Composite Mat Solutions Integrates RFID Solutions from RFIDlogic and Parelec into Mat-Making Process
Composite Mat Solutions (CMS), based in Carenco, LA, USA, maker of high performance mat systems for the construction, entertainment and film, energy and oilfield, utility, sports arena and facility management, and other industries has announced that it will be including a passive RFID chip with every mat produced for both its Bravo® Mat and DURABASE® Systems. The passive RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification tags, are embedded inside each of its mats and have been jointly developed by Parelec (Rocky Hill, NJ), a leading manufacturer of fully additive inks for electronic printed circuits, and RFIDlogic (Marietta, GA), a top developer of RFID hardware and software integration services and one of the participants in Parelec’s Certified Printer Program. These passive RFID tags come equipped with individualized serial numbers specific to each mat and are now available in each mat made at CMS.
The information on the RFID tag is readable through a hand-held radio device. "The new RFID technology is a proprietary process using Parelec’s Parmod conductive inks and set up by RFIDlogic for the use of CMS and its customers," says Frank Buck, President of CMS. "We are further differentiating our product by taking it into the information age. This is another example of Value Added innovations to our customers, now they have another powerful tool to help them use their mats."
"The idea behind the RFID technology implementation," says Corey Fontenot, Applications Engineer of CMS, "is a way to individualize each mat in our customers’ inventory. Serial numbering our products has always been difficult in the harsh environments that the mats are used. Now the serial number is on the RFID chip embedded in the mat itself, protected from the hazards of harsh elements." The RFID technology will give the customers of CMS an easily readable and accessible identification process for their mats. Capable of reading the radio signal through wood, dirt, plastic, and other material, the RFID technology is both field and manufacturing plant capable.
"Identifying what mat is lying where isn’t always easy in the field," says Ron Houghton, DURABASE® Sales Director at CMS. "The new RFID technology gives our customers an easy remedy to their identification needs." The hand held radio controlled units come in a rugged field ready model, capable of surviving through the freezing tundra, muddy swamps, and rainy fields where Bravo® Mat and DURABASE® are frequently utilized. The RFID technology delivers to our customers an easy solution to the chore of keeping track of their inventory of mats.
"The passive RFID receive their power from the reading radio controller or antenna, thus giving a life span to the RFID tags equal to the lives of the mats themselves," says Fontenot. "This allows CMS to give their customers a long lasting solution to the identification problem that exists when dealing with large fleets of mats." The RFID tags feature a system that can automatically place the serial number in a computer database as the mat rolls off the manufacturing line. "This information found in the database can be customized to fit the needs of the customer, so the customer can easily access all of the information needed for servicing, renting out the mats, recording repairs, or a general survey of inventory by company."
"CMS has installed RFID receptors at the ends of the Bravo® Mat and DURABASE® assembly lines in order to automatically receive inventory counts and serial numbers for each mat," explains Scott Rogers, Director of Engineering. "We then store the mat serial number, temperature at time of production, which shift created the mat, and at what date. All this information is available to the customers." CMS has also installed RFID towers at every exit and entry point around its Carencro, LA yard. The system they devised keeps track of what shipments that come in or goes out and at what time. "Our system allows us to keep better track of systems and mats, something we use to help better service our customers' inquiries."
Another option offered by CMS and RFIDlogic is the use of Active Tags for RFID identification. "These tags, much like the passive tags, have a serial number unique to each chip," explains Fontenot. "But, unlike the passive tags, these can have more information stored and altered directly on the chip. The active tag is a great way to bypass the computer database if a customer so chooses" These Active tags are available in the Bravo® Mat and DURABASE® System lines for an extra cost. The Active tags are a little more complicated and require some more advanced equipment in order to re-write.
"The Active tags can also be fitted with a GPS positioning software package that allows the customers of CMS to go online and pinpoint the exact location for their entire fleet of mats," says Buck. "This option was something we envisioned being used more by the customers with exceptionally large fleets, but we decided to make it available to everyone."
All of these RFID options were designed and implemented by RFIDlogic for CMS to allow better investment control by their customers. CMS is the matting industry leader in innovation and design, the RFID technology is just one of the things that CMS is planning for the near future. "Our engineering staff never stops coming up with new ideas to improve on our mats," says Buck. "The RFID is just one example. Our customers have come to expect value added solutions from CMS, and that is what we deliver."
The cornerstone product of CMS is the DURABASE® Mat System, which was developed for use in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas for oil exploration. DURABASE® is now used worldwide in many different markets. CMS has since introduced a lightweight, hand portable mat with self-contained fasteners called the BRAVO Mat® System. Plans are underway to develop other specialized product lines and to enhance the performance and life span of established products.
RFIDlogic, a leader in the RFID technology sector and integration specialist, provides a full range of hardware, software development, RFID systems integration, and consulting solutions in a rapidly evolving market. While RFIDlogic caters to a segment market of medium-size and smaller companies it is uniquely qualified to provide international and global solutions as well. RFIDlogic is a leading provider of automated material handling solutions, supplying its customers with an integrated set of leading-edge technologies, RFID implementation, warehouse control systems, and total material handling automation. RFIDlogic continues to provide extended support to CMS and our warehouse and distribution customers," says Andy Shapira, VP operations. "RFID technology combined with the Shadowfax platform gives our customers best of breed solutions to implement at their various facilities."
Parelec applies nanotechnology and advanced materials systems to develop and market conductive inks and related materials for the manufacture of electronic circuits. The company’s core product lines, Parmod® inks and pastes and Modflex™ films, provide cost, speed, and functional improvements over traditional circuit production materials, which benefit both producers and users of electronic circuits. Parelec’s products are used to provide low cost RFID antenna, specialty, and flexible circuits, intelligent packaging, heaters/defrosters for plastic windows, and in semiconductor packaging for a wide variety of electronics and consumer products.
The Parelec Certified Printer Program is a comprehensive program for customers in the RFID value chain. This exclusive program permits customers to acquire RFID antennas from Parelec’s proven Certified Printer Partners for inlays, labels, packaging, and other applications with a rapid turnaround and at low cost. Under the Parelec program, any eligible customer who is looking to implement RFID projects will have access to Parelec’s fully trained and certified printers who manufacture RFID labels, companies experienced in tag assembly operations, and integration. The program promotes cost efficiencies and partnership opportunities that will simplify and speed up RFID project implementation.
For more information, contact:
Composite Mat Solutions, 2900 Hwy 93, Carencro LA 70520, 1.877.MAT.ROAD (628.7623) 337.896.8976, fax 337.896.1971, www.compositematsolutions.com, info@compositematsolutions.com
Parelec, Inc., 5 Crescent Avenue, Building C, P.O. Box 236, Rocky Hill, New Jersey 08553-0236, 609.279.0072, fax: 609.252.1288, www.parelec.com or Geva Barash at gbarash@parelec.com
