Towards industrial internet of things: crankshaft monitoring, traceability and tracking using RFID

The large number of requirements and opportunities for automatic identification in manufacturing domains such as automotive and electronics has accelerated the demand for item-level tracking using radio-frequency identification technology. End-users are interested in implementing automatic identification systems, which are capable of ensuring full component process history, traceability and tracking preventing costly downtime to rectify processing defects and product recalls. The research outlined in this paper investigates the feasibility of implementing an RFID system for the manufacturing and assembly of crankshafts. The proposed solution involves the attachment of bolts with embedded RFID functionality by fitting a reader antenna reader to an overhead gantry that spans the production line and reads and writes production data to the tags. The manufacturing, assembly and service data captured through RFID tags and stored on a local server, could further be integrated with higher-level business applications facilitating seamless integration within the factory

Library inventory using a RFID wand: contribution of tag and book specific factors on the read rate

Purpose Low read rates are a general problem in library inventories. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to the success of library inventory by means of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) inventory taker. The factors investigated were tag position, tag orientation, book thickness, tag density (related to thickness of a sequence of books) and position on the shelf. Design/methodology/approach A total of 210 books were placed in eight random permutations on three fixed book shelves. For each configuration, the RFID tags were read forty times. The resulting data were analysed by means of a generalized linear model, relating the combined contribution of tag position, tag orientation, book thickness and position on the bookshelf to the read rate. Findings The tags positioned directly next to the spine were always read, but those near the opening of the book (far from the spine and inventory reader) were not always read. Considering only books with tags near the opening, tag orientation and position on the shelf appeared not to be related to the read rate, while book thickness, thickness over three books and spine tag density appeared to have a small positive contribution to the read rate. Practical implications Low read rates during a library inventory can be prevented by placing the tags near the book spine – the other book specific factors (listed in the previous paragraph) are of little influence. When not scanned during a first sweep, repeated scanning can increase the read rate with 0.15. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to analyse the influence of tag location and book specific factors on the read rate of RFID tags in library books. The experimental approach sets an example for future work

Magnetic Flux Leakage techniques for detecting corrosion of pipes

Oil and gas pipelines are subjected to corrosion due to harsh environmental conditions as in refinery and thermal power plants. Interesting problems such as internal and external corrosion, emerging from the increasing demand for pipeline protection have prompted this study. Thus, early detection of faults in pipes is essential to avoid disastrous outcomes. The research work presented in this thesis comprises investigations into the use of magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing for pipe in extreme (underwater and high temperature) conditions. The design of a coil sensor (ferrite core with coil) with a magnetic circuit is carried out for high temperature conditions. The sensor thus developed lays the ground for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of flaws in pipes through the MFL technique. The research focusses on the detection and characterization of MFL distribution caused by the loss of metal in ferromagnetic steel pipes. Experimental verifications are initially conducted with deeply rusted pipe samples of varying thicknesses in air. AlNiCo magnets are used along with Giant Magneto Resistance (GMR) sensor (AA002-02). The experiment is further repeated for saltwater conditions in relation to varying electrical conductivity with radio frequency identification (RFID) technique. A further study carried out in the research is the correlation between magnetic and underwater data communication. The study has resulted in the development and experimental evaluation of a coil sensor with its magnetic response at room and high temperatures. This makes the system effective under high temperature conditions where corrosion metal loss needs to be determined

Magnetic Flux Leakage techniques for detecting corrosion of pipes

Oil and gas pipelines are subjected to corrosion due to harsh environmental conditions as in refinery and thermal power plants. Interesting problems such as internal and external corrosion, emerging from the increasing demand for pipeline protection have prompted this study. Thus, early detection of faults in pipes is essential to avoid disastrous outcomes. The research work presented in this thesis comprises investigations into the use of magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing for pipe in extreme (underwater and high temperature) conditions. The design of a coil sensor (ferrite core with coil) with a magnetic circuit is carried out for high temperature conditions. The sensor thus developed lays the ground for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of flaws in pipes through the MFL technique. The research focusses on the detection and characterization of MFL distribution caused by the loss of metal in ferromagnetic steel pipes. Experimental verifications are initially conducted with deeply rusted pipe samples of varying thicknesses in air. AlNiCo magnets are used along with Giant Magneto Resistance (GMR) sensor (AA002-02). The experiment is further repeated for saltwater conditions in relation to varying electrical conductivity with radio frequency identification (RFID) technique. A further study carried out in the research is the correlation between magnetic and underwater data communication. The study has resulted in the development and experimental evaluation of a coil sensor with its magnetic response at room and high temperatures. This makes the system effective under high temperature conditions where corrosion metal loss needs to be determined

