RFID solutions for tracking in industrial environments: easy to use, durable, and designed for harsh conditions

A good example is  tracking products for asset management, where RFID systems simplify the identification and management of valuable tools or equipment substantially. For this, the product to be labelled just needs to be fitted with one of HellermannTyton RFID tags that has been programmed with a unique code. You can either link the pre-programmed code with a database or add specific code requirements according to your database needs.

The fact that each component is traceable also benefits goods receipt. Costs become more transparent and processes along the value stream can be optimised. Product counterfeits are easier to identify. 

Take an offshore wind farm as another example for RFID tracking.  Engineers need to take commonly used valuable equipment with them on site to fulfill repair or maintenance tasks. In order to manage the inventory and/or identify the location of the equipment it can be fitted with an RFID transponder. The programmed information can be linked to a database that serves as an information and management tool for an easy way of tracking the tools.

With the help of NFC technology (near-field communication), the engineer can communicate with the RFID tag by using an app on their tablet PCs. This way it is e.g. possible to check out the equipment prior to the use and check it back in after finishing the job. The main benefit of such a system is the continuous control that both users and administrators have over these assets.

When conditions in the production facility are extreme - such as heat, dirt and liquids - RFID cable ties made of durable materials are the ideal solution.

Take, for example, a hydraulic service that repairs hoses under these harsh conditions. A combination of hydraulic oil, screw solution and dirt would often obscure conventional product labels until they became unreadable. This created significant challenges for the service staff, who could no longer identify the type of hose they were working with. What is the hose's maximum pressure load? When was it manufactured and installed? Who worked on it last?

The solution for the service company was to use HellermannTyton RFID cable ties made of metal, which are not affected by oil or heat.

There are numerous other fields of application for RFID tracking, like crane construction. One example: Previous product labels were difficult to access and were no longer readable because several layers of paint were applied at the customer’s request. Now using HellermannTyton RFID hard tags for identification the information remains permanently readable as the chip is housed in and can withstand harsh environments or layers of paint.

Processes are also simplified and optimised in the case of traceability of components. For example, in the case of defects, recalls or the monitoring of maintenance intervals. Or for product labelling in general, such as when installing elements in automobiles.

Here, any type of RFID cable tag also acts as a security measure which is more reliable and involves less effort than conventional labelling solutions. 

The authenticity of the information on the RFID transponder is therefore guaranteed. This means, for example, you can very accurately trace which employee installed which component with which properties in which factory on which day.

RFID cable ties provide an innovative solution for clear and fast product tracking using RFID tracking technology. They are available in a range of materials: 

• Plastic RFID cable ties – T50RFID: Available in LF, HF, and UHF, these ties combine the numerous advantages of standard cable ties with RFID technology 
• Metal-detectable RFID cable ties – MCTRFID: Available in LF and HF, these ties are specifically designed for the food processing, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries to assist with quality control 
• Stainless steel RFID cable ties – MBTRFID: Available in HF and UHF, these ties are ideal for harsh environments where high tensile strength and durability are required 
• RFID Security Seals – HS30LM: Designed with UHF technology to simultaneously identify, bundle, and secure components without the need for screws or adhesives.

Our RFID hard tags are equipped with HF and UHF RFID chips and can be securely attached using bolts, screws, adhesive, or welding, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Our portfolio includes three main ranges: 

• FlexLine: Versatile and flexible hard tags made from soft materials. This range also includes markers that provide additional visual identification, as they can be printed with barcodes, QR codes, text, and more 
• HardLine: Hard tags made from impact-resistant materials, offering robust, long-term reliability 
• ToughLine: Hard tags made from highly durable, resilient materials designed for maximum toughness

Our RFID labels are made from tough, durable, and long-lasting materials, featuring a permanent adhesive for secure, lasting attachment. They also include an insulating layer to ensure proper RFID functionality on metallic surfaces, providing faster, safer, and more reliable data capture. Our range of RFID labels is available in both HF and UHF versions.

HellermannTyton offers a wide range of RFID tag readers, including handheld, desktop, and stationary options for both HF and UHF applications. In partnerships with leading manufacturers, we provide complete system solutions or integration into larger projects. For customized solutions, our Auto-ID team is available to consult and connect you with the right partners.

Our PT4000 RFID printers are high-quality, mid-range 300 dpi thermal transfer printers with an integrated UHF RFID system. They can print and encode UHF RFID labels or similar media in a single process, making them ideal for a wide range of identification tasks in industrial environments. The printer is capable of handling a daily output of up to 5,000 labels.