Implementation of real-time shop floor manufacturing using RFID technologies

Abstract

This paper presents an easy-to-deploy and simple-to-use gateway framework with which advanced applications can be developed to achieve real-time shop floor manufacturing using RFID technologies. Some key enabling technologies including shop floor gateway, workstation gateway, RFID-enabled smart objects and agent-based workflow management are integrated into the framework to implement real-time manufacturing data collection, visibility and traceability. The methodologies and technologies proposed in this paper will enable manufacturing enterprises to improve shop floor productivity and quality, reduce the wastes of manufacturing resources, cut the costs in manufacturing logistics, reduce the risk and improve the efficiency in cross-border customs logistics as well as in online supervision. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.