ABInBev, one of the world's leading brewers, sought ways to gain deeper insights into the logistical movements of their beer crates. Specifically, they wanted to explore the possibility of automatically tracking the routes of these crates using RFID technology. The goal was to create a reliable system that could monitor the location and status of beer crates throughout the supply chain.
The primary challenge lay in reading RFID tags from beer crates stacked on pallets. A standard pallet typically holds 70 beer crates, each equipped with an RFID tag. While RFID technology can usually read thousands of tags in a matter of seconds, the composition of the crates posed a significant problem: beer is 95% water, and water absorbs the radio waves used in RFID communication. This meant that RFID tags located in the middle of the pallet, surrounded by beer, were often difficult to detect. Previous attempts to solve this problem had been unsuccessful due to these absorption issues.
Trackware approached the challenge by optimizing both the RFID tags and the hardware setup to ensure maximum readability, even in difficult conditions. The solution involved carefully selecting RFID tags that offered excellent performance when affixed to the material of the beer crates.
In addition, Trackware developed an advanced RFID portal system, leveraging an Impinj RFID reader and 8 highly sensitive Axem antennas. The portal was designed with 3 antennas on either side and 2 overhead, creating a powerful and precise reading zone capable of capturing signals even from the most challenging angles.
The outcome of this setup was a breakthrough in RFID tracking for beer crates. In nearly all cases, the system was able to read all 70 RFID tags as the pallet passed through the portal.
This achievement was made possible not only by advancements in RFID technology but also by Trackware's expertise and strategic approach to solving complex challenges. By combining innovative hardware with deep industry knowledge, Trackware provided ABInBev with a solution that significantly improved their logistical operations. This enabled the efficient tracking and management of beer crates throughout the supply chain, setting a new standard for RFID-based inventory management.
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