Performance Analysis of a Compact UHF RFID Ceramic Tag in High-Temperature Environments

In this paper an experimental analysis of the effect of high temperature on the performance of a compact UHF RFID tag is described and discussed. The tag is designed to be integrated into small cavities carved out of metal objects to identify themselves during the entire fabrication and assembly line. Since the UHF RFID tag is applied just after the die casting operations needed to model the metal component, it must be robust to high temperature manufacturing environments and processes. Tests demonstrated a significant chip input impedance variation by increasing the surrounding temperature, with a consequent read-range reduction. However, the considered ceramic tag can be detected at a satisfactory distance of 30 cm when employed with temperatures so high as up to 120 degrees C

Performance Analysis of Passive UHF RFID Systems under Cascaded Fading Channels and Interference Effects

In this paper, the performance of monostatic and bistatic passive ultrahigh-frequency radio-frequency identification (UHF RFID) systems under the effects of cascaded fading channels and interference is studied. The performance metric used is tag detection probability defined as probability that the instantaneous received power is higher than the receiver’s sensitivity. A closed-form expression of the detection probability is derived using cascaded forward and backscatter fading channels and reader antennas orientation. Furthermore, the performance of passive RFID systems under reader-to-tag interference caused by both the desired RFID signal and multiple RFID interferers is analyzed, and the effect of constructive and destructive interferences is examined. In addition, the maximum reading range in ideal, multipath fading and interfering environments is presented. The obtained results are very useful for the design and optimization of passive RFID systems from RF point of view.This work was made possible by NPRP grant NPRP4-726-2-272 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available from IEEE at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?reload=true&arnumber=6942226

Next Generation Auto-Identification and Traceability Technologies for Industry 5.0: A Methodology and Practical Use Case for the Shipbuilding Industry

[Abstract] Industry 5.0 follows the steps of the Industry 4.0 paradigm and seeks for revolutionizing the way industries operate. In fact, Industry 5.0 focuses on research and innovation to support industrial production sustainability and place the well-being of industrial workers at the center of the production process. Thus, Industry 5.0 relies on three pillars: it is human-centric, it encourages sustainability and it is aimed at developing resilience against disruptions. Such core aspects cannot be fully achieved without a transparent end-to-end human-centered traceability throughout the value chain. As a consequence, Auto-Identification (Auto-ID) technologies play a key role, since they are able to provide automated item recognition, positioning and tracking without human intervention or in cooperation with industrial operators. Although the most popular Auto-ID technologies provide a certain degree of security and productivity, there are still open challenges for future Industry 5.0 factories. This article analyzes and evaluates the Auto-ID landscape and delivers a holistic perspective and understanding of the most popular and the latest technologies, looking for solutions that cope with harsh, diverse and complex industrial scenarios. In addition, it describes a methodology for selecting Auto-ID technologies for Industry 5.0 factories. Such a methodology is applied to a specific use case of the shipbuilding industry that requires identifying the main components of a ship during its construction and repair. To validate the outcomes of the methodology, a practical evaluation of passive and active UHF RFID tags was performed in an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) under construction, showing that a careful selection and evaluation of the tags enables product identification and tracking even in areas with a very high density of metallic objects. As a result, this article serves as a useful guide for industrial stakeholders, including future developers and managers that seek for deploying identification and traceability technologies in Industry 5.0 scenarios.This work was supported in part by the Auto-Identication for Intelligent Products Research Line of the Navantia-Universidade da Coruña Joint Research Unit under Grant IN853B-2018/02, and in part by the Centro de Investigación de Galicia ``CITIC,'' funded by Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund-Galicia 2014_2020 Program) under Grant ED431G 2019/01Xunta de Galicia; IN853B-2018/02Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

Automated Attendance System using Active RFID

The main focus ofthis project is to enhance the integrity and the authenticity ofdata, whereby, conventional system couldn't ensure the safety of the data. As the result, many employees neglect the importance of attitude in working environment. This project offers a safety towards the data, and in the same time helping in monitoring the movement of employees. Given a number of time, this project will undergo several phases which are planning, analysis, design and implementation. Lastly, the success ofthis project will be determined, and a conclusion should be made based on the result obtained, whether the objective has been met or not