Small arms supplier leverages UPM Raflatac and IDentiTRAK Technologies solution to meet federal DoD RFID mandate

One of the largest small arms suppliers to the US Department of Defense (DoD), FN Manufacturing has implemented a turn-key RFID solution provided by IDentiTRAK Technologies and UPM Raflatac. This solution uses IDentiTRAK’s MASTERlink EDGE RFID middleware and UPM Raflatac UHF tags to meet federal RFID tagging requirements for key suppliers. In accordance with the DoD mandate, FN Manufacturing is using RFID to tag several hundred crates and pallets of finished weaponry and spare weapons parts shipped to DoD installations each month from its plant in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
 
In the first phase of the project, IDentiTRAK tested RFID technology and UHF dipole tags that would meet DoD specifications, providing exceptional portal-based read rates of pallets at distances of up to three meters while moving at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. The weapons’ metal content created an especially difficult scenario for RFID tagging. During the tag evaluation phase, IDentiTRAK tested several dual dipole UHF tag designs on crates and pallets containing finished weapons and spare parts to ensure 100 percent read rates.

“Only the Rafsec Frog UHF tag by UPM Raflatac delivered 100 percent read rates during project testing and implementation,” says Ed Benincasa, Vice President of Information Technology, FN Manufacturing. “Other tags tested delivered substantially lower read rates due to interference caused by metal, and some couldn’t be read at all.”

FN Manufacturing uses the UPM Raflatac - IDentiTRAK solution to read pallets twice before the inventory is loaded into outbound trailers: once before they move into the staging area and again at the loading dock. The solution uses both stationary and handheld readers to collect tag data and create carton-pallet association. Later phases of the project will more tightly integrate the tag data collected with the ERP system to verify shipments and ensure order accuracy.  

For further information please contact:
Mr Jan Svoboda, Sales & Marketing Director, Americas, RFID, UPM Raflatac
Tel. +1 805 312 4679
Mr Ed Benincasa, Vice President of Information Technology, FN Manufacturing
Tel. +1 803 736 0522

About UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is a world-leading supplier of self-adhesive label materials for a wide variety of needs in product and information labeling. In addition, the company is at the global forefront in the development and high-volume production of HF and UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and inlays.

UPM Raflatac has around 2,500 employees and made sales of approximately USD 1.3 billion in 2006. The company has a global service network consisting of 11 factories on five continents and a broad network of distribution and slitting terminals and sales offices worldwide. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM. Further information is available at www.upmraflatac.com.

About IDentiTRAK Technologies
IDentiTRAK Technologies is the single source provider of AIDC and EPC Compliant RFID solutions. IDentiTRAK Technologies is comprised of industry leading experts who bring real world experience to each solution they implement. By utilizing their state of the art RFID Center of Excellence, they can simulate virtually any product and environment, which allows them to achieve project success for each client they integrate. For more information, visit: www.IDentiTRAKtech.com.