Process and chemical industry
Unique identification of objects
The process industry, especially the chemical industry, is the engine of our economy. The major trades of the chemical industry are organic and inorganic raw materials, chemicals, fertilizers and plant treatment agents, plastics and synthetic rubber, pharmaceutical products and other products such as cleaning agents, adhesives, cosmetics, preservatives, dyes and auxiliaries for textiles. In short, everything we need for everyday life.
RFID/NFC technology for the chemical industry
The process industry in Germany alone procures more than 5 million items of technical equipment every year for the construction and maintenance of production facilities. Simple and clear identification of all objects is therefore essential. Standardized identification technologies such as RFID/NFC digital name plates or RFID/NFC industrial tags.
Uniform, standardized identification enables the information associated with a physical object to be called up in various IT systems across all processes, from storage and retrieval, assembly, maintenance, inspection and repair through to dismantling. This object-specific information can be called up, changed, supplemented and saved as required. This is why smooth collaboration, cooperation and communication are so important - and RFID/NFC technology makes this possible.
The Digital Data Chain Consortium (DDCC)
The Digital Data Chain Consortium was formed from the following three bodies: DIN SPEC 91406 Consortium, VDI Technical Committee 2770 and Digital Platforms Working Group. The largest players in the process industry are concerned with the automated and standardized identification of physical objects along the process and value chain. The aim of the DDCC is to establish the complete digital data chain from the manufacturer to the plant operator. This includes the further development of the national standards DIN SPEC 91406 and VDI Guideline 2770 into international ISO/IEC standards and the further development of cloud-based information exchange platforms for the provision of digital manufacturer information.
Find out more about the DDCC here: Automatic identification - Digital data chain
The result is the creation and publication of an international standard IEC 61406. This international standard describes identification by means of a globally unique, machine-readable ID that is applied to a physical object - similar to a type plate or label. The information can be read using commercially available smartphones or tablets by applying a QR code or NFC tag. At the same time, plant equipment can be easily identified, allowing production employees to be provided with suitable information, such as maintenance plans or parts lists, directly on site.
Special attention is paid to further processing in the downstream IoT systems. All physical objects are to be tagged using RFID/NFC technology and/or 2D code can be clearly identified using a standardized syntax. This means that the labeled objects are perfectly integrated into the IoT system loop.
Unique and memorable marking
Unique identification is the basic prerequisite for accessing and maintaining information on the digital twin of a physical object. The key to success is simple presentation and implementation. The newly developed logos, which clearly identify the Globally biunique ID and thus herald a new industry standard in the process industry, meet these criteria.
Users and external service technicians can therefore quickly and easily ensure that the correct RFID/NFC tag or 2D code is read. Mix-ups are ruled out in future and the error rate is reduced.
RFID/NFC technology makes it possible
Since physical objects in the chemical industry are also used in environments with heavy soiling, high mechanical stress or in areas that are difficult to access, contactless identification using RFID/NFC technology offers considerable advantages over 2D codes. The contactless readable RFID/NFC technology is resistant to contamination. An RFID/NFC tag is attached to the physical object. Different mounting options can be used - either the RFID/NFC tag is glued, riveted, embedded directly into a material or attached with cable ties.
This is what our RFID/NFC tags offer
A RFID/NFC tag, which is used within the scope of the DIN SPEC, is subject to many requirements. Attachment and visibility on the object play a role, as do the operating frequency, chip coding, readability by different RFID readers and functionality throughout the entire life cycle.
Our RFID/NFC tags - be it digital nameplates, industrial tags or labels with integrated RFID/NFC technology, meet all these requirements of the standard. We develop and produce RFID/NFC tags tailored to all areas of application - in terms of shape, color, size, print, material, attachment and thermal, chemical and mechanical resistance.
RFID/NFC tags for potentially explosive atmospheres
For RFID/NFC use in potentially explosive atmospheres, additional requirements may apply. The RFID/NFC tags from smart-TEC are specially certified for the explosion-proof area and can be used wherever flammable gases, dust or dust-air mixtures occur. Our production sites have appropriate certification for the manufacture of ATEX-compliant NFC data carriers.
Product examples
Modern identification in the form of a globally standardized identification string
All industry partners of the DDC consortium have agreed on a uniform syntax that enables every user to apply a unique identification that can also be interpreted worldwide.
Special care has been taken to ensure that the identification character string can be processed without errors. For example, no special characters may be used that cannot be processed or that cannot be transmitted or misinterpreted during processing in IT systems.
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