Avery Dennison RFID Teams Up with Dow Corning and Lowry Computer to Build RFID Solution for Challenging Work-In-Process Application
AD-900 durable tags were used to develop a high accuracy RFID system for Dow Corning to monitor WIP at its chemical processing plant.
Flowery Branch, GA, April 19, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Avery Dennison RFID, a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) and leading RFID technology provider, worked with Lowry Computer to develop a high accuracy RFID system for Dow Corning.
Dow Corning faced a major challenge in implementing a work-in-process RFID application focused on tagging 55-gallon metal drums filled with liquids. Both of these materials have caused major operating issues for many RFID systems.
The liquid/metal challenge required a unique solution. “With ultra-high frequency tags, 902 to 928 MHz, the radio waves are absorbed by liquids and reflected by metal materials,” said Jeff Tazelar, RFID product manager for Lowry. “This prevents reliable reads unless steps are taken to overcome the challenges.”
Engineers at Lowry’s RFID testing facility tested a wide variety of tags and selected Avery Dennison RFID’s AD-900, a durable, impact-resistant PVC tag tuned for direct adhesion to metal surfaces. AD-900 is designed with a PVC backplane to ensure the inlay is off the metal, allowing the radio waves to power up. This tag delivers accurate read rates at long ranges in proximity to difficult materials such as metals and liquids, according to Tazelar.
Dow Corning then used the tags in an in-plant pilot application. “We put drums on pallets and turned them inward so that the tag was facing another drum, and they still worked,” said Dave Zuwala, assistant analyst, manufacturing systems team and RFID consultant for Dow Corning Corp., Midland, Mich. “Our read rates are 100 percent. Being able to read tags on metal drums containing liquids was a huge moment for us, particularly since a lot of people told us it couldn’t be done. And we didn’t even have to use an expensive active tag to make it happen.”
Other key factors contributed to the 100 percent read rates. “The antenna configuration and its positioning are vital to achieving 100 percent read rates, regardless of the tag orientation to the readers,” said Tazelar. “Of course, the most important factor was finding the best RFID tags and readers to overcome the challenges posed by RF-unfriendly materials.”
The winning solution combined Avery Dennison tags, Lowry Computer systems expertise, Reva Systems software and Motorola readers. This successful application has enhanced Dow Corning’s reputation as an innovator in exploring and testing RFID technology for internal, closed-loop manufacturing applications.
For more information on Avery Dennison RFID products, visit www.rfid.averydennison.com
Contact: Cheryl Besl
Strata-G Communications
(513) 381.8855 • cheryl.besl@strata-g.com
Additional Contacts:
Lowry Contact: Elena Palmer
810-229-7200
elenap@lowrycomputer.com
Reva Contact: Peter Blair
978-244-0010 Ext. 213
pblair@revasystems.com
About Avery Dennison RFID
Avery Dennison RFID manufactures and markets RFID inlays and durable tags through label converters and systems integrators. With design, testing and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Europe, Avery Dennison RFID is a leader in the global RFID marketplace, serving manufacturers, the consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. Avery Dennison RFID is a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY), a global leader in pressure-sensitive labeling materials, retail tag, ticketing and branding systems, and office products. Based in Pasadena, Calif., Avery Dennison is a FORTUNE 500 Company with 2007 sales of $6.3 billion. It currently employs more than 30,000 individuals in 60 countries. For more information on Avery Dennison RFID, visit www.rfid.averydennison.com.
About Lowry Computer Products
Lowry Computer Products is the market leading manufacture and systems integrator of RFID-EPC products and solutions with an install base of over 200 RFID customers to date. Lowry’s end-to-end solutions for asset management, supply chain visibility, work-in-progress, track and trace, mandate compliance and food safety traceability deliver real ROI for its customers. Lowry also manufactures fully converted, tested and ready-to-use Smart Trac™ labels with Gen 2 inlays as well as automated labeling systems for supply chain, packaging and RFID applications. Through its 15 U.S. sales offices, 25 service centers and a nationwide network of more than 200 service partners, Lowry provides certified technical support and trusted customer service throughout North America. To find out more about Lowry’s products and services, visit www.lowrycomputer.com
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Dow Corning faced a major challenge in implementing a work-in-process RFID application focused on tagging 55-gallon metal drums filled with liquids. Both of these materials have caused major operating issues for many RFID systems.
