RFID technology provides inventory visibility for wind energy service providers
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German energy technology company SSC is using passive UHF and HF tags, and GPS technology to manage tools and equipment in containers and service vehicles. In this way, the company can better manage the tools and guarantee daily return, thereby saving time spent in finding tools. The solution is provided by the tracking system provider DHL-MyIDentification, and the RFID tag attached to the tool is provided by the assembly and fastening material manufacturer Würth.
In 2014, SSC began to pilot this system. The pilot project involved 1,000 pieces of equipment and 600 tools in a container and service vehicle. This year, the company started using RFID tags on every energy project (located in 20 different locations) in Europe.
(DHL-MyIdentification attaches a DHL-MyID MasterTag passive high-frequency RFID tag to each tool, and uses an RFID reader to upload the ID number of each tag to the DHL-MyID software to bind relevant information)
For the past 14 years, SSC has been providing operation and maintenance support for European wind power plants. At present, the company has maintained 1,300 wind farms, both on land and in Shanghai.
In each project, the company will send a field team, they will use the wrench, pliers, sling and other tools stored in the field service vehicle. The team needs to concentrate on completing maintenance tasks, but is often distracted by finding tools. The cost of losing tools is huge. At the same time, the company also needs to ensure that the tools are calibrated and certified.
SSC is always looking for a cost-effective way to simplify the work of technicians, electricians and supervisors. To this end, the company has launched a project called “Next Generation Partners”, which is supported by DHL-MyIdentification to help automatically track tools and equipment.
Rene Psarski, general manager of SSC, said: “In our business, reliable equipment is the key to improving business reliability, safety and functionality. This is a highly demanding and fast-growing industry. SSC is always looking for ways to improve operations. efficient.”
Psarski said that before the company deployed the RFID system, the equipment was often lost or damaged and returned, and the company has not recorded the history of borrowing. Usually, only 25% of the tools are returned. The RFID system uses GPS location data and satellite connections so the company can monitor the location of assets. After using the RFID system, 98% of the assets will be returned, and only 1% of the returned assets are damaged.
(Gadgets are stored in a bag attached with a high-frequency RFID tag)
A DHL-MyID MasterTag is attached to each tool and other assets. Gadgets are stored in bags attached with high-frequency RFID tags, and assets such as slings are attached with HF 13.56 MHz MasterTags that are compatible with the ISO 15693 standard. By attaching high-frequency RFID technology instead of UHF technology to most assets, the company can ensure that a technician scans any given asset. Pieter de Valk, CEO of DHL-MyIdentification, explained: “We need to ensure that technicians scan specific safety or safety-related items.” According to de Valk, MasterTags are designed to be durable and can be installed on metal.
The cloud-based DHL-MyID Inside software provides a variety of functions and applications, including issuing alarms, collecting data for analysis, inspection and logistics, and providing location information of tagged items. de Valk explained that DHL-MyID has customized system functions based on customer needs. He said: “We have built a bridge to connect to existing ERP or other IT systems. The solution can also be used offline.”
First, SSC employees log in to DHL-MYID using a handheld HF RFID reader. The employee uses a reader to read the HF MasterTag built into the key and the tag of the borrowed asset. Before the shift, the employee needs to return the item and read the label again, indicating that the item has been returned. The small tools stored in the tool bag are also attached with high-frequency tags, which need to be read before lending.
By reading equipment tags, project managers can also use this technology to update inventory data before shifts every day. The software can also store the expiration time of each item and remind it before maintenance or calibration is required. The supervisor or employee can also enter information about the item, such as defects.
The GPS module of the handheld reader can collect the position read by the tool tag, and these data will be transmitted to the cloud server through the GSM network. When the GSM network is unavailable, employees can use the offline mode. After that, upload the data to the server where there is WiFi.
Psarski said that after the system was installed, the efficiency was increased by 20%-25% due to the reduction in tool search time. At the same time, labor costs have also been reduced by 25%. In addition, since there is no need to move containers frequently during inventory counting, the cost of container movement is reduced by 75%.
(Exclusive manuscript of rfid world network, please indicate the source author for reprinting!)
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