RFID Steel Material Management Application

RFID Steel Material Management Application Scheme parameters.

• Construction period: 1 month
• Warranty period: 1 year
• Case City: Sichuan Province/Mianyang City

Chapter 1. System Overview

1.1 Background introduction

At present, with the structural adjustment and production capacity improvement of many iron and steel enterprises in my country. The logistics volume of iron and steel enterprises occupies an increasing proportion of the total domestic logistics. For iron and steel enterprises, the prices of upstream products such as raw materials and fuels remain high. With the increasingly fierce competition in the iron and steel industry. The establishment of a steel plant logistics information management system. Has gradually become an important issue in the development strategy of iron and steel enterprises.

Although MES, ERP and other management information systems bring great convenience to the management of enterprises. And bring obvious economic benefits to enterprises. However, due to the lack of a large amount of basic information. In the bottom production, manufacturing and management process of the reservoir area. It is difficult to provide timely feedback on the production situation and inventory situation. Therefore, the management link and the production link cannot conduct good two-way information exchange. Resulting in the phenomenon of information islands and faults. Which restricts the development of enterprise information integration.

1.2 Demand Analysis

1.2.1 Whole process material tracking

Track the basic information of the whole process. (Including material batch number, material number, weight, production number, processing purpose. Production bundle number, order number, technical requirements, and delivery status and logistics information.) For the materials used in the processing process.

1.2.2 On-site material inspection function

Inspection personnel regularly inspect materials through handheld RFID readers. Real-time understanding of on-site production, logistics and warehousing actual conditions, and real-time records. Upload the RFID intelligent production logistics management system for record keeping. There is information, location and records for all production materials.

1.2.3 Production planning command and dispatch

For the production and logistics plans that have been formulated and the production and logistics plans that have been added temporarily. The most reasonable suggestions and the most simple implementation methods are given to the field operators.

1.3 Design principles

Combined with the current technological development status and trends, we strictly follow the following principles in the system design process.

1. Economical

Make full use of mature advanced technology. Base on wireless radio frequency technology (RFID passive tag), to ensure the high cost performance of the overall system. The software meets the management needs, the interface is friendly, easy to maintain. And the whole system is easy to use and practical.

2. Reliability

The system integrates domestic advanced technology and components to the maximum extent. And adopts mature technology to reduce the unstable factors of the system. The hardware, operating system, network, and database in the system designed as detailed as possible. To deal with the faults to ensure the rapid recovery of the system. The system adopts fault-tolerant technology to improve the reliability of the system.

3. Advanced

On the premise of system reliability, advancement is also crucial. The system’s network platform, hardware platform, and system software platform technology represent the development direction of today’s computer technology. And have been proved to have strong practicability through practice. Which is in line with the development trend of today’s computer science.

Each platform of the system provides a secondary development interface. Which can ensure that various technologies can update and upgrade to maintain the advanced nature of the system.

4. Security

The system has the ability to prevent computer viruses, has strong anti-interference ability. And has passwords, diary record operation actions, etc. To avoid malicious attacks and illegal data extraction and use, and to ensure system network security.

5. Scalability

In the design and selection of system software and hardware, we fully consider its scalability. And the system structure is easy to expand to adapt to the larger task load that may appear in the future. The hardware platform is upgradeable. When necessary, new computer equipment can add to work together with the original computer equipment. To improve the processing capability of the system and ensure full utilization of the original resources.

6. Normative

Since this system is a strict and comprehensive system. We refer to various standards and specifications during the design and construction of the system. Strictly comply with various technical regulations. And do a good job in the standardized design and construction of the system. Everything starts from reality, so that the intelligent system has high practical efficiency.

7. Ease of maintenance

It adopts the industry-wide easy-to-maintain system platform. The application software has a friendly interface. And the installation, use and maintenance are simple and convenient. The business process is clear and conforms to the routine business processing habits. The system data maintenance is convenient, and the backup and data recovery are fast and simple. The system software configuration is simple and convenient, try to avoid complex system configuration files.

Chapter 2. Overall Design

2.1 Scheme Architecture

This solution adopts a hierarchical. Functional service modular system architecture to meet the linear expansion requirements of business applications and processing capabilities. The overall structure of the program is as follows:

2.2 Features of the program

2.2.1 High real-time performance

The entire system from front-end collection to central data processing is designed based on high real-time considerations. Real-time data collection, real-time upload, and real-time feedback. At the same time, it presents real-time production and logistics status for materials with normal production status or logistics status. And provides early warning for materials with abnormal production status. Or logistics status without any manual intervention and provides the correct operation basis for on-site operators.

2.2.2 RFID Radio Frequency Identification

A state-of-the-art identification method.

