Flexible read-on-metal smart labels expand the possibilities and benefits of RFID tracking
This week, we released a white paper that focuses on several of the leading use cases for Xerafy’s groundbreaking Metal Skin series of read-on-metal RFID labels.
Despite stops and starts in the supply chain segment, there has been virtually uninterrupted growth in RFID adoption for asset management, process control, product authentication, work-in-process tracking, autoclave and sterilization processes, inspection and maintenance, and other operations. However, there have always been items that were traditionally either difficult, if not impossible, to tag. In particular, the presence of metal often impeded the use of RFID. Depending on the item being tagged, metal can reflect, amplify or otherwise interfere with the RF signal, which greatly reduces the performance of an RFID tag or label.
Xerafy’s Metal Skin changed the landscape, providing real solutions that removed many of the remaining barriers to using RFID labels on metal. The introduction of the Mercury Metal Skin and Titanium Metal Skin created a standard, flexible tag option for curved meal surfaces and other applications requiring a very thin, low profile tag.
Here are some of the current and planned projects that we highlighted in our white paper that are using Metal Skin smart labels:
- IT Asset Tracking
- healthcare
- Gas Cylinder and Drum Tracking
- Industrial Product Identification
- Anti-Counterfeiting
- General Asset Tracking
Introducing the Wedge
Today Xerafy launched a new product line of tags with the introduction of the Pico Wedge and Nano Wedge.
The identification of assets in industrial environments can be extremely challenging because there is a risk the attached tags may be damaged or detached in the rugged environment they inhabit. The Pico and Nano Wedge are designed to facilitate quick embedding of metal RFID tags in industrial applications.
The Wedge not only protects the chip but also enables embedded RFID in a quick, convenient and efficient way. Thanks to its innovative design, the Pico and Nano Wedge can be easily plugged into circular recesses on metallic assets without the need to mess with epoxy. Continue reading
Xerafy Helps Richardson Police Department Keep Tight Control Over Mobile Assets
Each week seems to bring another news report about a criminal impersonating a police officer. The police department in Richardson, Texas, is relying on Xerafy to make sure it won’t happen there.
The Richardson Police Department worked with Xerafy’s partner GlobeRanger to develop an RFID-based uniform tracking system. Xerafy’s read-on-metal RFID tags enabled the Richardson PD to expand the system to track the weapons, communications equipment and other assets in its patrol cars.
“RFID technology is just fabulous. We know where every asset is,” says Richardson Police Chief Jimmy Spivey. “This is going to be the way police departments manage their assets in the future.” Continue reading
Tracking Tools With RFID
Tools are vital to industrial operations. Standard tools, such as socket wrenches and hammers, are used in nearly every industry, while specialized tools are required in many industrial activities. These tools, which can be custom-made for a specific task, are often expensive, yet absolutely necessary.
Being able to locate them when they are needed is critically important. Industrial operation have long used tool cribs and sign-out/sign-in procedures for tools, however, both the efficiency and accuracy have been less than desired. RFID can substantially improve both the accuracy and effectiveness of tool tracking, reducing the costs of tool replacement, lost productivity and customer disappointment. Continue reading
The Future is Now for RFID in Healthcare
This week has seen a lot of coverage on the future of RFID in healthcare. RFID Journal profiled our partnership with Innovapaedics to help revolutionize medical implants (which we blogged about here) and, in another article announced the start of an ambitious two-year research project that will investigate the use of RFID to guide surgical robots, track instruments, manage the sterilization process and more.
While these articles look ahead to the future, for Xerafy the future is now. We are working with customers and partners to make several of the applications referenced a reality today, along with some new ones we hope to announce soon. Continue reading