Optimizing Production Visibility & Workstation Utilization
In the paint shop, the process of painting bus frames involves multiple workstations, where each frame is fitted with a chassis and moved through various stages of production. The frames are transported on tracks, with transfer stations facilitating lateral movement.
The challenge for IVECO Czech Republic a.s. was to achieve better visibility into production planning and optimize workstation utilization. The existing method of tracking frames by manually reading barcodes was prone to human error and did not provide real-time information.
To address these challenges, IVECO Czech Republic a.s. turned to BARCO, a leading integrator of UHF RFID technologies. Specializing in FlexiRay UHF RFID products, BARCO provided the necessary infrastructure and software to seamlessly integrate RFID into IVECO's production workflow.
The RFID system significantly enhances the accuracy of our WIP data, providing precise real-time location information for each frame in the paint shop. This optimization has improved frame flow, enhanced workstation capacity utilization, and facilitated timely detection of order delays.
Track & Trace: Revolutionizing Production Monitoring
Each chassis in the paint shop is now equipped with a UHF RFID tag that contains a unique identifier that links it to the specific bus frame and its production order. FlexiRay UHF RFID antennas and readers are strategically placed at transfer stations throughout the paint shop. As the frames move from one workstation to the next, the RFID system captures and transmits the exact location and movement of the frames in real time.
This data is transmitted to the production planning and visualization software, allowing for complete tracking of each frame as it moves through the various stages of production. By monitoring the position of each frame, IVECO can maintain real-time insight into the production flow and ensure that all frames are where they need to be at each stage.
IVECO Czech Republic a.s., uses UHF RFID systems to track and locate bus frames in its paint shop. (Picture: IVECO)
Automated Efficiency for Better Operations
The FlexiRay SFR4 Slim Rugged Antenna ensures reliable UHF RFID tracking at IVECO Czech Republic’s paint shop, enabling seamless identification and process automation in a challenging industrial environment.
The introduction of UHF RFID technology has revolutionized IVECO's production process by automating the collection of accurate, real-time production data. This system triggers automatic notifications when a workstation remains occupied beyond its designated operating time, allowing management to quickly identify any delays. As a result, work center utilization has been significantly improved and operations management has been streamlined.
In addition to providing greater visibility into daily production schedules, the new RFID system also optimizes the flow of frames through the paint shop.
With real-time data at their fingertips, IVECO's production team can make more informed decisions, improving the overall efficiency of the paint shop and ensuring better utilization of resources.
The introduction of UHF RFID technology has revolutionized IVECO's production process by automating the collection of accurate, real-time production data. This system triggers automatic notifications when a workstation remains occupied beyond its designated operating time, allowing management to quickly identify any delays. As a result, work center utilization has been significantly improved and operations management has been streamlined.
In addition to providing greater visibility into daily production schedules, the new RFID system also optimizes the flow of frames through the paint shop.
With real-time data at their fingertips, IVECO's production team can make more informed decisions, improving the overall efficiency of the paint shop and ensuring better utilization of resources.
The FlexiRay SFR4 Slim Rugged Antenna ensures reliable UHF RFID tracking at IVECO Czech Republic’s paint shop, enabling seamless identification and process automation in a challenging industrial environment.
A Step Forward for Modern Manufacturing
With the successful implementation of UHF RFID technology, IVECO Czech Republic a.s. is demonstrating how innovative technologies can transform traditional manufacturing processes. Integrating RFID into their production system improves both efficiency and accuracy, ensuring smoother operations, reduced human error and a more streamlined workflow from start to finish.
