NSTANT PAPERWORK TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES RECORD MAINTENANCE IN THE FIELD

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Published: 02/03/2011

In Van Technology (IVT) streamlines paperwork processes for their service fleet and provide secondary records for customers. Used in field service vans, the technology reportedly can eliminate haphazard record maintenance. It can also scan parts and allows management to supervise the location of individual vans via GPS tracking. IVT technology is said to allow fleet to be directly responsive to customers and to respond in a timely manner as the closest unit to the customer is able to be dispatched. Spare parts can be scanned while on the road with details linked directly to a back to base system, and the service fleet team are constantly aware of spare parts availability. Follow Logistics Magazine on Twitter @logistics_au

NEW TRAILER-TRACKING PRODUCT LINE FOR LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION

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Published: 23/03/2011

New mobile resource management (MRM) products feature extended-life batteries and Ssuperior GPS and cellular technologies for monitoring and tracking mobile assets

CalAmp Corp., a leading provider of wireless products, services and solutions, has introduced two new MRM products designed specifically for tracking trailers and other towable equipment. The new maintenance-free Trailer Tracking Units (TTU) can reportedly operate for years without recharging or replacing batteries to allow mobile asset owners to stay in touch with their property, wherever it may be. The TTU combine new enhanced battery power management with precision GPS satellite tracking employing ublox' SuperSense technology and superior cellular-based wireless communications for tethered or untethered trailers. Both new products employ CalAmp's pioneering PEG (Programmable Event Generator) and PULS (Programming, Update and Logistics System) which is said to enable customisation of product behavior and Over-the-Air updatability, along with built-in motion sensor and internal wireless antenna, to facilitate anywhere installation and deliver unrivaled performance. The new products are: TTU-700 - Trailer-Tracking Unit with replaceable seven-year non-rechargeable battery The TTU-700 is a fully sealed, battery-powered asset tracking and communications device, featuring a rugged enclosure, superior cellular and GPS performance, and exceptional power management functions. This non-rechargeable trailer-tracker is designed for reliable, multi-year deployments of up to seven years with one daily message or 5,000 message cycles. The extended battery life is made possible by a highly efficient power management process utilizing ultra-low sleep current. The non-rechargeable battery pack can be replaced in the field, extending daily messaging capability for up to another seven years. Featuring internal GPS and cellular antennas, the sealed and rugged IP67-rated enclosure is designed to withstand the harshest outdoor environments. The TTU-700 is an ideal solution for managing remote assets that will be deployed for long periods, without requiring maintenance. TTU-1200 - Trailer-Tracking Unit with six-month rechargeable battery The TTU-1200 features enhanced, low-power battery management, superior two-way cellular data communications and GPS positioning capability. This 12/24-volt product with a rechargeable battery pack is designed for reliable, long-term deployments. It is the ideal solution for managing trailers and towable assets that are normally tethered to 12/24-volt systems, but may sit idle for extended periods. The TTU-1200 is designed to operate for up to six months with daily messaging (500 message cycles) or 18 months without messages, before recharging is needed. The IP66-rated sealed enclosure is designed to withstand the outdoor elements. Follow Logistics Magazine on Twitter @logistics_au

FAST AUTOMATION MAKES FAST WORK OF RFID

RFID technology from Fast Automation has unseated barcode scanning technology competitors in a struggle for the valuable Baggage Handling Systems supply contract at Sydney Airport.

"To understand the real benefit of switching to RFID for Sydney Airport, we need to first understand the barcode method as it applies to baggage handling," says David Askew, director of Fast Automation. When a traveller checks in luggage at the airport, a baggage tag with a barcode is appended. Typically an array of 10 or 12 Barcode scanners or 'Heads' are positioned at key locations to monitor the luggage. These are referred to as ATRs (Automatic Tag Readers). "This large quantity of expensive, high tech laser heads ensures a line of site fix on the barcode," Askew explains. "The heads are usually controlled by a multiplexor, which takes what all the Heads read using multiple communication channels and passes the information to a higher level controller." The Multiplexor is a critical point of failure and therefore is invariably implemented with a second expensive multiplexor for redundancy. As a bag travels along a conveyor its baggage tag code is picked up by the ATRs. It is then tracked in PLC memory via PPIs (Pulse Position Indicators), which inform the controller that an amount of belt movement has occurred. Typically there is a PE (Photo Electric) sensor on each conveyor for verification of movement. The verification sensor compensates for the imperfections in transport, such as the movement backwards or forwards of a bag. Using these sensors and the ATRs in key locations, the bags are tracked through the system with up to 99% accuracy. Issues still occur with multiple tags, tag priorities, aligning explosive scanning results with bags an so on. d "Now imagine how the RFID implementation works," Askew says. "Yes, you can just scrap the PPI sensors, the PE sensors, the $100K plus ATR barcode scanning arrays, all the tracking logic, all the PLC distributed I/O and put a RFID tag on the bag with readers at decision points. "Additionally, the RFID tag can be updated with extra data, such as explosive scan results instead of trying to align information on the computer with each specific bag. "Using RFID allows a drastic reduction in communications, and processing. This one example of a traditional barcode application switching over to RFID, is a clear indication that RFID has big advantages and massive cost savings across the board." According to David Askew, another of Fast Automation's clients, a hot water heating giant, has really discovered the benefit of RFID. "The customer went through the exercise of considering what would happen if its products had RFID tags on board while being assembled," he says. "For example, the tag could alert robotic stations as to what type of product is being assembled and they will automatically adjust themselves to suit.

