Using RFID, products and transit casing can be rapidly identified in a reliable, error-free manner, even under adverse environmental conditions. At the heart of the system is the “transponder”: a tiny computer chip equipped with an antenna. This chip stores a globally-unique serial number: the EPC (Electronic Product Code). In theory, applications are also possible that store a greater amount of data, such as individual article or serial numbers, use-by dates or lot numbers, for example.
The process of reading the data does not require line-of-sight contact between reader and storage unit, and multiple storage units can be read in one sweep. Label printers and label applicators that process RFID labels are fitted with a read/write unit that accesses the transponder. Over this interface, data is transferred from computer to label printer and is then simultaneously printed to the label and programmed into the transponder.
Contactless product identification makes applications possible that contribute to considerable savings in production and logistic costs. Various RFID solution models are available to suit the various application scenarios.