Simply RFiD

Can you tag it? How to use RFID tags on different materials

Not all types of material react the same way to all types of RFID tags. For example, an RFID tag that can get excellent read ranges when attached to a file folder might not work nearly as well on a metallic surface. However, a tag specially made for metal might get an equally poor read range on a simple file folder. Knowing about the materials RFID tags can and can't be used on can save all RFID users a lot of potential headaches. 

Cardboard 

RFID works exceptionally well on cardboard. RFID tags can be placed on the cardboard, built into   the cardboard or placed on items inside of cardboard containers. When it comes to placing tags, any part of a cardboard container or object can be tagged. However placing the tag so that it faces the reader can significantly improve read accuracy and speed. The best tag we offer for use on cardboard is the Nox-2 ultra long read range tag. On cardboard, it has a read range of anywhere from 40 to 60 feet. 

While cardboard might be easy to tag, the items placed inside the cardboard might be more difficult. Here's a few of the trickier items to tag.

Metallic objects

 Metal is tricky. Metal reflects the Radio Frequency of RFID tags, and therefore the tags either need to be specially designed for metal or attached without actually touching the metal with special spacers. Bubble wrap, Styrofoam and other neutral materials can be used to attach non-metallic tags to metal, or you can use one of our specially designed made for metal tags. The rugged Nox TM-4 gets  10 feet of reliable read range when attached to metal. It's also the perfect tag for more physically demanding jobs. If you need a tag that can get very hot, cold or wet, then the TM-4 is your tag. 

(Check out our support page for links to neat videos demonstrating that, YES, you can boil this tag in a pot of water, bake it in the oven and freeze it and it will come out unscathed.) 

Liquid containers

 Liquid is even trickier to tag than metal. In fact, it's difficult to get much of a reading at all when a tag is directly attached to the container unless the reader is very close to the tag. There's also no tag available yet that can be easily read when attached to liquids. Instead, it works better to use hanging tags, or tags attached to another part of the shipping container (but still far enough away from the liquid so you avoid interference). We'd also recommend you give us a call at 800-909-5524 or email our support team so they can help you figure out if RFID is right for you. 

Asset Tracking Best Practices - First Hand Account

After moving to our new office in the previous year, SimplyRFiD is now starting an asset tracking program of our own. While figuring out what to tag and going through the process of tracking those items, we thought it could be instructive to show how we're figuring it all out for ourselves.

RFID Tagging Tips

• Determine what items need to be tagged. We focused on items that cost over $100. 
• Figure out the material the items are made of. Certain RFID tags can work on metal and and others on non-metal, but figuring that out before actually ordering or printing tags saves time  and money.   
• Create a spreadsheet first, before any items is physically tagged. The spreadsheets we created allowed multiple people to work on the same project easily.
• Our spreadsheet contained the following information
• • Tag number 
  • Item description
  • Item location  
• Tags might need to be strategically placed for optimal readings. Our experience told us that visible tags were read the easiest by our handheld reader. 
• Arranging the tags so that they're all on roughly the same level also helped make the scans go faster. 
• Using the Nox Core to keep track of the items being tracked allowed the person tagging to change the spreadsheet on the fly. This can then be synced up with the master list on the computer later. Of course, it's much easier to do the changes on the computer, but the Nox Core can still be used as an editor. 

More Thoughts on RFID Asset Tracking

 What was one of the the other thoughts we had during this process? It was very easy! Our project leader said she would be confident in letting anyone handle the tagging and scanning, with very little training necessary. As long as the proper tags are chosen for the project, it can be completed in relatively little time, as well. For our group of about 70 items, it only took about an hour.

Once the tagging is completed, we now plan on scanning our items once every few weeks. That process should only take about 15 minutes at a time. In our case, the biggest delay comes from traveling between all the different rooms the items are located in. If the items were all in a central location, it would be even faster to scan everything.

Final Thoughts

Now that we're finishing this initial asset tracking project, we've got plans for the future using all that we've learned. We also are learning even more about the process so we can help all of our customers use our system more efficiently in the future. If you need help with your asset tracking systems and want to know if RFID could work for your company, contact us at support(at)simplyrfid.com address, or by calling 1 703.343.1689

Join us for ISC West 2010 in Las Vegas with a Digital Guest Pass

It's hard to find a better event for anyone interested in the security industry than ISC West. Everyone from end-users to dealers, installers and manufacturers can benefit from education, product demonstrations and networking during the event. This year's show takes place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The Education Events take place March 23-25 and the Exhibition March 24-26. 

Of course, SimplyRFiD will be there, showing off our asset tracking solutions and answering questions about using RFID to solve a variety of problems. If you'd like to join us there, we have a special offer for you! Follow the link in the graphic below to get a special discount off of a conference package and free admission to the Exhibit Hall. It's an unbeatable deal. We'll see you at booth 2061!