Bumper Production with Identification
System integrator Sigma uses Turck‘s BL ident UHF-RFID system and its Graidware middleware to ensure complete transparency in bumper production at car parts supplier Magna
It was a major car parts supplier, Magna Exteriors and Interiors (MEI), for whom the Saxony-based system integrator Sigma implemented a seamless RFID-based production control system. Utilizing UHF RFID allows for long sensing ranges.
Decision for RFID and UHF Technology
Since August 2012 MEI Meerane has produced front and rear bumpers for the VW Golf VII and delivers these “just-in-sequence“ to Volkswagen Saxony at the site in Mosel. The management of MEI Meerane decided during the planning and development phase of the new site to use RFID technology for automated manufacturing and logistics management. At the beginning of the project, due to the longer reading range, UHF RFID was determined to be the standard
Transparent process
When the raw bumper leaves the injection machine it is immediately equipped with a RFID tag which is registered and managed by the software. This allows tracking and tracing the bumpers during the entire production and logistical process. Prior to lacquering, the position of the bumper inside the skid is detected by a reader, and captured by the middleware. This is used to track the production quality. After the lacquering process the entire paint shop data is automatically linked to the bumper.
Then the bumpers are placed into storage containers according to product type. Multiple RFID readers monitor the correct storage of the bumpers into containers. The AutoID middleware Graidware not only captures the signals, but also checks the signals for plausibility using sophisticated algorithms. Interference signals from neighboring transportation routes or passing forklifts are recognized as false signals and filtered out.
After the final production call the painted bumpers are equipped with harnesses, distance sensors, fog lamps, etc. depending on the configuration. The RFID tag controls the machine via an OPC server, displays the next production step, the configuration of the bumper and loads the appropriate machine program for the welding and punching operations.
The full range
Sigma utilized Turck‘s full range of automation products for the project, and this started with the UHF read/write heads in three housing styles. Sigma used the Q150 readers for the shorter ranges of up to 1.5 meters. Longer sensing ranges were required at other positions, which were implemented by the customer with Q240 read/write heads. For some special process steps, the largest type Q280 UHF readers were required which have maximum ranges of 5 meters.
“A major benefit of the Turck solution was the fact that the triggers, such as light sensors, or as in this case, a foot switch, could be connected directly to the gateway of the BL67 I/O system to which the modules for the readers are also connected – regardless of whether they are sensors from Turck or not,” Frank Pyritz, Sigma managing director, as he describes one of the benefits of the Turck system.
- 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