A Bolt For RFID

In many cases, RFID tags are only as good as the package that carries them. In recent years with the explosion in the use and acceptance of RFID, many different types of tag packaging have become available. In these cases, these new packages have been based around low-cost labels. But when it comes to the industrial use of RFID, strength and reusability are an absolute must and there is a package for that too.

Databolt examples.

This package is called the Databolt™. The Databolt is most likely what you might picture when you hear that name in reference to RFID. It is literally an industrial grade bolt with an RFID tag embedded inside. Usually the tag is located in the head of the bolt. The bolt body is usually made of a type of tooling steel which has been treated or hardened for maximum longevity. In several automotive applications today, the Databolt is screwed into a part, typically metal, programmed with data as needed and then erased and removed only to be taken back to the beginning of the process and used again. But there are new applications where a Databolt can be screwed into a part like an oil or gas valve, cylinder or plate as a bolt for example, and then used as a track and trace method for things like field servicing once the device is installed or in use.

Survey Says: “UHF RFID works”

To give you an idea of where I’m going to take this, let me ask a few simple questions. Would you buy a mattress without laying down on it to see if it’s comfortable? What about a motor cycle or car? Would you buy one without a test drive? In that same vain, would you want your company to invest in UHF (ultra-high frequency) RFID (radio frequency identification) equipment for a RFID project without anything more than specs if you didn’t have to? I would assume the answers are: “of course not”.

Vision sensors conquer 1D and 2D barcode reading applications

2D barcode example

Written by: Andrew Bollinger

Many industries are trending toward the adoption and use of two-dimensional barcodes and readers. Thus the growth in popularity, acceptance of use, and the positive track record; 2D code readers offer a better way to track data.

Full Color Sensing

Written by: Andrew Bollinger

Interested in learning how the software behind a color sensor works?  This demonstration shows how easy it is to analyze the color values and differences in eight paint samples. 

RFID Embraces The Cloud

One of the biggest advantages of using Radio Frequency Identification in industry and logistics today is the visibility it can provide into the process. With the use of Cloud Computing, that visibility can be achieved with greater flexibility and lower cost.

Cloud Computing provides a means of leveraging shared IT infrastructure and standardized software modules to collect and present RFID data without having to develop, maintain and most importantly, finance a redundant and load balanced infrastructure. Cloud applications also provide visibility and access anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

Get it in Writing?

I recently attended the RFID Journal Live 2011 trade show and conference in Orlando, FL. I really like this event because it brings together a diverse group of vendors, academics and customers in a setting that promotes open, honest discussions. These discussions are about not only technology, but also the state of the markets RFID serves, including aerospace, medical/heath care, defense, supply chain/retail and manufacturing, the process of RFID, like developing your ROI and even the “how to” parts of it all. 

I would highly recommend attending this event to anyone seriously looking to implement RFID, especially at an organizational level. You will gain insight into the advantages of the RFID value proposition and the visibility capability all in one place, at one time. (For future events and to take advantage of RFID Journals offering, go to www.rfidjournal.com)

Industrial Identification – Barcodes

Written by: Andrew Bollinger

In the realm of manufacturing and industrial automation, the need to easily track products and collect information about their whereabouts has been a problem faced by many businesses. The complexities surrounding the details of successfully identifying and recording products’ information have traditionally been solved by implementing codes on the product’s label or package.  The most widely use code today is the one-dimensional barcode. While advances in one-dimensional code reading have continued to improve, new hardware, code readers, and symbology have made an emergence and are proving to be a more reliable means to track information.

Choose The Flavor Of Photo Eye: Light-On Or Dark-On?

Sometimes the things that seem the simple can be the most confusing. In the world of the photo sensor, the principle of “light-on” vs. “dark-on” is one of these things.  What am I talking about you might ask? Let’s see if I can help define these concepts.

Industrial Sensing Fundamentals – Light/Dark Operate

Written by: Andrew Bollinger

A key step in choosing an industrial sensor is to understand the operating mode of the sensor. With digital photoelectric sensors, the input and the output are characterized by one of two sensing terms: Light Operate or Dark Operate. Light Operate (LO) describes a condition in which a photoelectric sensor’s output energizes its load when the sensor “sees” a sufficient amount of light; in other words, no target is present or detected by the sensor. Dark Operate (DO), the complement of LO, is a condition in which the sensor output energizes its load when the target is present.

Click Here to view a chart for further clarification. 

Industrial Sensing Fundamentals – Back to the Basics: NPN vs PNP

Written by: Andrew Bollinger

What’s the difference and why should anyone care? If you’re confused by the terms PNP and NPN, then hopefully this post will shed some light on the differences between the two.  In the context of this post, they refer to the construction of a sensor’s transistor and whether it has a p-type or n-type semiconductor.

The “N” stands for “Negative” and the “P” stands for “Positive”.  With respect to sensors, an NPN device is one that can switch the negative side of the circuit while a PNP device switches the positive side.

The next question to ask is, what direction do you want the current to flow?