"Testing stations need to know what heating element is installed, in order to conduct the correct test. The system can scan the tag, which provides automatic information about the product's electrical test parameters from the database. "The system can also download all this information to the electrical tester, execute the test and load the results back on to the Tag! The product can then be routed directly to the appropriate repair bay automatically if necessary." Askew says the client was so impressed it decided to put RFID tags on components to be fitted for instant quality checking. "The solution even has RFID tags embedded into the floor of the warehouse," Askew adds. "Scanners on forklifts change speed and pick goods from a mobile touch screen with an integrated guiding map. Inventories are instantly updated. "The RFID Tag is also used to instruct the end of line printer what to print, including various test results. Not only does it dispense with all the tracking required, but it transforms the entire operation to another level of efficiency and productivity. In addition, iconic theme park Luna Park in Sydney, has committed to RFID. "Luna Park implemented a bar-coded wrist band system, which was a big step forward in its day, and drastically improved operations," Askew says. "However, inefficiencies in the system were immediately apparent." "The barcode system could be easily copied, it required the holder to orient and position the wrist band correctly to the scanner and the barcode could be defaced." Fast Automations solution did not require the costly re-engineering of the whole system, but simply implemented the RFID units to masquerade seamlessly as the previous barcode units. "Put simply, Luna Park was seriously considering a costly replacement of the entire system but with Fast Automation's solution, only the scanners required replacing. With our low cost interfacing boards, swapping barcode scanners with RFID units is simple. We can get the RFID units to communicate in exactly the same way, so its a fast, low cost and low risk changeover." An enthusiastic proponant of RFID overall, David Askew believes the best is yet to come. "Consider the labour and time involved in a typical supermarket; we put the goods in the trolley, put them on the checkout, scan them all one by one, put them back in the tolley etc. "With RFID taking hold in conjunction with credit card transactions, you can just walk straight out the store, yes straight out... "The key factor in the benefit analysis is the RFID tag type and cost. The technology is rapidly evolving to meet the ever changing applications. For instance there are UHF tags which are long range, High temperature tags, low range tags, printable tags etc all at ever reducing prices." "Fast Automation went through a feasibility study which analysed the cost benefits of fitting a long range long life RFID tag to every vehicle in Australia. Theoretically, with small entries on a large distributed database, we could track every car, on every road, with a long history. "Apart from the obvious supply chain benefits for vehicle importers, another benefit, more difficult to value would be the crime fighting ability," Askew says.

"Imagine a child is abducted and an instant list of every car that was in the vicinity is immediately presented, then further data mining could quickly resolve owner or car type profiles. "Vehicle theft itself could be eradicated, check stations will immediately photograph invalid vehicles and report the position to mobile police units in real time. "Any insurance, registrations, traffic offences issues could be instantly resolved. Mobile Police units could be augmented with some very powerful but small applications that in real time 3D give a succinct synopsis of issues ahead. "Although possibly unpopular, the instant ability to audit an individuals car travel (and speed) could be invaluable, and labour saving. "There might also be many side benefits. For example when RFID is on cars, we wont have to queue to park any more, no more tickets no more waiting, instant charging. "The automotive industry generally could totally re-orientate itself with an on board or offline keyed to vehicle history. "The administration and general automation savings are phenomenal, and it would create a real mini industry stimulus." Fast Automation was recently contacted by an RFID group to assist it in offering a tracking system for itstrucks. Amazingly, 10 or more trucks a year just go missing! This system whilst not directly an RFID application utilised a mobile phone GPS system to log and report positions both to a central database and onto the local RFID chip. "The chip could then be utilised to manage maintenance activities, audit only valid drop off locations were visited." Fast Automation was recently awarded OMRONs preferred RFID integrators title. Please contact David Askew on 0418 239 340 david@fast-automation.com for any RFID enquiries or visit www.fast-automation.com for further information.