Container RFID Pilot Program Radio Frequency Identification

1
Container RFID Pilot Program(Radio Frequency
Identification)
Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01

• Pilot Program
• Program Timing
• Final Results
• Future Requirements

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Container RFID Pilot Program
Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01

• Pilot program to determine real world
  advantages of technology
• Focused on specialty containers due to high
  dollar value and infra-structure required.
• Integrated group of suppliers to provide
  technology
• Program Management and Systems Provider (CAPS)
• Hardware Systems Supplier (Savy)
• RFID Chip Supplier (Intermec)
• ISS/PCL Support through Larry Graham

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
RFID Technology Piloted

• Web Based System
• Accumulate Information from multiple locations
• Programming Logic
• Reports/Data (sharing)
• Portal / Antennae Readers
• Hardwired / Linked
• PC
• Phone Access
• Power (110)
• Passive Chip
• Powered from Reader
• Read Range (6 meters)
• Low Cost (2-5)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Container RFID Pilot Program

• Pilot program commodity Engine Cradles
• Pilot program participants
• Metokote Phase 12 Rail/Truck
• Fairfax Assembly Phase 1 Rail
• Doraville Assembly Phase 1 Rail
• MFD Flint Phase 2 Truck
• SPO Flint Phase 2 Truck
• Obtain system metrics
• Transit time Assembly bank Supplier bank
• Dwell time FIFO Container History
• In-Transit System Variation (Web based
  system)
• Evaluate overall technology for future
  integration.

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Location of RFID Tag General Motors - Fairfax
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System Overview General Motors - Fairfax
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Reader Location 2 General Motors - Fairfax
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Reader Location 1 General Motors - Fairfax
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System Architecture General Motors - Fairfax
Communication Cable
Rail Area
Column A
SaviAntenna
Antenna Cable
SaviReader 210R
120 VAC
Reader Location 2
Reader Location 1
Telephone Line
Savi Asset Manager in NEMA Enclosure
120 VAC
Inside Office near Column A
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System OverviewGeneral Motors - Doraville
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Reader Location 1 General Motors - Doraville
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Reader Location 2 General Motors - Doraville
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Savi Asset Manager General Motors - Doraville
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System Architecture General Motors - Doraville
Communication Cable
Column R22
Column P22
SaviAntenna
Antenna Cable
SaviReader 210R
120 VAC
Reader Location 2
Reader Location 1
Telephone Line
Savi Asset Manager in NEMA Enclosure
120 VAC
Stairs
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System Overview General Motors - Flint/Metokote
Savi Asset Manager (Location specified by GM
must have access to phone line)
SaviReader Location 3
12 x 6 dia. pole
SaviReader Location 1
SaviReader Location 2
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Reader Location 2 General Motors -
Flint/Metokote
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Reader Location 3 General Motors -
Flint/Metokote
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System Architecture General Motors -
Flint/Metokote
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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Container RFID Pilot Program Timing

• Reviews at all facilities with support from each
  sites management.
• Systems installation proposals provided to
  Fairfax, Doraville, Metokote and Flint week of
  10/7/99.
• Hardware installations to begin the week of
  11/29/99 with phase 1 complete 12/31/99.
• RFID Chip installation to run from 2/7/00 through
  3/6/00.
• Begin data reads with initial installations
  2/14/00.

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Container RFID Pilot Program Final Results

• Inconsistent Tag Reads
• 55 reads on Rail
• 40 reads on Truck
• Interference from Steel Structure reduced read
  range of Tag/Antennae (3-4 ft.)
• Possible Solutions
• Fork Truck Reader
• Add more Tags (2 to 4)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Container RFID Pilot Program Final Results

• Bottom Line
• Not a viable solution for Steel Racks
• Interference of signal
• Controlled flow/portal (no solution for rail)
• Robustness of Antennae/Reader
• Lessons
• De-bug set-up in a lab environment
• Relationship of suppliers
• Determine total system requirements for RFID
  (fully integrate)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• RFID Chip / Tag
• Active Tag
• Supplier/Type
• Battery Life (5 year min.)
• Signal Range/Interface to Plant Grid
• Signal Rate (adjustable?)
• Identification for Battery Replacement
• Protective Cover/Size of Tag
• Tag attachment features to container
• Signal Interference (Steel Container/Product)
• Ability to turn tag on and off (activate/de-activa
  te) to reduce battery requirements/size of tag
• Reading of environmental conditions (impact,
  vibration, temp.)
• Tag Cost (initial/volume)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• RFID Chip / Tag
• Passive Tag (continue to evaluate)
• Fully understand read range
• Signal interference (Steel container/product)
• Protective Cover/Size of Tag
• Supplier/Type
• Tag attachment features to container
• Number of tags required to pick-up signal
• Tag Cost (initial/volume)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• Reader / Antennae / Grid
• Plant Grid (GM/Supplier/LLP/CMC)
• Ability to read passive(?) as well as active tags
• Reader Cost (initial/volume)
• Ability to read tags outside in elements (Grid
  system external to plant) for reads of finished
  vehicle tags and trailer yard tags

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• Reader / Antennae / Grid
• Fork Truck Reader (GM?/Supplier/LLP/CMC)
• Ability to read signal upon interface with
  container (10ft. Range with no interference from
  other tagged containers)
• Direct interface to GM EPS screen on fork truck
  with no changes
• Stand-alone system (Grid System not required to
  read / relay information)
• Ability to read passive(?) as well as active tags
• Reader Cost (initial/volume)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• Reader / Antennae / Grid
• Portal Reader (Supplier/LLP/CMC)
• Stand-alone system (Grid System not required to
  read / relay information)
• Ability to read passive(?) as well as active tags
• Robust/Protective equipment (ability to withstand
  rigors of truck dock opening)
• External read, at yard entrance, for read of
  trailer tags (outside in elements)
• Confirmation signal (lights) to ensure read of
  information
• Reader Cost (initial/volume)

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• Reader / Antennae / Grid
• Hand-Held Reader/Write (Container Fabricator /
  Repair / SPO)
• Ability to read and write information to tag
• Initial information as fabricated (seq. ,
  product if special, date, density of product,
  fabricator, GM)
• Repair information (date, type of repair, repair
  source)
• Ability to hand-scan information when Grid,
  Porthole, Fork Truck reader not available

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Randal Stout GMNAC 2/14/01
Future RFID Requirements

• Integrated System
• Common set of standards for all communication
  between equipment above. (GM/AIAG Standard?)
• Encourage development within standard
• Drive down costs/ensure competition
• Data/information available on a web based system
  for sharing between users
• Standard reports
• Electronic notification (Pager/Phone/E-mail)