuring locating applications and timely information based on the item’s location.
Workstationrequirements – Does your application require a fixed station with self-service kiosk features for processes such as checking tools in and out or auditing the available tools?
Requirements for mobility – how is inventory management done? Is there a need for hand-held readers and mobile workstations?
If you would like to learn more about tracking and tagging tools with RAIN RFID, watch the webinar recording or contact us with any questions. And be sure to sign up for our blog updates!
