Nedap AVI

Automated order processing at cement factory

A concrete RFID solution

The Italian cement factory Merone is based in Brianza centre. The factory has been utilising automation systems for access control and the loading of goods since the, the first long range identification systems that were available on the market at the beginning of the 1980’s. On updating their installation, Managers of the organisation decided to facilitate automatic vehicle identification using Nedap’s dual band systems, including the Compact Tag transponder, as this technology best suited the different phases of the cement loading process.

A Compact Tag for transactions

There are 8 loading lanes with weighing platforms inside the Merone factory that are separated according to different types of cement. At the start of the procedure the driver books the required quantity. When the truck has been brought into position for loading the tag must then be placed on the Nedap proximity reader before action to commence. During the loading procedure the tag must be continuously be detected by the reader otherwise it will come to a halt. When the transaction is finished the system receives the tag identification code along with the loading name number and product type and transfers the information by data network to the server.
Should it be necessary to interrupt loading on one lane and start again on another, the system recognizes the vehicle through the tag and loading the same product type can resume from where it left off. If the same vehicle has a cargo of varying products, then authorisation for loading one product will occur only after the transaction regarding the previous product is completed, including the printing of the transport documents. When a vehicle exits the weighing area, the system automatically identifies the vehicle and the weight of the loaded product, and automatically prints the transport documents and/or invoice.

‘Self service’ cement shopping

A booking area has been created for loading loose cement bags where the driver enters the type, quantity and amount of cement to load and the number of pallets that have been returned.
The self-service booking can only be confirmed by placing the Compact tag on the proximity reader connected to the PC updating the system with the vehicle data. The system will now show to the personnel in charge of loading, on the appropriate display, what material is to be transported and the data required for the procedure. Once again, the transaction stops when the tag is removed from the reader. The vehicle then exits the weighing area and the system automatically identifies the vehicle and the weight of the loaded product and prints the transport documents and/or invoice.

Automatic transaction management

The Compact Tag is the main link that tracks all the transactions of goods at the Merone cement factory. The tag automatically identifies each transport vehicle and tracks all loading activities through the reading station, providing a hands-free work management scenario without the need for driver intervention. The highest flexibility in order management can also be achieved using this technology. The Compact Tag features small dimensions and the mechanical robustness necessary to be reliable in harsh environments.

Nedap long and short range identification

The RFID based solution implemented in the Merone factory is called the NEDAP TRANSIT® system. It is a long-range automatic vehicle identification (AVI) system, based on proven Nedap microwave technology in the 2.45 GHz band. The system allows identification of tags at a distance up to 10 metres, even at high speeding passage. By means of the Compact Tag both long-range technology microwave technology and short-range inductive coupling technology can be mixed to offer the possibility to achieve generic solutions in cases where apparently separate parts on an application can be merged together and covered with one dedicated system and one transponder.

Advantages

• High level of comfort and convenience for users
• Secure, reliable and convenient identification
• Automatic vehicle identification and registration
• Dual band technology (combination of short and long-range identification)