The liquid/metal challenge required a unique solution. “With ultra-high frequency tags, 902 to 928 MHz, the radio waves are absorbed by liquids and reflected by metal materials,” said Jeff Tazelar, RFID product manager for Lowry. “This prevents reliable reads unless steps are taken to overcome the challenges.”
Engineers at Lowry’s RFID testing facility tested a wide variety of tags and selected Avery Dennison RFID’s AD-900, a durable, impact-resistant PVC tag tuned for direct adhesion to metal surfaces. AD-900 is designed with a PVC backplane to ensure the inlay is off the metal, allowing the radio waves to power up. This tag delivers accurate read rates at long ranges in proximity to difficult materials such as metals and liquids, according to Tazelar.
Dow Corning then used the tags in an in-plant pilot application. “We put drums on pallets and turned them inward so that the tag was facing another drum, and they still worked,” said Dave Zuwala, assistant analyst, manufacturing systems team and RFID consultant for Dow Corning Corp., Midland, Mich. “Our read rates are 100 percent. Being able to read tags on metal drums containing liquids was a huge moment for us, particularly since a lot of people told us it couldn’t be done. And we didn’t even have to use an expensive active tag to make it happen.”
Other key factors contributed to the 100 percent read rates. “The antenna configuration and its positioning are vital to achieving 100 percent read rates, regardless of the tag orientation to the readers,” said Tazelar. “Of course, the most important factor was finding the best RFID tags and readers to overcome the challenges posed by RF-unfriendly materials.”
The winning solution combined Avery Dennison tags, Lowry Computer systems expertise, Reva Systems software and Motorola readers. This successful application has enhanced Dow Corning’s reputation as an innovator in exploring and testing RFID technology for internal, closed-loop manufacturing applications.
For more information on Avery Dennison RFID products, visit www.rfid.averydennison.com
Contact: Cheryl Besl
Strata-G Communications
(513) 381.8855 • cheryl.besl@strata-g.com
Additional Contacts:
Lowry Contact: Elena Palmer
810-229-7200
elenap@lowrycomputer.com
Reva Contact: Peter Blair
978-244-0010 Ext. 213
pblair@revasystems.com
About Avery Dennison RFID
Avery Dennison RFID manufactures and markets RFID inlays and durable tags through label converters and systems integrators. With design, testing and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Europe, Avery Dennison RFID is a leader in the global RFID marketplace, serving manufacturers, the consumer packaged goods and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. Avery Dennison RFID is a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY), a global leader in pressure-sensitive labeling materials, retail tag, ticketing and branding systems, and office products. Based in Pasadena, Calif., Avery Dennison is a FORTUNE 500 Company with 2007 sales of $6.3 billion. It currently employs more than 30,000 individuals in 60 countries. For more information on Avery Dennison RFID, visit www.rfid.averydennison.com.
About Lowry Computer Products
Lowry Computer Products is the market leading manufacture and systems integrator of RFID-EPC products and solutions with an install base of over 200 RFID customers to date. Lowry’s end-to-end solutions for asset management, supply chain visibility, work-in-progress, track and trace, mandate compliance and food safety traceability deliver real ROI for its customers. Lowry also manufactures fully converted, tested and ready-to-use Smart Trac™ labels with Gen 2 inlays as well as automated labeling systems for supply chain, packaging and RFID applications. Through its 15 U.S. sales offices, 25 service centers and a nationwide network of more than 200 service partners, Lowry provides certified technical support and trusted customer service throughout North America. To find out more about Lowry’s products and services, visit www.lowrycomputer.com
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Avery Dennison RFID
Nicole King
513-381-8855
www.rfid.averydennison.com
Nicole King
513-381-8855
www.rfid.averydennison.com
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