In an increasingly digital world, the RFID technology is getting a reliable, and efficient tool in the field of traceability, identification, and automation. In fact, its flexibility and versatility allow to use it in several sectors to simplify and automate processes, from the supply chain management to the access control.
Firstly, it is important to understand what this technology is and how it works.
The RFID Technology (Radio-Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to identify and track objects by placing an RFID tag or transponder on them. This technology works with non-contact and non-line-of-sight and allows to identify the items precisely: in the moment in which it is activated by an electronic device close to it, it transmits the electronic information collected previously to the reader. More specifically, an RFID transmits a unique identifier to a reader device when it is prompted by the radio signal of the reader.
There are two different types of RFID: active and passive, both with their own unique features. The main difference between them is represented by the height of frequencies they use to work, and the choice depends on the specific needs of the application.
In this article, we will focus on passive RFID tags because are the most common ones. They do not own their internal source of energy but depend on the capacity of the RFID reader to intercept the tag and transmit data.
After understanding what the RFID technology is, it is useful to illustrate more details about its system that is composed by the interaction of four elements:
In the field of RFID, there are different products for different applications. The most common ones, are:
Basing on the passive RFID used, there are several radiofrequencies:
LF (Low Frequency): these RFID tags have a reading range of few centimetres. The most used frequencies are at 125 Khz or 135 Khz and due to these features, they are adopted for anticounterfeiting and access control.
HF (High Frequency): these RFID tags work at 13.56 Mhz. Today, this band is considered universal due to its range of applications with a reading up to 1.20 m.
UHF (Ultra-high Frequency): these RFID tags work at a frequency of 886 MHz or 915 MHz and they have a reading range up to 15 m. For this reason, they are integrated into several fields like retail, logistic and inventory management.
NFC(Near Field Communication): these RFID tags operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and have a reading range of few centimetres. They are commonly used for applications as customers engagement.
A RFID label is made up of the following elements:
Antenna
Microchip
Substrato
The RFID Technology has a wide range of application because of its versatility, precision, and speed in providing identification and tracking of objects. Here, some examples:
The RFID technology allows to have an easier and more accurate products counting and to prevent overstocking or shortages. This means that it always manages the availability of the goods, the items inside the stores,warehouses, and supply chain (Inventory management).
This reduces dramatically the costs of manpower, the operating time, and the risk of errors. In the field of security, it allows to reduce thefts, scams, and improves the customers’ shopping experience, makes areas and events safe, allows to check the food quality to ensure its security, to meet the needs of customers and to manage waste.
In addition to the above examples, this technology is applied to the field of libraries, transport, animal identification, sport, and events. In fact, it is very likely that will provide more and new opportunities to companies to increase their business and reach a higher competitive advantage.
The RFID Technology provides several advantages in many sectors, in fact, it:
Allows to automate different processes due to the possibility to read thousands of products in few seconds and at a distance of 10-15 m.
Provides real time data, a better accuracy of the inventory and supply chain management and assets tracking.
By automating processes and reducing manual labor, it can help companies to reduce costs and improve their revenues. For example, RFID can help reduce inventory shrinkage and improve assets utilization, both of which can lead to significant cost savings.
Implements the management of supply chain and waste. The RFID recycling process stores all the data, providing additional benefits to the environment.
Engages clients during their shopping experience by providing customized suggestions, real time information about products and by using location-based marketing.
Ensures that data are protected through codes and passwords.
Non-conforming product marking or reconciliation
We integrate Videojet 1280/ VJ1580+
The unit has been fully integrated into the machine control panel what enables a wide range of benefits
For the operator:
Possibility of having a single panel where every machining parameter can be configured
For net plant productivity:
Reduction of setup time and guarantee of constant and correct functioning of the unit
Non-conforming Product Marking Functionality
The machine process automatically handles the marking of non-conforming products by integrating it within the error management process chosen for production.
Functionality of printing on the back of the material
The machine process automatically manages the printing of variable data on the back of the material (liner) for each reconciliation requirement by integrating their management within the error management process chosen for production.
Ability to integrate other third-party CIJ systems
Other third-party CIJ printing systems can be integrated upon development of the command-and-control interface.
Thermal transfer printing
We integrate Videojet Dataflex 6530
The unit has been fully integrated into the machine control panel what allows a wide range of advantages
Ability to integrate other third-party TTO systems
Other third-party TTO printing systems can be integrated upon development of the command-and-control interface.
Spark Cam™
Vision inspection system
What is SPARK CAM?
SPARK CAM™ is a high-performance vision inspection system fully designed and built by our R&D department to control print quality during production.
The system reliability is also the result of more than two decades of direct market experience with some of the most popular inspection systems including: Decosystem and Lake image.
System fully integrated into the machine control panel
The system is fully integrated into the machine control panel which enables a wide range of benefits
Single system to manage the Print Ǫuality of graphics and Variable
Single system where two control macro areas can be activated with different libraries related to specific production needs:
Print Ǫuality Inspection:
Libraries for the inspection of security elements, scratches, smears, streaks, stains, ink splashes, ghost effects, torn material, creases, color deviation, …
Thanks to our vision engineering department, it is, in addition, possible to directly develop customized control features.
Print Ǫuality inspection of Variable Data:
Libraries for OCR control (with a full range of fonts/special characters), machine readable codes also with grading features according to international standards:
With a wide range of codes and encoding protocols including: ǪRcode, Data Matrix, … and with GS1 coding standards, ….
