IDCRAFT: RFID Instead of Passwords for Secure Machine Login
With the Kronotech PH22 from Italian manufacturer Kronotech Srl, IDCRAFT offers a compact HF, NFC and LF RFID panel reader for operator authentication directly at machines and equipment. Its 22 mm mounting design enables easy integration into existing control panels and supports the use of existing employee badges for role-based machine access.
IDCRAFT GmbH is expanding its portfolio for industrial RFID applications with the Kronotech PH22. The panel reader was developed for the secure and practical authentication of operators at machines, systems, and industrial control systems.
The PH22 supports both 13.56 MHz HF/NFC and 125 kHz LF, fits into the standard 22-millimeter installation concept, and can be connected directly to an operator panel, industrial PC, or control system via USB or RS232.
With this solution, IDCRAFT addresses a key challenge in machine and plant engineering: secure, traceable, and easily integrable access to machine functions.
RFID Instead of Passwords and Key Switches
In many production environments, certain machine functions are still enabled using passwords on the HMI or mechanical key switches.
This can create vulnerabilities, especially during shift operations. Passwords are shared or written down, while keys are passed around among employees, maintenance personnel, and external service providers. As a result, it is not always possible to clearly trace, after the fact, which person enabled a specific function or made a change.
With RFID-based operator authentication, IDCRAFT enables a clear link between the user, authorization, and machine access.
The operator holds their personal RFID badge up to the PH22. The assigned role can then determine which functions or operating modes are enabled.
Continue using existing plant ID cards
A particular advantage for IDCRAFT lies in the use of existing RFID infrastructure.
In many companies, employee ID cards are already in use today for access control, time tracking, cafeteria systems, or other internal applications. The PH22 enables machine manufacturers and operators to use these existing ID cards for authentication at machines as well.
This allows different user roles to be defined, for example for:
operators,
set-up technicians,
maintenance,
service personnel, or
external service providers.
In many cases, this eliminates the need for an additional ID card system.
An existing employee ID card can thus also serve as a digital key for specific machine functions.
Machine access is becoming increasingly relevant to safety
In light of the EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which takes effect on January 20, 2027, securing machine control systems is becoming even more important.
Among other things, the regulation sets requirements for protecting safety-critical hardware and software against unintentional or intentional modifications. The traceability of certain interventions and changes also plays a greater role in this context.
At the same time, the IEC 62443 series of standards addresses identification, authentication, and access control within industrial automation and control systems.
For IDCRAFT, this means that machine builders will need to pay even closer attention in the future to who is authorized to perform which functions on a machine and how this access can be tracked.
The PH22 for Integration into the Control Panel
The Kronotech PH22 is designed for an installation diameter of 22 millimeters and can therefore be integrated directly into control panels, operator panels, or corresponding machine enclosures.
The reader supports:
RFID/NFC at 13.56 MHz,
LF at 125 kHz,
USB as a virtual COM port,
USB-HID keyboard emulation, and
RS232.
Depending on the transponder used, the integrated antenna enables read ranges of up to approximately 30 millimeters.
An SDK with documentation, command protocols, and a Windows demo supports integration into Windows and Linux environments. The front of the reader is IP67-rated.
IDCRAFT also assists customers in selecting suitable RFID technologies, ID cards, and interfaces, as well as with questions regarding integration into existing machinery and access control systems.
From Operator Login to Audit Trail
The PH22 can be used for various authentication and authorization processes.
Typical applications include:
an operator’s login at a machine,
authorizing specific operating modes,
distinguishing between automatic, setup, and service modes,
role-based access to machine functions,
the authorization of recipes and parameter sets,
maintenance and servicing access,
the identification of external service technicians, and
documentation of which user triggered an approval and when.
This allows RFID-based operator authentication to be used as part of a more comprehensive role, access, and authorization concept.
“In the future, machine builders will need to integrate access protection and traceability more closely into their devices—ideally without placing an additional burden on the operator. With the PH22, we offer a compact solution that fits within the standard 22-millimeter mounting dimension, can utilize existing employee ID cards, and can be connected directly to the control system and HMI. This transforms a growing security requirement into a design element that can be easily integrated,” says Patrick Kochendörfer, Managing Director of IDCRAFT GmbH.
Further Information
Machine builders, system integrators, and operators can find technical specifications, supported interfaces, and further information about the Kronotech PH22 on the IDCRAFT product page: https://www.idcraft.com/all-products/kronotech-ph22
About IDCRAFT GmbH
IDCRAFT GmbH, headquartered in Neuhofen, is a B2B value-added distributor for RFID and NFC hardware. The company supports customers in selecting and integrating auto-ID and RFID technologies and supplies businesses in Europe across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, retail, and the public sector.
Its portfolio includes products and solutions from various manufacturers and brands in the RFID, NFC, and Auto-ID sectors.
Contact
IDCRAFT GmbH
Patrick Kochendörfer
Siemensstraße 5b
67141 Neuhofen
+49 6236 4494 685
www.idcraft.com