RFID in Manufacturing: An Implementation Case in the SEPT Learning Factory

This paper presents the application of RFID technologies in a Learning Factory (LF) – an academic environment that mimics a manufacturing line – that has been developed at McMaster University in the School of Engineering Practice and Technology. The use of RFID digital technologies in the manufacturing line implemented in the SEPT LF, and a strategy to implement them are presented. The ways in which RFID systems allow traceability of manufactured products and provide visibility of the production data that is an essential element in the implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts in manufacturing are discussed. Several types of applications that implement RFID technologies are described. Applications of using RFID technologies in manufacturing, storage, assembly, testing and packaging are listed.