September 19, 2019
Be it assets, items or components – there’s a lot to track & trace in industrial environments and, frequently, it’s made of metal. That is why Smartrac has launched Skyline, a new, compact RAIN RFID (UHF) inlay enabling an ultra-long read range and high performance on metallic surfaces.
In many industrial applications such as automotive, mechanical engineering and aviation, optimum read range is an essential and important customer demand. The new, compact Skyline inlays provide an appropriate answer, as they enable on-metal labels with an outstanding read range of up to 6 meters under real-world conditions and therefore can be utilized for a high number of possible applications.
Combining advanced technologies and manufacturing processes
To achieve such range, a combination of advanced technologies and manufacturing processes is required. Smartrac developed Skyline based on NXP’s UCODE 7xm IC with 448-bit EPC memory and extended user memory of 2 Kbits. The resulting inlay is then folded and applied around a synthetic spacer. Skyline has been produced in close collaboration with one of Smartrac’s long-term converting partners identytag of Bad Berleburg, Germany, who is also involved in the label manufacturing process. The advanced antenna design, the IC’s long read range and reliable operation in signal-dense or noisy environments, as well as an optimized spacer material, result in high-quality labels with an on-metal read range that previously seemed unattainable for labels as compact as 54 x 25 x 1,8 mm.
“With its unique combination of long on-metal read range and compact size, the new Skyline-based labels underscore our position as the leading RFID provider for demanding application areas such as those in the automotive industry. Skyline also highlights the potential of strong market partnerships, evidenced by the know-how and strengths we have been able to combine within this new product, together with identytag and NXP, all for the benefit of our customers globally.” — Patrick Eichstaedt, Vice President Sales EMEA at Smartrac.
Ideally suited to demanding component tracking applications
For product convenience and robustness, the inlay is permanently attached to the spacer, and a layer of strong and resilient RA-33 adhesive is applied, providing excellent adhesion to a wide array of surfaces. The finished labels, Skyline’s surface is printable with TTR printers and are fully compliant with VDA recommendations for the automotive industry and supported by the leading automation companies globally.
Highlighting the potential of partnerships
“With its unique combination of long on-metal read range and compact size, the new Skyline-based labels underscore our position as the leading RFID provider for demanding application areas such as those in the automotive industry. Skyline also highlights the potential of strong market partnerships, evidenced by the know-how and strengths we have been able to combine within this new product, together with identytag and NXP, all for the benefit of our customers globally,” said Patrick Eichstaedt, Vice President Sales EMEA at Smartrac.
Smartrac and identytag have completed initial product volumes and will be ramping up production in the second half of 2019. For further technical and shipping information on the new product, please contact our Sales & Customer Service Team.
Partner Profile: identytag
identytag® has been a converting partner for Smartrac since 2012 . The company ranks among the “most innovative small- and medium-sized enterprises” (SME) in Germany and has won several awards. identytag is a leading provider of RFID labelling products and solutions for manufacturers and retailers throughout Europe. It develops and manufactures tags and labels using state-of-the-art transponder technology for diverse sectors and applications – innovatively and efficiently. Identytag cultivates an extensive network so that it can integrate interdisciplinary competence in its solutions to achieve maximum quality and leverage innovative strength. |
In many brand, retail, supply chain, RTI (Returnable Transport Items) and industrial applications, RFID products face environmental stresses that challenge conventional inlays and tags but don’t justify the use of industrial-grade hard tags. Now, Smartrac has the answer: its new Dura range, and Dogbone® Dura in particular.
NFC and metal surfaces have a somewhat troublesome relationship, because metal tends to “soak up” the reader’s inductive field. Smartrac has solved that problem, and now launches its new Block On-Metal NFC tag that offers excellent performance when tagging metallic items.
Moisture inside buildings can harm materials and people. Constant dripping erodes concrete and stone, and harmful molds can cause illness. Helsinki’s Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is using passive RFID sensors inside walls, roofs and floors to give early warning of moisture build-up.