Product Labelling in the Automotive Industry

The Early 2000s

In 2004, Verlag & Freie Medien, now the Think WIOT Group, launched the German print magazine RFID im Blick.

At that time, the main focus was on the traceability of goods, access control, and labeling and identification with RFID technology. Metal and water were hostile environments, UHF was not yet state-of-the-art, RFID and sensor technology were mere visions and experts predicted that it would be a long time before RFID would become widespread.

RFID is now an established technology in numerous automation and digitalization projects. The trend is rising.

Internationalization and Wireless IoT (WIOT)

Since 2016, the publishing house has no longer focused primarily on RFID, but on wireless IoT technologies. These include: LPWAN, BLE, NFC, RTLS, UWB, 5G, wireless sensor technology and ORM. RFID is now one of many wireless technologies.

The first English-language magazine Wireless IoT Global was also published in 2016. The Think WIOT Group is now experiencing its strongest growth in Asia and North America.

Think WIOT Group

The publishing house has diversified since 2017.

Today, the portfolio includes two topic-oriented e-magazines, two information platforms, a partner network for more than 70 companies, regular livestreams, video interviews, an end user conference, and joint booths at the Wireless IoT tomorrow.

All activities take place under the umbrella of the Think WIOT Group.

20 Years Later

Supply chains are transparent, processes in the warehouse can be mapped in real time as a digital twin, Manufacturing X achieves a high level of connectivity, big data and transparency, wireless sensor technology, data glasses, robotics and AI expand the applications.

The technologies are developing more rapidly than the implementations.

Benteler Automotive is a division of the German company Benteler International AG, which was founded in 1876 and specializes in metal processes. Its headquarters are located in Salzburg, Austria. The company employs 25,000 people worldwide at 92 locations in 27 countries and operates as a global Tier 1 supplier.

The Benteler Automotive Division develops and produces components such as structural parts, airbag tubes and camshafts for the car body, chassis, engine and exhaust systems, along with solutions for electric vehicles. The company is the world market leader in crash management systems and axle suspensions.

The company required a labelling solution for front and rear axles, suspension struts, wheel carriers and drive shafts to enable the identification and tracking of these components in the supply chain and to reduce manual labelling tasks.

(Image Source: Bluhm Systeme)

Process Requirements

Identification labels in the automotive supply chain are required to contain both a barcode and a QR-code, as well as a unique identification number. These codes and the label must adhere to specific requirments and be both readable and durable. Safety and critical components in particular are subject to strict guidelines.

In Benteler Automotive's production, products are transported on a production line, on which the labelling system must be integrated. A continuous and error-free labelling of products is required. The products have a curved surface, which makes the application of an identification label more difficult.

Objectives of Benteler

Labelling of produced components in compliance with VDA standards
Automation of product labelling
Labelling with barcode, QR code and identification number

The Benteler Solution

Benteler Automotive uses the Legi-Air 4050 labelling systems along its conveyor belts to label front and rear axles, suspension struts, wheel carriers and drive shafts.

The labelling system is modular, enabling an easy integration at different points along the conveyor belts to label different components. Three labelling systems are used to label front and rear axles, suspension struts, wheel carriers and drive shafts. The systems identify the component and print and apply the respective label automatically. Every label is applied to the products with high precision despite the curved application surface. This process only takes a few seconds.

The applied labels contain both a barcode and a QR code, as well as an identification number. Automotive standards for labelling are complied to. The labels are read at later stages in the supply chain in order to identify products in logistics and OEM production processes.

Hardware & Software

Bluhm Systeme – Legi-Air 4050 Labelling System

Advantages

Labelling of produced components in compliance with VDA-Standards
Automation of product labelling
Labelling with barcode, QR code and identification number

Learn More

Questions? Get in touch with the editorial team!

Product Labelling in the Automotive Industry

Brand Think WIoT