What is an RFID industrial carrier?
Un RFID industrial carrier (also known as an RFID industrial tag or RFID data carrier) is a durable RFID tag used in industrial automation environments. It can be installed on equipment, fixtures, Pallet, moulds, Prodotti, or vehicles to carry unique identification information, and works with a reader to enable automatic identification, Monitoraggio, and data exchange. It is an important component of industrial digital production.
Unlike consumer-grade tags, RFID industrial data carriers have higher requirements in terms of structural design, durability, and data security, making them suitable for extreme environments such as high temperatures, oil contamination, impact, and metal interference.
Core Functions of RFID Industrial Data Carriers
In industrial manufacturing, smart logistics, process control, e altri campi, RFID industrial data carriers perform the following key functions:
Identity Recognition: Each data carrier has a unique ID, enabling digital numbering of workpieces, Materiali, Strumenti, and other objects.
Data Recording: Supports repeated read/write operations to record production status, process information, quality inspection data, ecc.
Tracking and Traceability: Integrates with system platforms to enable visual tracking of the entire manufacturing process
Process Control: Guides automated equipment (such as robots, machining centres) to accurately execute tasks
Error-Proofing: Prevents assembly errors or process deviations through matching verification
Applicazione 1: RFID Tags in Automotive Manufacturing
The automotive manufacturing process is extremely complex, involving multiple stages such as stamping, saldatura, pittura, and final assembly. Each vehicle has different components and process parameters.
📌 Application Scenarios
Fixtures on the assembly line
Reusable parts trays
Module components such as battery packs, seats, and instrument panels
🎯 Value Proposition
Track operation records at each workstation
Automatically retrieve corresponding parts and process parameters
Real-time alerts for production anomalies
Reduce reliance on manual labour and enhance quality control standards
Per esempio, Volkswagen uses UHF industrial tags to track the entire vehicle production process, achieving a 25% increase in production efficiency.
Applicazione 2: Pallet Identification in Electronics Manufacturing
In SMT (Surface Mount Technology) electronics manufacturing, the flow and location management of materials are critical.
📌 Application Scenarios
Pallet/material box/material rack positioning management
PCBA board production process control
Data synchronisation for reflow soldering and wave soldering processes
🎯 Value Proposition
Accurate identification of product types within pallets
Traceability of processing information for each circuit board
Implementation of a ‘board follows information’ production mechanism
Reduction of error rates and optimisation of line change efficiency
Many EMS (electronic manufacturing services) companies have deployed HF tags to achieve transparent digital management of their factories.
Applicazione 3: Mould Identification and Lifespan Management
Moulds are high-cost assets commonly used in injection moulding, pressofusione, and other processing stages, and their maintenance and usage history must be strictly controlled.
📌 Application Scenarios
Mould lifespan monitoring
Historical query of mould retrieval
Binding of moulds to machines/orders
🎯 Value Proposition
Record each usage instance and maintenance time
Prevent product defects caused by overuse
Achieve digital asset management of moulds
Per esempio, Haier’s smart factory uses RFID industrial tags to digitally monitor the entire lifecycle of moulds, improving mould usage efficiency by 18%.
Applicazione 4: Workpiece Identification on Automated Production Lines
In discrete manufacturing enterprises, each workpiece may have a different process route. Automated production lines read RFID tag information to automatically match processes.
📌 Application Scenarios
Workpiece fixtures with RFID tags guide the production line
Intelligent switching in automated processing lines
Process verification and error prevention
🎯 Value Proposition
Enable mixed-line production of multiple product varieties
Quickly respond to order changes and switches
Reducing changeover time and error rates
Achieving flexible manufacturing
Siemens factories have widely adopted industrial tags, enabling smart factories to achieve flexibility, trasparenza, and visualisation capabilities.
Classification of RFID industrial tags
| Classification | Descrizione |
|---|---|
| Frequency classification | HF (13.56 MHz) is suitable for short-range high-stability reading and writing, while UHF (860-960 MHz) is suitable for long-range batch reading |
| Enclosure Material Metal | Metal, Ceramica, high-temperature-resistant plastic, PPS, Silicone, and so on., to accommodate various industrial environments |
| Installation Methods | Screw mounting, embedded installation, saldatura, adhesive bonding, magnetic attachment, ecc. |
| Data Capacity | From read-only ID to user-writable data exceeding 2KB, meeting diverse requirements |
Environmental Requirements and Typical Parameters
| Parameter Item | Descrizione |
|---|---|
| Temperatura di funzionamento | -40°C to +250°C (special packaging required for high-temperature environments) |
| Distanza di lettura | depending on environment and power |
| Protection Rating | IP65~IP68 |
| Interference Resistance | Optimised design to withstand reflection interference from metal and water environments |
| Data Retention Time | Sopra 10 anni |
| Read/Write Cycles | ≥100,000 times |
System Composition and Integration Recommendations
A complete RFID industrial identification system includes:
RFID industrial tags: Adaptable to different workpieces or fixtures
Industrial-grade readers: Available in fixed, Palmare, or gate-type configurations
Control system interface: Connects to MES, Erp, and other systems to achieve data synchronisation
Identification logic algorithms: Includes mechanisms such as anti-re-reading, anti-interference, and anti-code mixing
Before system deployment, it is recommended to conduct environmental assessments, tag selection verification, and reader power calibration to ensure identification accuracy and efficiency.
Comparison between RFID industrial tags and QR codes
| Feature Comparison | RFID Industrial Tags | QR Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Method | Contactless automatic identification | Visual scanning |
| Reading Speed | Fast batch processing | Individual sequential scanning |
| Service Life | Long (environmentally resistant packaging) | Prone to wear and tear |
| Data Writability | Appoggiare | Not support |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Although QR codes are more cost-effective, RFID industrial tags clearly have a significant advantage in industrial scenarios such as high-intensity, heavily polluted, and fast-paced production environments.
Future Development Trends
With the accelerated advancement of Industry 4.0 e la produzione intelligente, RFID industrial tags will continue to evolve:
High-temperature, miniaturised, and long-range tag products will continue to emerge
Deep integration with edge computing, AI recognition, and digital twin systems
Playing a greater role in unmanned production lines, flexible manufacturing, and smart logistics
Future factories will no longer rely on human judgment; every component and every process will be data-driven, and RFID industrial tags are one of the foundational technologies enabling this vision.
📩 Conclusion
As a core foundational technology for industrial automation, RFID industrial tags are quietly transforming manufacturing processes. From automotive, electronics to heavy industry, every stage can benefit from the traceability, manageability, and identifiability they provide.
If you have any needs regarding the selection, customisation, or system integration of industrial RFID tags, please feel free to contact us. We will provide you with professional advice and solutions.
