RFID: THE GAME CHANGER - FineLine ...
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VOL 10,ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019 US $ 20 ` 200
George Hoffman, CEO,
FineLine Technologies
RFID:
THE GAME
CHANGER
Anant Goenka Tony Robinson
CEAT ON A TIRETECHNOLOGY
SURGE EXPO 2019
COVER STORY
RFID:
THE GAME
CHANGER
It is not “IF” but “When,” RFID will be the industry game changer
TA News Bureau
E
very year approximately two billion tyres are produced
worldwide, for a variety of applications, ranging from passenger
to commercial use, the end product of a very complicated and
process-driven industry. Thus there are many regulations and
compliance guidelines which must be followed, within each process
step, where the mishandling of a component can have destructive
consequences. After all, we all have faith that our plane will land safely;
that the truck with chemicals stays on the road; and that our car will
function well at speeds of 200 km/hour on the German Autobahn. The
average price of a set of car tyres is $500 - suppose we drive 40,000
miles with this set, we are confident that for $0.0125 per mile we will
always arrive safely regardless of the weather or road conditions.
Industry, legislative and market pressures are constantly forcing
manufacturers to improve the quality of a tyre, developing more services
and do it all at a lower cost. Tyre producers from low-wage countries can
flood the world markets with tyres that are sometimes half the price than
the established leading brands. To continue to enhance their products
and services, producers must introduce new business concepts such as
“pay per mile”, leasing of tyres or “tyre as a service.” To identify, track,
maintain, and verify these products and services, Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) will be THE No. 1 game changer.
48 Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019
Evolution of RFID technology in the manufacturer), EPC (writable memory area to store
tyre industry the Electronic Product Code, typically 96-bits but
can optionally reach up to 480-bits). For applications
RFID technology traces its roots back to World War demanding more data storage, chips are available
II. About 75 years ago radio identification occurred with additional User Memory (available from 512
within a big box, today this takes place within a chip, bits to 64 Kbytes of user memory). Additionally
that is hardly visible. The current passive RFID form the Reserved Memory area of the chip is used for
is a chip on an antenna, also called a tag, inlay or managing access password, kill password, additional
transponder, which does not require its own energy feature bits and chip overhead. The unique
source, e.g. battery. Rather, the moment the tag combination of the chip TID and user generated
enters the radiation field of an antenna, it harvests unique EPC, can eliminate simple copying and fraud
energy, wakes up, and begins transmitting its unique practices.
number. When individual tags are applied to tyres on
a pallet, counting can be completed very quickly. In a Having a global standard is an advantage to end
matter of seconds it is possible to scan and identify a users. Companies such as FineLine Technologies
large number of tyres. have developed specialised, innovative solutions that
are applicable worldwide.
Better, cheaper, faster and 100%
transparent
As indicated, the tyre industry is constantly
challenged to optimise processes, automate
operations, and at the same time introduce new
business concepts that add value for end customers.
Today, RFID technology operates under a global
standard called UHF (Ultra High Frequency) EPC
Class 1 Gen 2 also known as ISO18000-6C. This RFID
technology standard operates globally in one of two
main frequency ranges – 902 – 928 MHz or 865-
868 MHz. All applications described in this article
have been developed and are compliant with this
global standard. One of the great advantages of this
standardisation is the ability of users, anywhere in
the world, to scan and identify tagged items using
standardised equipment. A standard RFID tag has
several memory features that ensure each product
can be individually and uniquely identified. A
standard UHF EPC Gen2 / ISO18000-6C compliant
chip will have a combination of TID (unique read-
only Tag Identifier burned into the chip by its
FineLine Technologies:
Driving the future with
innovative tyre labelling
FineLine Technologies develops and produces The company has grown through acquisition,
barcoded, and RFID integrated labels, tags, and adding RFID intellectual resources [on staff],
stickers for major tyre manufacturers, retailers, with team members holding more than 5
retreaders and fleet operators, worldwide. decades of RFID experience spanning more than
Our innovative RFID enabled tags for mould five industries and applications. FineLine has
management, tyre production, logistics and fleet bolstered its leadership with industry experts
management organisations are helping to improve and thought leaders such as Mike Borgna,
the global tyre market, with better inventory Jos Uijlenbroek, Marc Flederus, Jan Svoboda
accuracy, traceability and connectivity. Learn and Danika Manchester.
more at www. finelinetech.com/tires/.
Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019 49
COVER STORY
In the past decade, FineLine Technologies and its t 'JSTU-JO mSTU-PVU JT NBEF FBTZ; UIF TZTUFN UFMMT UIF
subsidiaries Data2 and Ferm RFID Solutions have employee which material should be used first.
developed a variety of solutions specifically for the
t 5IF TQFDJmD NBUFSJBM DBO CF SFDPHOJTFE CZ UIF
tyre industry. All applications have been developed
building machine.
in close consultation and input with various tyre
manufacturers and extensively tested in tyre Process steps for tyre building also become
production environments. A variety of tagging transparent and traceable- associating raw materials
applications have been developed and implemented to extruder, die and load carrier.
for each stage of the tyre production process.
An RFID label once applied to a load carrier offers
Inbound raw materials full transparency throughout the processes
RFID labels are used to identify raw materials RFID on building machines
such as rubber, carbon black and chemicals the
The integration of RFID with building machines is
moment they enter the factory. Receiving, inventory
relatively simple. The machine has a RFID reader
management and searching for specific material
connected to the PLC or machine control interface
become quick and reliable with wireless scanning.
of the machine. The building machine knows which
When it is time to use the raw materials in the
type of tyre should be produced. The machine
mixing machine, the tagged materials are reliably
automatically checks by scanning RFID tags,
identified by RFID reader installed on mixing
attached to raw materials or on carriers with the raw
machine and integrated with the machine control
materials, what materials are loaded in the machine.
interface. The machine “knows” which type of
In addition, critical tools and machine parts can be
rubber recipe is being produced and “counts” the
tagged with RFID tags. This enables the machine
unique ingredients. The moment the wrong “big
bag” is loaded, the machine stops, and an alarm goes to automatically check which tools are installed
off, making this critical process step traceable and and which materials are loaded, and ensure they all
reliable. match the production recipe. The machine does not
start if any of the parts or materials are incompatible.
RFID on an extruder machine This makes process step number four reliable,
completely transparent, and traceable. There is
FineLine, in collaboration with a leading tyre still a relationship between the raw materials, the
manufacturer, developed the first RFID solution for extruder, die, specific materials and each individual
extruders and dies. Using a very small tag, every die green tyre itself.
is unique and can be associated with a type of tyre
recipe. The machine recognises which materials are Every critical tool on the building machine has a
being produced and checks which die is placed in the RFID tag and can be associated to type of tyre.
machine (by using an RFID reader on the machine).
When there is no match between type of rubber, tyre Green tyre RFID bead label
type and die, the extruder will not start. Using this When the green tyre is produced, it is automatically
solution, a manufacturing plant will eliminate costly tagged and identified with a RFID barcode bead label
mistakes as well as gain a new level of transparency (or other type of vulcanisable RFID tag), offered by
and traceability within this critical manufacturing FineLine. This label has the unique capability to be
step. Machine recognises die by either handheld scanned by existing barcode systems as well as RFID
reader or stationary reader. Even search & find can readers, unique feature of our bead labels offering
occur within the die library. backward compatibility and simple transition to
RFID technology. This solution allows for automatic
RFID for factory material flow association (creating a “mother/child relationship”)
Tyre components such as body, beads and tread are between the building machine materials, processes,
typically made or prepared in different areas of a operators all associated with each individual green
tyre factory. All the materials need to make their way tyre. From the moment the green tyre is built
to a specific tyre building machine, at the right time and tagged, it is uniquely identifiable within all
and condition. The materials are transported in the subsequent processes. The green tyre can now
factory on load carriers such as spools, bobbins and be placed on a rack and tracked in anticipation
racks. Each load carrier is equipped with a RFID tag of being vulcanised. The rack can also be tagged
that has been specifically developed to be readable and identified as a storage location, creating an
on metal and over various distances. The encoding association with the tagged green tyre until it
of these tags is such that it is recognised throughout enters a curing press. In any case, it becomes nearly
the production process as the specific load carrier or impossible for a tagged and tracked green tyre to
transporter. The moment the material (for example be misplaced or sent to be vulcanised by the wrong
the rubber from the extruder) is loaded onto this press. Through process step, the manufacturing
load carrier we can follow the material through process is still 100% transparent.
the whole process “as unique material.” This gives Using the combination of RFID and barcode bead
exclusive advantages in the entire process such as: labels, manufacturers can implement RFID - step by
t *EFOUJGZJOH UIF MPBE DBSSJFS XJUIJO UFNQPSBSZ step in a controlled manner.
storage in the factory. This means that the right
material for the right building machine can always be
Press, mold, segment, bladder
identified, regardless of how accurate or inaccurate management
the employee is. As a green tyre arrives at a press, it is possible to
50 Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019
establish a direct relationship between the press, different mold components are then associated,
mold, mold segments bladder and the green tyre creating the “mother-child relationship.”
