Copyright © Rajit Gadh 1 Manufacturing Processes by Rajit Gadh

Copyright © Rajit Gadh Traditional tracking in manufacturing processes Processes used today Automotive Aerospace Common methods – human readable / optical –Bar coded approach –Metal /Plastic I.D. –Embedded/engraved numbers 2

Copyright © Rajit Gadh Problems with today’s tracking techniques Lack of automation Manual errors – for human readable Line of site requirement - Optical Total cost is far greater due to human labor cost More time to read numbers 3

Copyright © Rajit Gadh With RFID – what are the applications? Inventory management – automation Storing and retrieving product feature status for complex products on the product itself Process status /check on a product Entire supply chain 4

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 5 Manufacturing - Inventory Typical inventory questions –What is the inventory level in storage? –Where is it in the manufacturing floor/warehouse? –Locating an individual inventory item –Is dynamic inventory scheduling possible based on dynamic customer demand? Technology considerations –Tag range –Interference with other material –How much data is enough?

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 6 Manufacturing - Inventory RFID tags maintain current item information on the tag Useful for managing production of complex or customized products and assemblies Eliminate the need for separate paperwork on assembly status and content R/W requires larger memory tags, e.g., aerospace

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 7 Manufacturing – Product/process status Process completion –Central product database can be notified when each process has been completed Determine product features –Field personnel would use if no user manual –Date of manufacture, revision levels, etc. Real-time tracking –Inventory, part kits and sub-assemblies

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 8 Manufacturing - Benefits Benefits –Optimize manufacturing, reduce inventory –Find where parts are sitting/waiting –Get status of part/assembly –Get a finer visibility on what’s happening to in-process inventory (big problem – don’t know exactly where the inventory is when it is in the manufacturing plant) –Workflow monitoring –Process Planning –Automated Inspection

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 9 Manufacturing - Challenges Challenges in Manufacturing –Where do you put the tag? –How do you install it? –Does it replace the Part ID? –How does it behave in the presence of metal in a factory? –Passive/active depends on function

Copyright © Rajit Gadh Manufacturing industries impacted Any discrete part - component / assembly industry, E.g. –Automotive –Aerospace –Shipbuilding 10

Copyright © Rajit Gadh 11 Manufacturing Processes - Conclude Rajit Gadh