Steel-Code®


State-of-the-Art Product Identification System for
Steel Structures.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification is a data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data. The tag is made up of an RFID chip attached to an antenna. Passive tags have no power source but use the electromagnetic waves from the reader to energize the chip and transmit back data.

Like bar codes, RFID tags identify items. However, unlike bar codes, which must be in close proximity and line of sight to the scanner for reading, RFID tags do not require line of sight and can be embedded within an item.

RFID tags hold more data than bar codes, but a major differentiator is the unique serial number in the RFID’s Electronic Product Code (EPC) because it allows tracking of individual items. While a UPC bar code might identify a category of product like a 12” manhole connector, an EPC RFID tag can identify a specific, individual connector.

Steel-Code® : RFID Product Identification

Rugged RFID Identification for Steel Fabricators

 

About Steel-Code®

The fabricated steel industry struggles with workflow tracking as well as job site locating and sequencing.  Current systems are manual and provide little or no real time production data or location data.  Often times, this causes expensive delays locating missing fabrications and costly rebuilds or double builds.  ICT has developed Steel-Code®, a revolutionary wireless RFID solution for the steel fabricator that uses RFID tags to streamline critical inventory management processes. 

Steel-Code® is an RFID tag sealed in a watertight, dust proof housing that affixes securely to a steel structure providing traceability from production the job site.  TrackCon®, a PC based system, uses the data from the Steel-Code® tag to provide management with complete product identification and tracking through the entire process from drawings to the customer and job site.  Management now has a system to report and manage real time.  Not only does this enhance the fabricators’ bottom line but it allows the steel fabricator to provide value to his customer as well.

RFID is emerging as the preferred technology for identification and tracking.  Currently, most fabricated steel plants use manual systems for materials identification and tracking.  The industry tracks fabricated steel structures by paper.  This process will identify the structure for management but requires extensive man hours to provide some of the basic tracking and status data needed to manage work flow and delivery.  To address this problem, the industry has tried to use barcode technology.  Although barcode does help address the problems inherent in any manual system, it has run into major obstacles due to the harsh environment of fabricated steel for any paper based tracking solution. 

A single tag, Steel-Code®, combines human readable format, a bar code and RFID all on one label.  This label is sealed in a ruggedized, watertight, dust proof plastic unit that is permanently attached to the steel structure, allowing it to track the structure from inception and withstand the rigors of a construction environment. 

 

 

 


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