Efficient and Transparent Goods Flows With Pallet Power
Up to Nine Stacked Empty Pallets Are Read Simultaneously
UHF RFID
Read/Write Head Marries Material Data with the Pallet
The chemicals company transports goods on returnable pallets. An RFID tag which is provided with a unique ID is embedded in each transport pallet in order to link the data closely to the material or product conveyed. This tag is written for the first time in the packaging area. It is here that TN-Q120 read/write head virtually “marries” the specific material information with the pallet before it reaches the goods center.
The transmission of the cube-shaped UHF reader complies with ISO 18000-6C, and thanks to its IP67 protection type can operate if necessary in harsh environments with temperatures between -20 and +50 °C.
Other type TN-Q120 RFID readers are installed in the warehouse along the automated conveying line. They record incoming and outgoing goods movements and also register the exact position of the pallets. The TN-Q175 read/write head is used at other locations wherever a particularly high level of power is required. These enable the reliable reading of nine stacked empty pallets.
IP67 Interface for Direct RFID Integration
The TBEN-S2-2RFID-4DXP RFID interface is used between the RFID reader and the IT network in order transfer the information from the read/write heads rapidly to a production control system in the ERP.
The ultra-robust RFID module (IP67/IP69K) is designed for mounting outside of the control cabinet and allows the connection of two UHF read/write head as well as sensors and actuators at the same time. “The interface is easy to configure and powerful enough to transfer data from the RFID readers to the PLC quickly, even when multiple pallets are being read,” says Han Qingyun, electronics engineer at New Trend International Logistics Technology.
The special feature of the compact module is its simple system integration without the need for any programming effort or function blocks. The TBEN-S also “speaks” three Ethernet protocols: Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP.
Conclusion: Better Warehouse Utilization, Greater Security
The data on incoming and outgoing goods enables the ERP system to continuously synchronize inventory levels. For users this is a major relief, especially since they can also access real time information about available capacity or the position of transport pallets. It enables the optimum use of space resources. Knowing where and which goods movements are taking place, however, also meets the safety requirements of the chemicals industry.
Greater efficiency ultimately also has an effect on costs. In other words, far fewer manual operating steps and material costs are required for warehouse management. Identification processes via RFID are automated; and rewritable tags enable the multiple use of transport pallets.
The RFID interface TBEN-S2-2RFID-4DXP between RFID reader and and IT network is easy to configure and powerful enough to read the data of the RFID reader even in the case of multiple pallet captures.
The special feature of the compact module is the simple system integration without programming effort or functional modules.