This system adopts the most advanced Internet of Things technology. RFID electronic tag, as the identification information carrier of steel, the advantages are as follows:

1. The RFID tag information is stored through the built-in chip, and the information is not easy to lose.
2. RFID tag information is read by wireless signal, which is convenient, fast and accurate.
3. The RFID tag information must be modified by the card issuing machine. And the authority can be set, which is not easy to be tampered with.
4. Realize high-quality information management

The system consists of industrial RFID readers, industrial sensors, on-board industrial computers and data processing servers.

There are two main functions:

1. Realize the functions of wireless rapid collection, rapid data transmission, database management and identification result processing. Which greatly improves the level of inventory information management.
2. Inventory carried out by hand-held computer to realize easy, real-time and accurate management of steel inventory.
3. Identify the RFID tag of the transferred steel by driving, record the position and time of loading and unloading. And realize the real-time dynamic management of steel transfer.

The RFID anti-metal electronic tags configured in the solution are all customized versions. And the tags contain a global unique code and a special identification defined according to needs. That is, only authorized RFID anti-metal electronic tags can be identified by the system equipment. Making the RFID intelligent production logistics management system. It has barrier and uniqueness to protect information channels.

2.2.4 Hierarchical authority management

The system manages user permissions hierarchically. And the system login permissions divides into three levels. Enterprise administrators, general enterprise administrators, and inspectors.

(1) Enterprise administrator authority. Log in to the system with system administrator authority, and have the highest authority of the system. The system data can be added, modified, deleted, etc. Can inquire about information statistics, and can be maintained for personnel data.

(2) General administrator authority of the enterprise. You can perform maintenance operations such as adding, modifying, and deleting the data of the system. And can supervise the work of the inspectors.

(3) Inspector authority: Log in to the system with inspector authority. And cannot add, modify, or delete data in the system. But can only deal with alarm information, fault information, etc. Can browse alarm records, and see Go to your own inspection tasks and conduct statistical inquiries.

Chapter 3. System Function Design

3.1 Function overview

Status quo:

1) Generally, the steel marked by chalk or paper, PVC plastic, aluminum plate and other labels. The disadvantages are as follows:

1. The logo easily deface, resulting in information loss.
2. It is necessary to identify the information with the naked eye of the personnel. Which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and is prone to errors.

3. The identification information is easily tampered with.

2) In the process of steel production. The operation scheduling of driving generally issued in the form of voice intercom and manual on-site command. Due to the harsh industrial environment such as loud noise on site. This method has obvious drawbacks and cannot guarantee timely information transmission. It is also accompanied by serious safety hazards. After the material hoisting completed. Since the hoisting results are also recorded and uploaded manually, the results cannot be returned to the management system in time. Resulting in serious lag in inventory information and affecting management efficiency.

3) There are many production processes in the workshop. And the processes involved in various types of products are different because of different customer requirements. Therefore, in the production process. Because it is necessary to manually distinguish whether a specific material can enter a specific process for production. It is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which greatly reduces production efficiency, increases operating costs, and reduces product quality.

4) The degree of informatization is not high.

At present, manual inventory is entered into the inventory system. And the disadvantages are as follows:

1. The inventory information cannot be uploaded dynamically in real time, and the information lags behind.
2. Manual inventory statistics are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and are prone to errors.
3. The existing system cannot mark the storage location of the goods. Which is not conducive to the checking and searching of the information of the inventory goods.

RFID intelligent production logistics management system aims at the common management pain points in production and logistics management. Combines the development of new technologies such as the Internet of Things and big data. Solves the shortcomings of traditional management methods, requires efficiency from technology, and combines “industry 4.0” to achieve equipment management. Intelligent, visualized and traced. At the same time, advanced mobile Internet technology is integrated to ensure the communication stability. And security of the entire solution, and the following modules are included.

Automatic identification system of steel number.

Driving positioning wireless dispatching system.

Intelligent production management system.

Mobile inventory information management system.

3.2 Introduction to the automatic identification system for steel numbers

The system adopts the most advanced radio frequency identification technology. After the RFID tag is installed on the material. The system binds the current material information and the RFID tag information. And backs up the binding relationship to the MES system. Through the reading of the RFID tag information by the handheld RFID reading device or the fixed RFID reading device. And the local software, the automatic identification of the steel number is finally realized.

3.2.1 System Architecture and Principle

By manually installing the RFID tag on the material, binding the RFID tag information and the material information of the manual conveyor. And backing up the binding relationship to the MES system. That is, the tag information read by the RFID reading device is converted into and Binding relationship. One-to-one corresponding material information. [The steel number automatic identification system does not need to talk to the MES system. But only backs up the binding relationship to the MES system.]

