Performance analysis of the RFID system for optimal design of the intelligent assembly line in the learning factory

Abstract

New industrial revolution, called Industry 4.0, is based on the evolution of information and communication technology. It creates new challenges for the scientific and industrial community, but it also creates a specific challenge to demonstrate this new industrial platform in the learning factory environment. A significant and interesting topic for a demonstration of Industry 4.0 is to track the manufacturing execution by using the RFID (radio-frequency identification) system. Thus, creating a system called RFID-enabled Manufacturing Execution System (MES). RFID technology is interesting, because it enables, not just identification of some product like barcode technology, but also writing the data on the RFID tag attached to the product (data about process times, ERP product data, or similar). This kind of live tracking of manufacturing execution can significantly improve production planning, especially for the small-lot and single-item production. Learning factories are, in the most cases, oriented to this type of production. However, RFID technology has its limitations. In this research, a performance of the industrial RFID system has been experimentally tested. Presented results give guidelines for the design of the intelligent assembly line in the learning factory at University of Split, regarding the limitations of the RFID systems.