Department - Author 1
Industrial Technology
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Industrial Technology
Date
12-2009
Primary Advisor
Jay Singh, M. Djassemi
Abstract/Summary
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been around for roughly 40 years, yet the technology has not been widely implemented. Bar codes currently dominate supply chains as the main method for tracking asset, but RFID has the potential to completely remove the need for bar codes. While bar codes need to be individually scanned RFID tagging allows for instantaneous scanning of complete pallet loads. This drastically reduces the amount of time and labor needed to monitor and track assets throughout supply chains. Yet, at this time RFID tagging is unable to be adopted by the majority of manufacturers due to the high cost of readability. RFID tag readability is easily influenced by the surrounding environment. As such, the consistencies of modern RFID systems vary greatly in relation to their operating environment. In order for RFID to move towards complete adoption, tag readability needs to be consistent throughout all environment situations while remaining cost effective. This study was focused on the evaluation of Sirit Technology’s Electronic Transfer Device ( ETD) as a possible solution for cost effectively improving tag readability in supply chain conditions. In order to simulate actual supply chain conditions, the ETD was tested with different product types, pallet orientations and forklift speeds. The results indicated that the ETD did provide significant improvement in readability. Cases without the addition of the ETD had a mean read rate of .22 cases per pallet load while cases with the ETD attached had a mean read rate of 21.2 cases per pallet load.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/itsp/1