Radio frequency identification (RFID) allows intelligent communication between tags and labels via radio waves. It's a hot technology that's having a direct impact on the packaging, labeling, logistics, consumer products and retail industries. When you think RFID, don't just think of face stock and adhesive with print included. Instead, think of bar codes with a Ph.D.
The most common RFID systems use an inlay consisting of a silicon chip bonded to a thin, flexible antenna that's integrated with a label, tag, card or ticket. This chip is a microprocessor capable of storing data and communicating to a reader, and doesn't require a direct line of sight between the chip and reader. Information may be rewritten to the chip, which can process algorithms to verify authenticity of the inquiry. Today, many manufacturing firms use RFID systems, but the technology is trickling to personal-use applications such as ExxonMobil's SpeedPass and toll-road collection tags. RFID also is used widely for access-control applications such as amusement park wristbands.
RFID is a rapidly growing segment of the automatic identification data collection industry. Annual shipment volume of RFID tags, or transponders, is expected to grow from 323 million in 2002 to 1.62 billion in 2007, according to Allied Business Intelligence, an Oyster Bay, N.Y.-based firm offering IT research.
Can independent manufacturers and distributors play in this high tech field? Without a doubt! The key is to avoid getting wrapped up with technicalities about whose chip does what and how it was made. (For those who are interested, the internet has an incredible amount of information regarding RFID technology.) Many RFID suppliers work outside of the printing industry, so it's important to check references when working with a new vendor.
To spot applications that are ideal for RFID, learn what problem the implementation would solve and find hidden bottlenecks in your customers' processes. For example, some airlines' bag handling processes are performed by "facers" who watch bags on conveyor belts. Their job is to position each bag so it "faces" the readers. Using RFID eliminates this process. Another example deals with paper inventory: If roll inventory arrived with an RFID tag embedded, readers positioned at dock doors could enter new inventory with information such as type, weight, footage, manufacturing date and location. RFID readers positioned at the press could read the roll, then rewrite the inlay with MIS information regarding what was removed, how many revolutions came off the roll and how much paper remains. Warehouse managers could count inventories automatically.
Immediately, some printing pros assume "RFID" equals "bar code data collection system." Bar codes are great tools for many applications, but RFID systems have five major advantages: One, no line of sight is required between the carrier and the reader. Two, users have the ability to rewrite information to the tag without physically seeing it, even when the product is mixed among others. Three, RFID offers virtually 100-percent readability. Four, the technology doesn't have print readability concerns. Five, users can add real-time observations to the inlay. For example, shipments of blood can be tagged with an RFID label mated to a temperature monitor. When blood arrives at its destination at the ideal temperature, a scan of the label might indicate a high temperature was reached at some point during transit, rendering it useless.
--Michael Harris, Dennis McGarry and Matt Ream
Learn More about RFID
DMIA's new white paper, "Emerging Trends & Opportunities in Print," includes a section about the basics of RFID technology and examples of ideal applications. To order the white paper, call (800) 336-4641. Also, visit Print Solutions' award-winning web site at www.printsolutionsmag.com and click on "Print Solutions Online Exclusives" for more information about RFID applications.
