RFID in the Body Shop

With its UHF-RFID system, Turck demonstrates the benefits of its long-range identification solution at an automotive manufacturer in China

If workpieces must be equipped with data carrier, RFID technology in the UHF frequency band is required. Turck has equipped an automotive manufacturer in China with its RFID-system. Since the data carrier is directly attached on the body, the production will not only be optimized in the body shop but also in subsequent process steps.

The UHF-read/write head TN840/920 reliably captures the data carrier on the car body
The body parts on the rail are later reliably captured by UHF-read/write head
Turck‘s BL67 gateway transmits the data via Profinet to the PLC

Intelligent body shop conveying System
The body shop belongs to the production line. The production line is a strip, long and highly automatic, and the production efficiency mainly depends on the conveying line. The body shop is divided into the lower body line, the side body line, the main body line, and the adjusting line according to production process.

Normal operation of the mechanical conveying system is a prerequisite for production of the entire body shop. Therefore, a highly automatic mechanical conveying system that runs efficiently and continuously is required to link all processes. The PLC controls the entire system and ensures continuous operation of the system. The fieldbus is a Profinet network, connecting all RFID substations in the field. Interface modules in the neighborhood can execute all writing and reading processes under control of the control system, and transmit data in carriers into the control system through the bus.

Optimized welding processes
Welding is an important link among four major processes of car production and features complicated equipment and rapid production. Therefore, improvement of conveyor efficiency of the production line and reduction of waiting time of the production are key factors for ensuring output of a single shift and reducing production cost.

The introduction of the RFID system solves these problems for clients. By mounting UHF labels on the car body and writing related information about the car model, the production line can know the specific location of each car model in real time, so the conveying line can automatically and efficiently classify cars according to models and convey the cars to different production stations.

The ground production line is informed of preparing the corresponding welding parts in advance through reading information on the labels of five to six cars that are going to enter the ground welding line. This method greatly improves continuity of the entire production line and reduces waiting time of the ground welding process.

Moreover, information systems of various shops of the auto manufacturer are relatively independent, and the exchange of a great amount of information is required when car parts are transferred between shops. With Turck UHF labels on car bodies, data carriers pass through all shops along with the car bodies, thus ensuring consistent car information in production links and avoiding the step of transmitting information among car bodies. This greatly simplifies the operation process and improves production efficiency.

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RFID in the Body Shop

With its UHF-RFID system, Turck demonstrates the benefits of its long-range identification solution at an automotive manufacturer in China

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