RFID Tracking in PCB Manufacturing

Omnitrol Networks and Texas Instruments have formed an alliance that will deliver radio frequency identification (RFID) to enable real-time traceability in applications for printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. These RFID solutions will enable visibility to location, status, and time information on PCB items in the production process. TQ Components is piloting the RFID-enabled PCB tracking solution in Germany. ...

... "The new offering, which integrates Omnitrol Networks' Work-in-Process visibility software and TI's Gen 2 chip technology, provides electronic and contract manufacturers a highly automated method of simultaneously identifying and tracking PCBs from the manufacturing floor to customer delivery. The demand for higher quality, flexibility and efficiency in PCB manufacturing is driving the need for non-line of sight RFID work-in-process tracking that offers several improvements over relatively large, fixed memory barcodes. RFID's small chip size can effectively be used on increasingly scarce board real estate, and its programmable memory allows PCB manufacturers real-time work-in-process visibility into parts, labor and finished goods throughout their manufacturing operations. In addition, RFID solutions provide a highly accurate and comprehensive view of manufacturing data throughout the product lifecycle which can help reduce warranty, safety and liability costs. The complete solution integrates Omnitrol Networks' award-winning Work-In-Process (WIP) visibility software and industrial sensor integration appliance, Gen 2 RFID readers and Texas Instruments' RFID Gen 2 UHF chips." ...

Via Omnitrol: Real-time RFID traceability to printed circuit board manufacturing