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RFID technology in the industrial and automotive sectors

Radio Frequency Identification

The adoption of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is transforming many sectors, including the industrial and automotive, that we will explore starting from the benefits of its adoption to successful application cases.

What is an RFID?

An RFID is an electronic device, based on wireless technology, that can identify a single object even without seeing it.

 

Designed to identify and manage objects via radio waves, this system allows you to:

  • Track objects
  • Manage inventories
  • Control access
  • Reduce counterfeiting
  • Create customer engagement
  • Increase sustainability in processes
Rappresentazione delle esigenze di mercato

What are the benefits for the industrial and automotive sectors?

The industrial sector, together with the automotive sector, covers a number of different areas and has different needs that RFID technology can meet, providing various benefits such as:

 

Real-time asset tracking
Inventory management, supply chain, component disposal.

 

Asset tracking in critical conditions (very high or low temperatures and adverse conditions)
Using special RFID tags, it is possible to manage traceability in harsh environments (hard tags, tags on metal…).

 

Improved maintenance management, in particular predictive maintenance
Increased process automation

 

Reduce human error and associated costs
Increased process automation

 

Guarantee of product security and authenticity
By controlling access to specific areas and ensuring product/asset authenticity.

Michelin​

Industrial sector

Michelin:
is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers and is known for its continuous commitment to innovation and product quality.

 

The problem:
tyre management and traceability, difficulties in monitoring maintenance, inventory and disposal.

 

The solution:
incorporating a UHF RFID tag into the tyre from the design stage.

 

The benefits:
full traceability throughout the supply chain, more effective communication between vehicle and user, improved inventory management and greater corporate sustainability.

Dettaglio pneumatico Michelin macchina
Dettaglio volante macchina

Audi Neckarsulm

Automotive sector

Audi Neckarsulm:
One of Audi’s main plants, located in Neckarsulm, Germany. The plant is one of the manufacturer’s historic production centres and has a long tradition in the automotive industry.

 

The challenge:
Identifying vehicles from the earliest stages of production.

 

The solution:
applying RFID tags to the back of the cars.

 

The benefits:
Verification of key information and guarantee that the Audi car purchased corresponds to the configuration chosen by the customer.

Conclusion

RFID technology brings many benefits to the industrial and automotive sectors, revolutionising the way inventory, resources, maintenance and traceability are managed. Success stories such as Michelin and Audi demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology in optimising production, improving supply chain management and ensuring product quality.
Finally, we are seeing strong growth in RFID adoption worldwide, with continued expansion into new markets and sectors, demonstrating the incredible potential of this technology.

Infine, a livello globale, si osserva una forte crescita dell’adozione dell’RFID, con un’espansione continua in nuovi mercati e settori, che testimonia l’incredibile potenziale di questa tecnologia.

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CIJ Inkjet printers

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.

TTO Printer

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

  • 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

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

  • 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

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:

  • ISO 15416 for 1D Barcode grading
  • ISO 15415 for 2D barcode grading

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:

  • Matrix cameras
  • Linear cameras
  • CIS cameras

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:

 

  • 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

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:

  • UV-based ink
  • Solvent-based ink
  • Water-based ink

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:

  • Single-color system (typically for black prints but also for other colors)
  • Multi-color system (typically for C-M-Y-K prints)

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 Mapeditor, 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

  • 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

Security

100% compliant with regulatory standards

Logo CE

Certified CE Marking

CE marking plays an increasingly important role in protecting operators and the enterprise.

For Graphimecc this is an indispensable value.

Integration with external data sources

Advanced levels of automation

Infografica integrazione software

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.

Single machine control interface

Usable by any operator

Infografica interfaccia hmi

Fully graphical interface

Designed to be usable by any operator regardless of experience level.

Infografica login avanzato

Advanced operator login

Integration with user management via corporate Active Directory for machine access in compliance with internal security policies.

Automatic reports

To certify the quality of production

Infografica report di produzione

Automatic production reports

The machine generates various production reports fully automatically and with customisable content.

ZERO process

Automatically eliminates all production errors

Infografica zero errori

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:

  1. Intercept and block any error
  2. Automate the management of each error removal
  3. Guarantee a finished product with ZERO errors

 

ZERO™ represents the next generation of quality finishing in that it allows:

  • easy use by regular finishing operators
  • to automatically handle any possible operator inattention
  • to have the guarantee of the quality of the product delivered to the final customer regardless of the site and the production shift.
  •  
Infografica maggiore produttività

ZERO™: the technology that guarantees the highest productivity

ZERO™ enables productivity levels up to 10 times higher than other solutions available on the market.

Infografica ampia gamma

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.

Print Quality Inspection

Detects all errors with absolute precision

Infografica controllo stampa

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, …).

Infografica attenzione difetti stampa

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, …

Infografica modularità

Modular control features

With our fully graphical GMG Layout EditorTM, configuration of each control feature becomes intuitive and accessible to everyone.

Infografica personalizzazione

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:

  • Matrix or linear cameras
  • Black & White or color cameras
  • Resolution

Variable Data Printing

Our specialty since 1999

Infografica stampa

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, …).

Esempio di sequenza codice OCR: AA05385746

OCR

Esempio di codice a barre

Linear barcodes 1D

Esempio di codice Qr code

Matrix barcodes 2D

Infografica funzionalità avanzata

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.

Infografica sequenze

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.

Infografica ampia gamma

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.