With RFID tags, no visual contact of the tag is needed, so they provide far better functionality than bar code technology, says SICK.
As technology improves, radio frequency identification (RFID) is increasingly being used for tracing foodstuffs.
Andreas Behrens, head of product management at SICK, a producer of sensors and sensor solutions for industrial applications, says implementing RFID is not uncommon in the case of large containers containing raw products and in the mixing of bulk materials.
“It offers companies a number of ways to streamline and manage their capacities, focusing particularly on the issues of traceability and process reliability. Using wireless technology for identification purposes opens up a new dimension in automatic data recording.”
He says the automotive industry has been using RFID for years, where a tag is attached to the car body and is encoded with data options for each vehicle.
Because RFID tags are read/write devices and no visual contact of the tag is needed, they provide far better functionality than traditional bar code technology. In addition, they are highly robust, being able to survive harsh ambient conditions such as high temperatures, mud or wetness, Behrens explains.
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Source: SICK RFID tech used in automated tomato harvesting | ITWeb