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PolySto: RFID registers and identifies polymer composite kerbs during manufacturing process
The customer
PolySto Group, with headquarters in Lokeren, Belgium, is a leading manufacturer of hygienic protection for wall panels for the food industry. Its product range includes among others polymer composite plinths and kerbs (patented CleanRock core material) used depending on the type of end customer.
The challenge
PolySto manufactures kerbs in various sizes for supermarkets, logistic players in the food industry etc. For each kerb, different moulds and inserts (specs which define the height or width of the kerb for example) are available throughout the production process.
In order to optimise the accuracy of the counting, PolySto was looking for a way to automatically register and identify each manufactured piece, each insert and each mould, enabling to link them to each other throughout the production process.
The solution
Aucxis suggested to implement the RFID Asset Management solution. In a prior proof of concept, Aucxis defined the required tag types and detection points in order to realise the desired performance and adjustment of the tags.
RFID tags
- The UHF RFID tags for the kerbs are mounted during the production process and linked to the required inserts and moulds per type of kerb.
- Durable on-metal UHF Gen2 RFID tags for the moulds and inserts.
RFID detection points
- Fixed reading point at the roller conveyor where the kerbs, together with the moulds and inserts, are read, written and linked to each other.
- Fixed reading point for steering the production robot: the data of the tag in the kerb is read and sent to the robot. In this way, the robot knows which type of kerb is ready and is set to perform the correct operation on it.
- RFID hand scanner: after visual control of the manufactured kerbs, PolySto can determine the quality based on the level of tolerance of the piece (A or B).
Aucxis Middleware HERTZ en front-end software POLARIS
The Aucxis middleware HERTZ takes care of the communication between the RFID hardware and PolySto’s business application for steering the production robot. HERTZ also ensures the filtering, processing and sending of the data to POLARIS. Via the POLARIS web portal, PolySto has an overview of the manufactured kerbs per type.
The result
- Accurate and quick counting: the automated registration and identification of the pieces, accessories and moulds enables PolySto to have a very clear insight into the number of manufactured kerbs based on the various specs;
- Manual counting is a thing of the past: the automation of the scans increases the efficiency and reduces the pressure on the production manager;
- Quick and correct steering of the production robot;
- Permanent overview of the production via the POLARIS web portal;
- Lifelong identification;
- Definition of the quality of the kerbs via the handheld;
- Seamless integration with existing software systems.
The future
PolySto is considering applications for the end user (NFC possibilities via the smartphone). If desired, RFID can also be used for inventory purposes later on.