Wide range of available templates
Due to the fact that we make our inspection systems in-house, Graphimecc can meet any production requirement.
Available are:
both black-and-white or color systems, and with a wide range of resolutions to fit every inspection specification.
Spark Jet™
Inkjet printer
What is SPARK JET?
SPARK Jet™, is an inkjet printing system completely designed and built by our R&D department to go beyond the frequent limitations of traditional printing systems.
The system reliability is also the result of more than two decades of direct market experience with some of the manufacturers of the most popular inkjet printing systems such as: Domino, Videojet, REA JET.
System fully integrated into the machine control panel
The system is fully integrated into the machine control panel which enables a wide range of advantages:
High performance and print quality
SPARK JET™ offers different print resolutions depending on the production speed. Thus, you can get a high-quality product (600x600dpi) or lose definition slightly to increase production speed.
Modular print height
Each printing module has a printing height of 54mm.
The SPARK JET printing system is fully modular and can be composed to achieve the desired print height without any limitation.
Wide range of inks that can be used
SPARK JET™ can be configured to print with different base inks:
This flexibility allows adaptation to the widest range of materials, managing every production requirement.
Single-color, multi-color system
SPARK JET™ is available in two versions:
Automatic cleaning system
To maximise the durability of SPARK JET™ print heads, we have developed an automatic cleaning system that is fully managed via the machine’s central panel. This system cleans the heads every X hours of printing (with X being a parameter that can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the print and substrate) and positions them so that they rest in a way that protects them from ink drying inside the nozzles.
Furthermore, as it is fully motorised, it allows for easy and precise adjustment of the print head’s height and transverse position relative to the material.
High-precision adjustment holder
Each SPARK JET™ system is equipped, as a basic feature, with a high-precision adjustment system that, in the absence of the automatic cleaning system, allows the adjustment of the printer position both in height (distance from the substrate) and in transverse position with respect to the material.
With this option, the head cleaning and resting activities are manual.
Spark RFID™
RFID antenna and reader
What is Spark RFID?
Spark RFID™ is a system completely designed and built by our R&D department and allows to control and encode any RFID TAG (UHF, HF, NFC, BLE and RF, …), ensuring maximum reliability and efficiency.
The system reliability is also the result of continuous collaboration with chip and Inlay manufacturers such as:
Modular system that can be configured according to individual needs
Due to its modular structure SPARK RFID can be configured in different modes to allow the best productivity according to production needs and the type of RFID to be processed.
Easy encoding, even for inexperienced operators
Thanks to our fully graphical GMG RFID Memory Map™ editor, the creation of any type of encoding finally becomes intuitive and accessible to everyone.
Ǫuick and intuitive setup, even for inexperienced operators
Setting up RFID production becomes quick and accessible to every operator; thanks to the high level of automation, our machines can be operated autonomously by any finishing operator without requiring specific knowledge of electronics or telecommunications.
System fully integrated into the machine control panel
The system is fully integrated into the machine control panel allowing a wide range of advantages
100% compliant with regulatory standards
Certified CE Marking
CE marking plays an increasingly important role in protecting operators and the enterprise.
For Graphimecc this is an indispensable value.
Advanced levels of automation
Integration with external software
The machine is natively integrable either directly or with the GM ENTERPRISE™ CMS with any ERP and enterprise database ensuring secure, real-time data exchange.
Usable by any operator
Fully graphical interface
Designed to be usable by any operator regardless of experience level.
Advanced operator login
Integration with user management via corporate Active Directory for machine access in compliance with internal security policies.
To certify the quality of production
Automatic production reports
The machine generates various production reports fully automatically and with customisable content.
Automatically eliminates all production errors
ZERO™: the technology that enables you to produce a 100% error free finished
Developed since 1999, it is now in its 5th generation and is the most advanced technology for:
ZERO™ represents the next generation of quality finishing in that it allows:
ZERO™: the technology that guarantees the highest productivity
ZERO™ enables productivity levels up to 10 times higher than other solutions available on the market.
ZERO™ enables productivity levels up to 10 times higher than other solutions available on the market.
ZERO™ allows you to choose between 21 different error management processes to meet every production need.
Detects all errors with absolute precision
Inspection of Variable data
You can manage the control of any type of variable data: OCR, Linear Barcode (1D and 2D), 2D Matrix Barcodes with different encoding types (Industrial, GS1, …).
Inspection of printing defects of the graphic products
You can manage the inspection of various printing defects typically related to the graphics part such as: scratches, smudges, streaks, spots, ink splashes, ghost effects, torn material, creases, color deviation, …
Modular control features
With our fully graphical GMG Layout EditorTM, configuration of each control feature becomes intuitive and accessible to everyone.
Ability to customize the vision system to your specific needs
Machine configuration also allows you to choose the vision system best suited to your production needs:
Our specialty since 1999
Print every type of variable data
You can manage the printing of any type of variable data: OCR, Linear Barcode (1D and 2D), 2D Matrix Barcodes with different encoding types (Industrial, GS1, …).
OCR
Linear barcodes 1D
Matrix barcodes 2D
Advanced Variable Data Printing Functionality
Thanks to our fully graphical GMG Layout Editor™, creating any type of variable data printout becomes intuitive and accessible to everyone.
Ability to manage any type of protocol and sequence
Variable data printing can be configured by choosing from a wide range of fonts and codes to which sequences of all types can be linked, being able to meet every production need.
Possibility to integrate a wide range of printing systems
The machine can be configured by integrating different printing units to best meet production needs and investment budget.
