Jointly developing temperature sensing RFID tags for industrial machinery maintenance; aim to reduce maintenance workload

Reader device can scan all tags in an area at once; no need to individually scan each tag

Developing maintenance management system to manage and analyze the acquired data

Introduction

NSK Ltd. and TOPPAN Edge Inc. have started joint development of a maintenance management system for industrial machinery and equipment using temperature sensing RFID1 tags. The new product will be exhibited at the “iRex 2023 International Robot Exhibition” to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from November 29 to December 2, 2023, and at the “IPF Japan 2023 International Plastics Fair” to be held at Makuhari Messe from November 28 to December 2, 2023.

System Overview

This system consists of (1) a temperature sensing RFID tag equipped that can be attached to industrial machinery and equipment, (2) an RFID reader compatible with the tag, and (3) a system that can manage and analyze the acquired data.

Attach temperature sensing RFID tags near the bearings or linear motion products to be maintained, and scan with RFID reader as needed while the machinery is operating to obtain the tag's ID and current temperature. Multiple tags in an area can be scanned at once, making the system easy and efficient to use.

By combining NSK's expertise in industrial machinery and equipment with TOPPAN Edge's RFID tag design technology, we aim to realize a new maintenance management system for industrial machinery and equipment, improve work efficiency by visualizing the inspection/maintenance history of industrial machinery and equipment, and increase the efficiency of preventive maintenance by making it possible to check maintenance history and temperature trends on site. We will also aim to improve the efficiency of preventive maintenance by making it possible to check maintenance history and temperature trends on-site.

Development Background

In recent years, there has been a growing need for predictive maintenance, in which sensors are permanently installed to monitor the condition of machinery and equipment to prevent problems before they occur. Periodic inspections and preventive maintenance have conventionally been performed manually at production sites to prevent problems with machinery and equipment, and these tasks require a great deal of resources.

NSK and TOPPAN Edge aim to streamline maintenance inspection and analysis operations and contribute to reducing maintenance workload and further improving safety.

Features

1. No battery, temperature sensing RFID tag compatible with metal surfaces2

The newly developed RFID tag can be read even when subjected to radio interference from metal surfaces of industrial machinery and equipment3.

Temperature sensing utilizes a passive design4, in which power is supplied wirelessly from the reader. The RFID tag requires no battery therefore there is no need to manage or change batteries.

In addition, the unique antenna design and optimized board configuration make the reader compact so it can be attached anywhere.

2. Automatic recording of inspection and maintenance history

The maintenance management system enables quick and easy maintenance record keeping. Data acquired by the RFID reader can be registered and enable customers to track inspection and maintenance history, temperature trends of each machine, ID or product number, the date of start of operation, as well as other data.

Schedule

NSK and TOPPAN Edge aim to conduct pilot tests in various real machinery in fiscal 2024.