UHF RFID in Food Distribution Center
With the construction of a distribution center for COOP in Norway, Turck and Witron demonstrate that UHF-RFID can also be used for short distances
The new distribution center of the COOP grocery retailer in Norway – planned and implemented by intralogistics specialists Witron – is one of the most modern distribution centers in Scandinavia. The sheer size of the warehouse and the complexity of the identification technology used are the benchmark in the sector.
To better manage the operation, Witron implemented a combined barcode-RFID identification system using Turck’s UHF-RFID technology. With the concentrated know-how of both companies, even the crosstalk that occurs when several neighboring UHF antennas are in operation could be prevented. As an additional benefit to the customer, COOP can still make use of the UHF tags that the company has already integrated.
The distribution process
The new distribution center of the grocery retailer COOP Norge Handel AS near Oslo, is the size of approximately seven soccer pitches. Goods arrive at the goods-in bays of the “COOP-Logistikksenter” on pallets. The pallets are unloaded here and temporarily stored in the pallet store. The unmixed pallets are then depalletized fully or semi-automatically and transferred to trays or containers. Besides the trays and containers, the Norwegians use two different types of pallets in the distribution center: Plastic pallets fitted with UHF tags, and wooden pallets that are provided in the distribution center with a combined barcode-UHF label. The barcode is used to identify the carrier as a wooden pallet. The trays and containers are likewise identified by their barcode.
Combined barcode-RFID identification
One requirement of COOP was for particularly thorough testing. The customer wanted to use the UHF tag already integrated by the manufacturer in the plastic pallets for the identification. This saves the installation of labeling systems that would otherwise have to provide all pallets with barcodes.
During the planning phase the specialists at Witron closely examined the possibility of implementing UHF identification. The system required a UHF read/write head at each incoming goods area as well as each crossing point in the pallet conveying system – 250 in all.
RS485 interface and controllable antenna required
Besides the need for the RS485 interface, another requirement eliminated the possibility of using a large number of different UHF read/write heads for the application: “The controllability of the antenna was a very important selection criterion for us because we had to implement a great deal of near field communication in the plant. Apart from a few other suppliers, this feature was primarily offered by Turck,” explained Christian Fuhrmann, who is responsible for the control technology development.
RSSI filter prevents crosstalk
During Tests Witron found out that crosstalk occurs if an antenna energizes a tag that it is not at all meant to read. This tag can then also be energized by a read/write head in close proximity and thus achieves a range that exceeds its actual maximum range. This means that read/write heads receive data from very distant tags which their antenna output power should not allow them to see. “In this case we were able to prevent this by setting different parameters on the read/write head. RSSI filters can be used or you can restrict the number of read operations that the read/write head performs,” Fuhrmann explains. The RSSI value specifies the strength of a signal. It is used to estimate the distance of a target. By setting filters, objects at a particular distance can be excluded from read operations.
Further Information
- Automobile
- Press Shop – Tool Identification
- Sheet Metal Thickness Measurement
- Body Shop – Welding Nut Detection
- Paint Shop – Skid Identification
- Area Guarding for Robotic Cells
- Final Assembly – Robot Assembly
- Inspection of Tips on a Welder
- Final Assembly – Diagnosis of Leaks
- Tier 1 – Bumper Identification
- Manual Feeding in Weld Cell
- Powertrain – Contactless Verification
- Body Detection in Automobile Production
- Detecting Black Parts on Black Door Panel
- Moonroof Clear Glass Detection
- Long-Range Inspection in Automotive Assembly
- Rubber Washer Detection on Engine Block
- Engine Block Part-In-Place Detection
- Electric Vehicle Detection in Charging Station
- Vehicle Detection in a Self-Serve Car Wash
- SUCCESS STORIES
- RFID Guides AGV in Suspension Production
- IO-Link Wired Silencer Production
- Workpiece Carrier Identification in Rear Vent Production
- Weld Nut Sensing
- RFID Traceability
- RFID in Engine Production
- Bumper Production with Identification
