Component Traceability

Description

The use of RFID tags, 2D Data Matrices and Barcodes enables the progress of individual components or batches to be monitored throughout the manufacturing process.
We have integrated various identification technologies, including those mentioned above, into several of the machines we have produced. These techniques are used to identify the individual components and by storing associated information in a central location, complete traceability of the product through the entire manufacturing process is provided.

tracability

2D Data Matrix RFID tags on pallets 1D Bar Code

The logging, storage and analysis of data is a crucial part of most testing and manufacturing processes. It can provide complete component traceability, recording the individual components that have gone to make up an assembly, complete with the results from any functional tests performed along the way. Once an assembly is finished, a complete history of its makeup and test results is available for performance monitoring once it is in use.

The 2D Data Matrix

Background

A data matrix code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode. It is made up of black and white squares in a rectangular or square pattern. The size of the data matrix can vary from 8x8 to 144x144, the bigger the matrix the more information can be stored in it. It can hold up to 3116 numeric or 2335 alphanumeric characters depending on its size. The physical size of the code can be varied to suit the area of application with some codes being as small as 2 or 3 mm².
Data matrix codes include inbuilt error correction to increase their robustness. This means there is more chance they can be decoded even if they are partially damaged. The use of ECC200 error correction can enable a code that has 60% damage to still be decoded.

Marking

The codes can be directly marked onto components through various methods including laser etching and shot peening. The codes can be printed on paper or other media and then attached to the component to be tracked. This can be done using an ordinary desktop PC and printer.

RFID

Background

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is similar to bar code technology but uses radio waves to capture data from tags, rather than optically scanning the barcodes on a label. RFID does not require the tag or label to be in line of sight to read — that's one of the key characteristics of an RFID system. A further advantage of RFID over barcodes is that RFID tags may be erased and re-written if required.
In order for a system to operate, 3 main components are required:

RFID Tag
RFID Reader
Software

The information read from the tag is passed to the reader using radio waves. This information is then passed on to software that utilises it in much the same way that data from a barcode is used.
RFID Tags can be very small 0.15mm² and thinner than a sheet of paper. The reading distances vary from 10cm up to a few meters for passive tags and up to 100m for active ones.