Tracking is one of the most important factors for businesses as it enables tracking of products from the initial to the final stage. Tracking is very important as this maintains visibility, prevents losses, and optimizes operations. However, tracking of products is not easy manually as something technical needs to be implemented and RFID asset tracking solutions are the newly developed technology for tracking of items in an organization. However, RFID tags face challenges in a metal-rich environment as they cannot track the products when they come into contact with metal surfaces because of signal blockage.
To overcome this challenge, RFID solutions has been enhanced to a new version that is anti-metal RFID tags. This new one is capable of tracking items in a metal-rich environment too. RFID tags have an impressive market size as the RFID market size is expected to be worth around USD 28.0 Bn by 2032 from USD 12.1 Bn in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.
In this article, we will see the importance or role of anti-metal RFID tags in enhancing the asset tracking aspect for businesses. We will also see many other details as the benefits, features, and challenges of anti-metal RFID technology.
What are Anti-Metal RFID Tags Referring To?
Metal RFID Tags are developed to track and identify assets over a long distance, even in situations or enclosures made of metal. These tags can withstand tough conditions and extremely high temperatures since they are made to be strong, resilient, and resistant to adverse situations. So the problem of the rich metal environment challenge in tracking can be solved with this technology.
Also Read: How RFID Asset Tracking Solutions Help in IT Operations
How Anti-Metal RFID Tags Work in Asset Tracking?
Anti-metal RFID tags working is simple as these anti-metal RFID tags’ sophisticated construction works on the use of high-conductivity material that allows them to easily withstand metal interference.
The surface of metal objects is where these tags must be affixed, and doing so is as easy as sticking sticky notes to your refrigerator. This enhances the tracking of assets among the industries so that no unusual loss occurs by improper movement of assets. Here’s a detailed look at how they work in asset tracking:
Ferrite Layer: Anti-metallic RFID tags typically have a ferrite layer or comparable material that acts as a buffer between the RFID chip and the metallic surface. This layer prevents the metallic from interfering with the RFID signal.
Encapsulation: The tags are often encapsulated in protecting substances that assist defend the RFID chip from environmental elements and bodily damage. Frequency Management: Anti-steel RFID tags frequently function at Ultra-High Frequency (UHF), which provides better overall performance and longer read degrees, even on metallic surfaces. The design guarantees that the RFID alerts are nicely emitted and received, minimizing mirrored image and signal loss.
Antenna Configuration: The antennas in anti-steel RFID tags are designed to optimize overall performance on metal surfaces. They are configured to manipulate the mirrored image and propagation of indicators, making sure powerful verbal exchange with RFID readers.
Feature of Anti Metal RFID Tags
As RFID tags, Anti-metal RFID tags also possess a lot of characteristics that can contribute to asset tracking in a challenging environment. Here are a few features mentioned below.
Strong anti-metal performance
Anti-metal RFID tags have features to bear a strong metal-rich environment as their exceptional resistance to metal is demonstrated by their ability to tolerate high temperatures up to 200 degrees as well as mechanical shocks and powerful vibrations. This enables the products to be tracked in adverse conditions.
Strong Resistance to Chemicals
RFID anti-metal tags have a very strong resistance to chemicals. For example, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, RoHS certified, will have a stronger protection rating than other similar products. This enables asset tracking in a chemical environment that doesn’t react with chemicals.
Strong Anti-Jamming Ability
RFID’s anti-metal tag has great anti-jamming capabilities and is appropriate for frequency hopping mode. This enables the tracking of assets in the jam area as it is not affected by jammers and lets out the frequency to track.
Also Read: Role of RFID Asset Tracking Solutions in Oil Industry
Benefits of Anti-Metal RFID Tags
With the above-mentioned features, RFID tag offers a lot of benefits in the context of asset tracking as there are a few important benefits mentioned below.
- RFID tags can store large amounts of data or information about the products. These codes can be scanned with the help of IoT devices and the information shown on the monitor.
- The anti-counterfeiting technology of RFID tags is high, which can reduce the phenomenon of counterfeiting and is more conducive to protecting the rights and interests of customers.
- Utilizing RFID tag anti-counterfeiting technology helps businesses advance their production automation by enhancing production efficiency, cutting costs, and superior the production process. All of these factors contribute to the growth of the business as a whole.
- Streamlines asset tracking strategies, lowering guide efforts and improving operational performance.
- Helps you to save your asset loss and robbery by way of supplying precise region information and permitting actual-time monitoring.
Application in Asset Tracking
Inventory Management: Anti-metal RFID tags and software are use to track metal assets, including gear, machinery, and motors. Each object can be tagged and scanned to preserve a correct inventory, ensuring belongings are accounted for and lowering the danger of loss or robbery.
Manufacturing and Logistics: In manufacturing plants and warehouses, metallic components, and finished merchandise may be tracked during the production and distribution system. This improves performance and offers actual-time statistics on the area and standing of assets.
IT Asset Tracking: Data facilities and workplaces use anti-metal RFID tags to tune IT gadgets inclusive of servers, laptops, and other digital gadgets. This facilitates handling assets, appearing audits, and making sure that vital system isn’t misplaced.
Healthcare: Medical equipment and metal devices in hospitals and clinics are tagged with anti-metal RFID tags to manage stock, ensure proper preservation, and improve the utilization of assets.
Also Read: IoT Asset Tracking Benefits for Hospitals in 2023
Challenges with metal RFID tags in the context of asset tracking
There are a lot of positive factors available for anti-metal RFID tags but also there could be some challenges with these tags. Here are a few notable challenges mentioned below.
- As anti-metal RFID tags are an advanced form of previous RFID tags, the cost of implementation is generally high as small industries cannot afford to make benefits of this technology.
- Periodic battery replacement can be another challenge of anti-metal RFID tags as, after a certain period, it needs to replace the battery of RFID tags which takes a lot of finance.
- RFID tags are operated on radio wave frequency but sometimes there can be interference in frequency transfer by other radio devices. The interference can cause data loss, errors, or incomplete readings, which can compromise the accuracy of the data captured by RFID tags.
- RFID tags on the object being tracked must be positioned correctly because the RFID reader may not be able to read the tag if it is positioned incorrectly or is covered up by other objects, which could lead to incorrect data collection.
Final Words
Anti-metal RFID tags are the new evolution in the field of tracking assets as metal-rich environments are one of the major challenges for this. We have seen many aspects of tags as benefits, challenges, features, etc and lastly, we conclude that this technology is rich in ability to deliver asset tracking.
Hope this article will be able to spread awareness about this incredible technology and contribute to the development and enhancement of the production sectors.
For robust and efficient asset tracking with Anti-Metal RFID Tags, connect with Aeologic Technologies today. Optimize your operations and secure your assets with our advanced solutions.