3.2.2 Project benefit analysis and comparison

3.3 Driving positioning wireless dispatching system;

Based on wireless data transmission and RFID positioning technology. The driving positioning wireless dispatching system accurately divides the storage stack area. Realizes the tracking of the material storage and transportation process and results, extends the enterprise information flow to the driving terminal. And greatly improves the enterprise storage area. Management accuracy and real-time.

The whole system is divided into the ground part and the driving part according to the deployment position. Including the system main control computer (including software) and wireless data transmission system. And the main control computer is linked to the MES system through the workshop network. The driving part includes the vehicle terminal (including the driving terminal software) ). And driving is designated as the data acquisition system.

3.3.1 System Architecture and Principle

The current position of the crane is determined through a customized algorithm. Through the RFID tag installed on the crane beam and the RFID reading device installed on the crane.

3.4.2 Installation instructions for some processes

Collect

Polished

Finishing

Straighten

Flaw detection

As shown in the figure, the standard antenna position in the figure is the installation position of the RFID fixed reading device. And the incoming sensor. When a material starts to be processed, the incoming material sensor senses that the material enters the feeding port of the processing process. The RFID fixed equipment starts to work, reads the RFID tag on the material being processed. And the intelligent production management system will process information. And material information to the MES system. And the MES system updates the material information in real time. There is no feeling in the entire processing process, the operator only needs to complete the processing process normally. And the data collection work is completed simultaneously when the processing process is completed.

weigh

During the packaging transfer weighing process, the RFID equipment is installed in the weighbridge area. While the weighbridge works to generate material weight data, the RFID device reads the RFID tag on the material. And the RFID production management system compares the material status information at this time with the current weighing. Data is bound to complete the weighing process. In the weighing process, there is no need to manually input material information again. And the information input and update can directly complete without feeling. and the logo can print in time.

3.4.3 On-site client interface display of production process

Current process production material information interface.

Production scheduling and planning completion interface.

Feed correction interface.

SOP, production precautions interface.

3.5 Mobile Inventory Management System

The mobile inventory information management system adopts the warehouse area handheld terminal with wireless transmission function. It based on industrial standards and can meet the needs of data collection in harsh environments. It has the characteristics of high performance, good flexibility, strong durability and humanization. The system consists of handheld terminals, servers, etc.

3.5.1 System Architecture

3.5.2 System functions

Real-time query function. Read the RFID tag on the material through the handheld terminal device, and query the material status information in real time.

Finished product warehousing function. Read the steel material information through the handheld terminal. And send the driving instruction to the tablet computer at the same time.

Reverse stack management function. Input material number, query and display material information. Input reverse stack information, mainly including target stack position.

Warehouse function. In the warehouse, you can directly query the stack position information of the material through the hand-held terminal. After finding the abnormal joy, you can directly select the record to perform the stacking operation. And finally transfer the material information to the correct stacking position. The main system can issue the inventory instruction. And multiple handheld computers can coordinate to complete the inventory of the entire warehouse or part of the warehouse area.

Finished product outbound function. Users can query the delivery information by scanning the delivery card or entering the delivery note. And then carry out the delivery operation by scanning the RFID tag of the steel material.

3.5.3 Partial function interface display.

3.6 Continue to expand services

The system is designed based on an open, flexible and service-based open architecture. Which linearly expanded according to user needs.

On the basis of the standard functions of the platform, other practical functions can be added modularly. During the platform service period, regularly update. Enrich and optimize the system to ensure that the platform application is always one step ahead of the industry.

Chapter 4. Solution Advantages

Relying on the company’s core technology of radio frequency identification. The solution aims to track production materials around the clock without dead end. And strengthen the standardized and unmanned daily management of equipment managers. Through the refined management of material logistics. The management efficiency of the enterprise can significantly improved and the operating cost of the enterprise can be reduced.

4.1 Accurate monitoring–promote the improvement of equipment management efficiency

1) Realize the tracking of production materials and real-time monitoring of production processes. Which is helpful for early detection of diseases.

2) Mining and analysis of data resources to realize early warning, early warning and judgment of equipment diseases. And provide information support for maintenance or replacement decisions.

3) Effectively supervise the equipment department through the platform, improve the standardized service of equipment livelihood. Make the superior leaders know well about the inspection and maintenance of production line facilities and equipment. Improve the integrity rate of production-related facilities. And thus improve the production efficiency of the production line.

4) Equipment management work is heavy and personnel are in short supply. Technology is used to replace equipment operation and maintenance personnel’s nanny service method. And big data used to effectively guide the supervision pressure of the equipment department. To improve management efficiency and precision.

Keyword: RFIDHY Warehousing NFC tag RFID Solutions