- Solutions for Paint Shops
- Welding and Assembly Sensors
- Angle Sensors for Assembly Systems
- Tool Identification
- RFID Identification of Injector Nozzles
- RFID in the Body Shop
- IO-Link Eases Differential Gear Production
- Pick-to-Light for Bumper Assembly
- RFID and I/O Modules for Safe Tool Changes
- Ply Orientation Inspection
- Chimie
- Detection of Pigs
- Remote Signal I/O
- Easy Connection of Field Devices
- Remote Tank Level Monitoring with DX70
- Signal Processing with System I/O in the Control Cabinet
- Signal Separation with Interface Technology in the Control Cabinet
- Identification of Hose Connections
- Efficient Monitoring of Cabinets in the Field
- Monitoring of Quarter Turn Actuators
- Planning and Assembly of System Solutions
- Success Stories
- I/O System Excom Creates Space in the I&C Rooms
- Zone 2 and 22 RFID
- Efficient Testing Control
- Intrinsically Safe Field Communication
- Process Control System Partnership
- Hazardous Area Remote I/O
- Dual Valve Position Feedback
- Flexibility with Fieldbus
- Asset Management with Remote I/O
- Correct Positioning with RFID in Carbide Production
- Energie
- Agro-alimentaire
- Dough Height Inspection for Accurate Measurement
- Dough Thickness Control in Rolling Machines
- Leading Edge Detection of Plastic Container
- Identification of Food Containers
- Date/Lot Code Verification
- Container Check
- Detection of Valve Position
- Barcode Reading on Depalletizer Station
- Reliable Cap Orientation Verification in Aseptic Areas
- Detection of Pipe Elbows
- Clear and Tipped Bottle Detection on Depalletizer
- Clear Plastic Bottle Detection
- Identification of Chocolate Moulds
- Frozen Food Packaging Label Inspection
- In-Line Bottle Accumulation on Single Filer
- Detecting Refrigerated Breakfast Rolls on a Multi-Lane Conveyor
- Success Stories
- Track and Trace in Meat Production with RFID
- Contact-free Encoder in Potato Production
- UHF RFID in Food Distribution Center
- RFID for Chocolate production
- Distributed I/O for Food Equipment
- Remote I/O for Distilleries
- RFID and Autoclaves
- IP67 Power Supplies for Conveyors
- Transparency in Chocolate Manufacturing
- Identification in Food Product Storage
- Equipement Mobile
- Distribution Lines for Field Sprayers
- Loading Dock Occupancy Monitoring
- Measuring the Ground Clearance on a Field Sprayer
- Monitoring Railcars Wheels Wirelessly
- Reach Stacker Status With Bright Lighting Indicators
- Angle Measurement on a Field Sprayer
- Determining the Boom Angle Position
- Material Flow Monitoring on a Combine Harvester
- Vehicle at Loading Dock
- Equipment Compartment Illumination on Fire Engines
- Wireless Forklift Signaling
- Two-Axis Tilt Measurement on a Combine Harvester
- Success Stories
- Position Measurement with RFID and Encoder
- Speed Control via Radar Sensor QT50
- RFID Guides AGV in Suspension Production
- Block I/O Modules on Super Yacht
- Wear-free Encoder on Hopper Dredger
- I/O for Dust Suppression
- Cabinet Cooling
- Quick Disconnect Connectivity
- Automation Solutions for Extreme Cold
- Remote I/O for Cranes
- Rugged Heavy Metal Lifting
- Rollercoaster Positioning
- Mobile Machinery Solutions
- Exact Height Positioning
- Critical Angle Sensing
- Angle Sensor Detects Platform Lift
- Predictive Maintenance of Machine Parts at Port-Based Coal Conveying Facility
- Pétrole et Gaz
- Emballage
- Identification of Printing Color Cartridges
- Reliable Operation of Machines
- Monitoring of Caps in Filling Lines
- Monitoring Changeover Processes
- Identification of Test Bottles
- Level Monitoring of Ground Coffee
- Box Insert Detection
- Carton Dimensioning
- Clear Container Detection
- Correct Label Verification
- Detecting Different Size Packages on a Conveyor
- High-Speed 2D Barcode Inspection
- Multicolored Reflective Package Detection
- Plastic Roll Diameter Measurement
- Tube Positioning Using a Registration Mark
- Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine Solutions
- Success Stories
- Pharma
- Monitoring of Quarter Turn Actuators
- Detection of Pipe Elbows
- High-Speed Tablet Counting With Fiber Amplifier
- Remote Signal I/O
- Planning and Construction of Super Skids
- I.V. Bag Liquid Detection
- Easy Connection of Field Devices
- Identification of Portable Tanks
- Identification of Cryovessels
- Identification of Mobile Containers
- Liquid Level Monitoring In A Large Tank
- Identification of Mobile Containers with Handheld Devices
- Identification of Hose Connections for Precursors
- Identification of Hose Connections in Sterile Areas
- Identification of Hose Connections in Ex Zone 1
- Identification of Big Bags and Bioreactors
- Identification of Single-Use Applications
- Semi-conducteur