via the RFID barcode bead label and “smart mold”
FineLine has developed a RFID mold tag, specifically
and press solution. First we can check whether
for the mold application and was nominated for “The
the correct mold and bladder are loaded into the
most innovative tyre application of the year 2017” by
correct press. It is also important, before the mold is
Tyre Technology International.
loaded into the press, to verify whether the correct
maintenance has been completed on the mold, the The design of this FineLine solution takes into
right segments have been applied in the correct account not only the harsh environment molds need
order and whether the correct bead rings have to operate in during their useful life, or the RFID
been installed in the mold. FineLine has developed technology performance in the environment, but also
specific RFID tagging solution for molds through the operating and business process flows of mold
years of development and testing. This solution operations. For example, the segment tags have a
is designed specifically for molds, segments, bead reading distance optimised for the ability to scan
rings, bladder plates and the identification and them during mold assembly process and reliably
management of these critical tools. The tags are determine the order of the individual segments in the
simply installed directly in the segments, bead rings mold. The tags developed by FineLine specifically
and bladder ring. A special long range “mother tag” for the molds, segments and bead rings have been
is installed on the mold container with which the tested repeatedly in the harsh tyre manufacturing
New business models
In many situations organisations see RFID as a replacement t *EFOUJGZ BOE QSPWF UIFGU PG nFFU UZSFT. 5IF 3'*% GPBN
of barcodes. When a business uses RFID as a smart barcode, solution supports the automatic mother/ child relationship
then it’s an expensive barcode solution. Organisations that between vehicle, trailer, driver and tyres. By setting up
plan to use RFID should understand and evaluate what this an RFID gate at the entrance of a truck company, fleet
new wireless technology can enable and also consider new managers can regularly track and identify their tyre assets
business concepts, new service offerings and value added as they enter and leave the company premises. The moment
products that leverage RFID technology. The simple fact the truck leaves the premises the company’s relation
that a tyre can be recognized without line of site, in bulk, or between tyres/truck/driver is established. If the tyres are
when connected to a vehicle gives the opportunity to setup replaced or changed “the new tyres for old ones” an alarm
new business models and services to clients. In addition to goes off when the vehicle returns.
the RFID bead label and the RFID tread label, FineLine has
The RFID foam solution can be attached to the tyre
developed an aftermarket RFID solution which can be used
independently from a tyre producer, proving invaluable
to support new business models such as “Pay per Mile” and
for fleet owners. Depending on the type of tyre the foam
“Tyre as a Service”. This RFID foam solution can be applied
to an existing tyre independent of a tyre producer. Having solution can be applied on the inner liner or within the non-
flexing zone of the outer sidewall.
a reading distance of around 2 to 3 meters this RFID foam
solution allows fleet managers to address challenges such as: Overall, the described solutions can be used within various
production environments and types of tyres. There are also
t 3FMJBCMF JEFOUJmDBUJPO BOE USBDLJOH PG FBDI JOEJWJEVBM UZSF
two different types of markets where RFID specifically can
in their fleet, and this includes the ability to read the second
be maximised.
tyre on the same axel.
Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019 51
COVER STORY
RFID for retreading market
Within the retreading market there are two major types of retreaders that deliver a good, quality product, and the retread
retreading processes: Hot retreading using a temperature of industry as a whole.
approximately 160 degrees Celsius within traditional molds.
The use of RFID within the retread market brings enormous
This process is used to retread of airplane tyres; and cold
benefits. Firstly, transparency within production logistics similar
retreading process – which uses a temperatures of around 100
to the tyre manufacturing market, previously described.
degrees Celsius and vacuum envelops to create pressure during
the autoclave process. Secondly, RFID can be used to check which tyre has been
retreaded by which company. By using RFID, regulations and
The retreading market, especially within Asia, faces challenges
standards can be checked even after the tyre is already in use.
such as:
Imported tyres should also be registered, which can be easily
t $IFBQ UZSFT XIJDI BSF FOUFSJOH UIF NBSLFU, UIBU EP OPU NFFU done by using an RFID tread label or bead label.
government regulations, and cannot be retreaded. In many
Another big advantage for retreaders is their direct contact with
instances these tyres are cheaper than retreading a tyre
end-customers, independent of tyre brands. Retreaders can
t 5IF BCTFODF PG DPNQMJBODF DIFDLT PO JODPNJOH UZSFT, UP NBLF offer specialised solutions no individual tyre producer can offer.
