Support for Maintenance Processes Using RFID
Published on : Monday 30-11--0001
Safety is of utmost importance during the transport of potentially dangerous process media in chemical processing plants. To ensure safety at all times, regular inspection and maintenance of hoses is required by law.
Intuitive Software Allows for Easy Verification of Maintenance Performed
RFID handhelds from Pepperl+Fuchs and ecom paired with custom software from Neoception allow for convenient and efficient maintenance, even in hazardous areas. Each hose is clearly identifiable via a UHF RFID tag, which includes the following information:
• Equipment number
• Test date/time
• Hose length and diameter
• Conductivity
• Test pressure, and
• Date of the next inspection.
Using the RFID handheld and the "hose manager" software from the Pepperl+Fuchs start-up Neoception, the auditor is guided through the maintenance procedure step-by-step. Automatic identification and user-friendly software virtually eliminate errors. The results of the test can be seamlessly transferred to a back-end system and serve as the documentation and proof of the tests carried out. During the process of designing the user interfaces, care was taken to ensure that they were ergonomical and glove-operable.
More Benefits from Additional Functions
Additional functions help support work processes even better. A localization function, which evaluates the strength of the tag's response signal, helps to significantly reduce the time needed to search for a test object. In addition to RFID, all optical 1-D and 2-D codes can also be read via the integrated imager.
Automation is our world. A Perfect application solution is our goal.
A willingness to take entrepreneurial risks, a pioneering spirit, and a firm belief in their own inventive powers – these were the assets that Walter Pepperl and Ludwig Fuchs started out with when they opened their Mannheim radio repair shop in 1945. Their invention of the proximity switch a few years later proved their strength. It was also the starting point in a successful history defined by close customer relationships as well as innovative automation technologies and procedures. Then as now, our focus is directed squarely on the individual requirements of each customer. Whether as a pioneer in electrical explosion protection, or as a leading innovator of highly efficient sensors – the close communication with our customers is what allowed us to become the leader in automation technology. Our main objective is combining state-of-the-art technologies and comprehensive services to optimize our customers’ processes and applications.
Captions
Pix1: RFID handhelds enable maintenance processes to be performed and documented efficiently
Pix2: Regular maintenance is required to ensure that chemical plants are operating safely