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RFID Solution From Domino and Omron Takes Customers Into the Comfort Zone

DOMINO Printing Sciences and Omron Electronics have combined their global reach and expertise in bar coding and RFID solutions to create a strategic alliance to provide customers with a flexible and cost-effective method of linking bar coding and Radio Frequency Identification.

RFID systems can be an expensive and complex business for many hard pressed branded goods suppliers as they strive to meet the requirements of major retailers on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the new Product Traceability System (PTS) from the Domino and Omron partnership takes a seamless system approach to overcome many of these problems.

The alliance will take a customer-audit approach to the needs of individual customers to provide customised features that go far beyond these requirements and create a total solution for factory management that offers real cost savings and in effect provides a ‘comfort zone’ for customers.

“The solution will provide payback; it is not just an on-cost for customers. Every customer is different and we will provide custom-made systems that create real flexibility and options in deploying RFID that can be linked to quality, productivity, automation, and track and tracing systems throughout the factory. For example the system assures 100% product compliance through the elimination of bad RF tag and barcode reads,” explains Simon King, Outer Case Coding Director at Domino.

The non-contact RF tag apply and in-line digital print system ensures total integrity of the bar code and the RFID tag by offering in-line human readable, bar coding and RFID in combination. Whilst this is a major advantage of the Product Traceability System (PTS) over competing offerings, it is the separation of the RF tag from the bar coded data and the human readable information, combined with non-contact application which is the key differentiator.

The RFID tag is not embedded in the bar coded label, which means that both can be read independently and the tag placed in the position of choice. The separate RF tag application ensures absolute flexibility in placement, an essential feature for automated systems to ensure tag readability for different types of products.

“Contact systems may cause degradation of the RFID tag or thermal print face used to apply the bar code and human readable data. The PTS avoids such issues and, because the system is a modular design, customers can start quickly with the cost benefits of in-line digital printing of bar codes and add RFID capability retrospectively when required. There is no need to change print engines or deal with large, potentially expensive labels with embedded RF tags,” says King.

Additionally problems associated with reading RF tags successfully when in close proximity to certain materials (metal, liquids) mean that manufacturers need to build in flexibility for the placement of the tag on the product. The Domino and Omron system accomplishes this by separating the tag and print aspects thus ensuring the tag is placed in the optimum read position and does not interfere with the location of the bar code or human readable information.

The system is easily integrated into existing lines to provide bar coding and RFID encoding and validation in just over 1 metre of conveyor length.

Another important advantage of the PTS is that although the RFID tags and each bar code are validated as part of the coding process it is possible to provide different levels of information in each. This means that the different requirements of the bar coding standard governed by Coding Standard EAN UCC and the information required by the RFID Mandate being introduced by major retailers are met.

“Recent mandates by larger retailers requiring EPC-compliant RFID coding of shipments have created a demand for equipment that can apply and verify those RFID tags,” states Paul Witt, Omron’s Strategic Sales Manager.

“For many companies, that has meant an additional investment and higher production costs with no way to recoup them and no off-setting benefits. The Omron and Domino strategic alliance will help change that. The offering goes far beyond these requirements and takes customers into the ‘comfort zone’ by providing programmable systems for tracking and tracing that are able to ensure that codes applied at each section of the factory production are correct.”

The strategic alliance means that “Big Picture” solutions can be offered to customers while the cooperative effort also brings with it the ability to innovate new, more market focused solutions.

The Product Traceability System is on show at Pack Expo on the Domino Amjet Booth S1578 and in the RFID Pavilion at Booth E-9539.

For more information visit the companies websites at www.dominoamjet.com and www.omron.com/oei

Company Background

Domino Printing Sciences is a world-leader in ink jet and laser technologies offering total coding and printing solutions. The North American market is served by three subsidiaries: Domino Amjet Inc. in Gurnee, Illinois, USA; Domino Printing Solutions Inc, Canada; and Domino Printing Mexico S. A de C.V.

Domino has established a global reputation for the continual development and manufacture of ink jet and laser printing technologies. Variable data such as barcodes and traceability coders are printed onto products in industries such as food, beverage and pharmaceutical.

In 2003 Domino had a turnover in excess of US$295m (£164m). It employs 1,700 people worldwide and sells to more than 120 countries through a global network of 16 subsidiary offices and more than 75 distributors, Domino's manufacturing facilities are situated in the UK, Germany, USA, China and India and include group companies Sator and Alpha Dot.

Omron Electronics LLC is a leading manufacturer and provider of industrial automation products and solutions. Offering complete automation connectivity, extensive product groups include machine vision systems, programmable controllers, sensors, operator interfaces, timers, counters, servo motors and drives, and software. Omron also provides data collection, inspection systems, motion systems and automation systems services and products. Omron Electronics LLC is the Americas subsidiary of Omron Corporation, a $5 billion global leading supplier of reliable, advanced electronics and control system components and services.

Automation.com Real-time Information for the Automation Professional May. 25, 2012

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