sure they comply with the standards and regulations of the
FineLine is constantly developing new products for several
country
different markets within the tyre industry. FineLine is currently
t 4NBMM SFUSFBEFST XIP iSFUSFBE JO UIF CBDL ZBSEw BOE EP OPU in R&D, on specific solutions for retreading market such as an
comply with standards or regulations RFID bead label which can be applied on already vulcanised
rubber to automatically store each production process within
t #BE SFQVUBUJPO, CBTFE PO BVUPNPCJMF BDDJEFOUT SFTVMUJOH GSPN
the retreading of tyres, and to identify retreaded tyres on a
poorly retreaded tyres. These accidents effect the reputable
truck, automatically.
52 Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019
environments, including cleaning processes and pre
heating up to 280 degrees Celsius.
Every segment can be directly associated to the
mold, the sequence can be checked, and the mold
quickly and easily found within mold warehouse (up
RFID
to 7 meters).
After vulcanisation of the tyre, all production data
within
is linked to the individual tyre within the database.
If a defect is found in the tyre during quality control
(or even later in the life of the tyre), it is possible
to identify tools used, process steps taken, material
batches used and intervene directly in the upstream aircraft
environment
processes to prevent more tyres showing the same
problem. Additionally, tyres from the same batch
can be retrieved by means of the identification and
search capability of the RFID bead label.
The production of new aircraft
Within process, a direct relationship is created tyres and the retreading of
between raw materials, extruder, building machine, these tyres is highly regulated.
green tyre, press and the finished tyre. Aircrafts spare parts are subject
to compliance with regulations
RFID tread label
such as the ATA Spec 2000
After the tyre rolls out of the press, passes the created by the airline industry.
quality check, the RFID bead label is automatically The aviation industry has been
scanned. This is the trigger to generate and apply one of the pioneers of RFID
an RFID tread label. This creates a one to one technology adoption and many
relationship between production data and the RFID aircraft parts are already identified
tread label for logistics and inventory management and tracked using an RFID tag.
applications. FineLine has developed an RFID tread A leading airline company and
label that can be scanned as far away as 7 meters, airliner services provider already
regardless of the type of tyre the label is applied requires aircraft tyre suppliers to
on. This RFID tread label is specifically developed apply an ATA Spec 2000 compliant
to support all logistics processes within the tyre RFID tread label on tyres they
purchase. FineLine has developed
a solution to automatically
generate this 2kilobit code from
the backend system of an aircraft
tyre manufacturer and print and
code the label to be compliant with
the airline industry requirements.
This code contains all types of
production data and is therefore
very meaningful. To continue to
address these industry regulations
FineLine has developed an RFID
bead label which can be vulcanised
onto new or retreaded aircraft
industry such as: reading tyres in bulk while they tyres and meets the ATA Spec
are transported on a carrier rack, searching for 2000 requirements.
specific tyres, tyre cycle counting, scanning tyres on
conveyor systems or through dock doors, etc. In the
warehouse, tagged tyres can be located and picked
to fulfill a specific customer order. An automatic
scan of those tyres as they are loaded onto a track
can generate a detailed and accurate advanced
shipping notice (ASN) and proof of shipment to
players, including manufacturers, wholesalers,
the customer. When the tyres are received by the
retailers, retreaders, OEMs and more – across the
customer e.g. wholesaler, retailer or distributor, the
entire ecosystem. The transparency and traceability
RFID tags streamline the receiving process and the
provided by unique RFID codes that can be affixed at
technology can provide further benefits within their
various stages, from production – tracking the mold
warehouse operations.
and mold segments to coupling passenger vehicles or
The process is also transparent, extending to the fleets is tremendous for the industry, worldwide.
end user.
FineLine is prepared to help the tyre industry move
Conclusion its production and sales process forward with the use
of RFID products by innovative and transformative
RFID is changing the tyre industry for all the major methods.
Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019 53
COVER STORY
RFID:
Advantages
all the way
“RFID is the only cost effective technology
today for identifying, tracking and reporting on
tyres at the individual item level meaning each
tyre can have its own identity,” says George
Hoffman, CEO of FineLine Technologies, the first
company to develop and commercialise high
speed RFID encoding capabilities
TA News Bureau
Please elaborate on how FineLine
developed your RFID technology
In previous roles at Paxar U.S., I had the opportunity
to pioneer a lot of the RFID research and
advancements. Upon joining FineLine in 2012, I
implemented several strategic initiatives including
rolling out RFID integrated hang tags and labels
as a key FineLine product. We’ve dedicated R&D
resources at our production facilities to continuously
improve the RFID printing and encoding process.
Working closely with our RFID inlays partners and
customers (end users) on development and testing
is also instrumental in the success of our RFID
products. Over the years we’ve built an impressive
team comprised of professionals with extensive
RFID industry experience. With this extensive
knowledge and experience in printing
and encoding of RFID integrated tags
and labels, we have really changed
the turnaround times, and quality
of RFID labels produced for the
market place.
George Hoffman,CEO
54 Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019
What are the advantages of divisions has developed several unique
FineLine RFID? RFID enabled solutions which provide
different solutions such as:
FineLine was the first company to develop
and commercialise high speed RFID 1. RFID enabled bead labels which can
encoding capabilities in 2014. We further withstand vulcanisation and be used for
developed its own in-house patented green tyre work flow
process, QCTrak for measuring inlay 2. High durability RFID sensors for
quality both within our own facilities and insertion into tyre molds for locating,
anywhere within the customers’ supply logging maintenance and ensuring better
chain. Customers therefore have complete quality control and tracking
visibility and traceability throughout
their supply chain for any RFID tag or 3. RFID enabled tread labels which
label which FineLine produces for them. can withstand extreme high and
This unique capability is well suited for low temperatures within production
implementing RFID item tagging in complex environments and be used by logistics
supply chains such as Tyres, Aviation, to track tyres within warehouses and
Cannabis, Healthcare and others. throughout supply chains to end user
facilities.
In what areas do you serve 4. Post manufacturing RFID-enabled
global tyre industry? Please patches which can be used by fleets to
elaborate improve tyre maintenance as well as
preventing tyre theft.
FineLine, through its Data2 and Ferm RFID
Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019 55With labeling, registration
and similar regulations being
implemented do you see bigger
role for RFID in tyre industry?
Yes, I believe there is a bigger role for
RFID in the tyre industry. RFID is the
only cost effective technology today for
identifying, tracking and reporting on
tyres at the individual item level meaning
each tyre can have its own identity. The
capability to uniquely identify tyres will
enable innovative solution providers
to address challenges which have been
plaguing the tyre industry for many years
such as traceability, safety, theft and even
responsible rubber sourcing.
Tyre makers have changing
needs as new norms are
established. Does FineLine
foresee new areas of
contribution to tyre industry?
We believe RFID is the technology which
offers the best opportunity for the tyre
industry to resolve many complex issues
it faces today. Furthermore, innovative
companies whether it’s the tyre companies
themselves or third parties will find many
new solutions which hopefully the entire
industry will greatly benefit from.
How strong is your R&D
department? Please tell us how
it operates
We have RFID product development
function that works with variety of
customers in developing RFID enabled
tagging or labeling solutions to meet the
Jos Uijlenbroek, Vice President
unique needs of their supply chain. This
often involves everything from selection
of chip and antenna designs to tag/label
finished formats to encoding schemes
which address the supply chain owners
data needs. Once all this is completed we
then create a direct IT data link to the
supply chain owner’s system to allow their
vendors/suppliers to easily order RFID
enabled tags/labels from our production
hubs located around the world.
How does RFID tagging
solution enhance functionality,
efficiency and environmental
ambitions for the worldwide
tyre industry?
There are many ways which RFID is
enhancing supply chain functionality
not only in the tyre industry but many
other verticals. Some established uses
are improving manufacturing work flow,
tracking of items throughout the entire
supply chain, unique item identification to
facilitate future product recalls. Additional
56 Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019functionality and use cases are being an RFID inlay is far greater than a barcode,
developed and tested virtually on a daily which must be physically larger to store
basis. more data making it impractical for item
labeling if large amounts of data must be
Traditional barcode item identification has
encoded.
been in existence for almost 4 decades
and its use has been fully exploited. RFID What other industries does
further enhances item identification by
FineLine products serve?
providing additional functionality including
being automatically identified as product FineLine is involved in many different
moves within proximity of an RFID reader industries and offer applications for:
vs a barcode which can only be read when apparel, footwear, jewelry and accessories,
in direct line of sight to a scanner, usually home goods, patient tracking in hospitals,
requiring human operator. An RFID inlay blood collection labeling, legalised cannabis
can also store additional data written to it compliance labeling, secure ticketing
as it progresses through the supply chain for venues and events, Amazon’s new
whereas a barcode label has fixed data with Transparency brand authentication,
no ability to append or alter data within it. Telecom asset management and many
The amount of data than can be stored in more.
Tyre Asia December 2018/January 2019 57You can also read
