Automatic Identification Technology and Equipment Application in Modern Logistics 2002-8-5 China Third Party Logistics Network
I. Overview
After the "logistics" concept was formed in the second war, it was gradually improved in the 1960s. Modern logistics is more than just physical flow, but a comprehensive service area of real logistics and information flow. As is well known, information is "flowing" in computer and its network, the most efficient, safest, but the real thing is often to "stream" from the source "stream" by loading and unloading, distribution, storage, warehousing. Realize the information flow, the real logistics "interconnect", you need to rely on automatic identification technology.
Automatic Identification Technology During the logistics process, there is information acquisition and information entry function, refers to the data label information, and the data can be entered in real time without using the keyboard to enter the computer, program logic controller or other microprocessor. The technology of control equipment.
Generally speaking, the automatic identification system consists of a label, label generation device, a reader, and a computer, and other devices. Among them, the tag is the carrier of the information, the reader acquires the information of the label load, and automatically converts to the computer-compatible data mode into the computer, automatic identification of information, and automatic data acquisition of the information system.
During the logistics process, the label is loaded with logistics information, and attached to the logistics unit, ensuring identification information to the physical synchronization, the reader becomes a link between the logistics unit and the information system. The role of automatic identification techniques is obvious in logistics. For example, the delivery process of the distribution center is such that when the goods enter the delivery center entrance end, the staff needs one side to unload, and the goods are prepared according to the ordering order, and determine the shipping model and destination of the goods, and finally The shipping end of the distribution center ships. If the automatic identification technology is not used, "object" is completely separated, the goods are unloaded, the staff can only sit and wait for the information and goods to handle instructions, because there is no such information, which box does not know which box corresponds to, each The box is to transport through routine channels, or to do other processing, where is the destination of transportation. If automatic recognition technology is used, the staff can obtain the logistics information reached by the goods, and passed into the information system, and the goods handling instructions are obtained, and the goods are successfully "stream" as required. Next link. Reduce the storage space of the warehouse, which also reduces the number of documents used by shipping and adjustment, eliminating the cost-hours and human error issues generated by manual processing, and can dynamically understand the whole process of the item operation.
Automatic identification technology family has a batch of automatic identification technology based on different principles, including: bar code technology, RF identification technology, magnetic identification technology, sound recognition technology, graphical identification technology, light character identification technology and biometric technology. There is no advantageous score between various automatic identification techniques, and only the most suitable automatic identification technology can only be determined according to the specific application. Currently, automatic identification is a barcode technology and RF identification technology in logistics applications.
Second, the application of bar code automatic identification technology in logistics
The logistics system using barcode technology, the logistics label is used as the information carrier. The so-called bar code is a set of graphical symbols arranged in a set of spaces that are arranged in a specific rule, and can represent a certain information content. The reader is different depending on the strip, and the empty reflectivity is different, and the optical conversion device is used to obtain the information indicated by the bar code, and automatically convert into computer data format, transmit it to the computer information system.
Barcode technology is to study the "bottleneck" problem entered into the computer application, which can be said to be the most "old" automatic identification technology. Bar code technology has hundreds of huge huge codes, and only more than a dozen are often used. In 1973, the United States Uniform Code Council UCC (Uniform Code Council) selected IBM's barcode system. As a general product code of North America, the UPC code is applied to the food retail industry, and the automatic sales system is used to use bar code technology, which has greatly accelerated the circulation of food. In 1981, an Article Numbering Association, International, and EAN were formed on the basis of the former European Item Coding Association. Building a global unified commodity logo code system and bar code identifier, with the Based POS automatic sales system, the change of sales, inventory management, ordering, settlement methods, also promoted the development of bar code system and its In a wider range, more field applications, gradually push from all aspects of distribution, warehousing, transportation and other logistics from the retail of the supply chain. In recent years, EAN cooperates with UCC to establish a global unified open system's item coding system and bar code identification, providing a solution for barcode applications in full supply chain. Not exaggerated, the logistics process without barcodes has become an unimaginable. Barcode automatic identification technology system consists of barcode labels, barcode generation devices, barcode readers, and computers. Most of the bar code labels are paper substrates, which is generally controlled by the information system, or directly printing on item packaging, with economic, anti-electromagnetic interference ability, etc., there are also internal logistics in many environmental harsh manufacturing enterprises. A wide range of applications. Some companies even use barcode technology to realize the product from raw materials to finished products. Barcode readers include optical writers, CCD readers, and laser readers. The optical pen reader generally needs to be in contact with the label to read the barcode information, and the CCD reader can scan the label at close distance (read distance is usually 10 cm or less), and the laser reader readers can be distinguished. The distance is carried out, and the long-distance reader readers read the reading distance of 1 m or even more. Different types of readers are available for different logistics applications.
Let's take a look at a typical barcode application for a typical warehousing. This is a logistics company with leading, there are 480 places for warehousing or goods treated, covering an area of nearly 1.5 square miles. The company's treatment of goods, from wood, paper to perisuble foods should have. Safe, managing the warehouse goods in an orderly manner is indispensable. The company first conducted professional division of labor on the warehouse. This example is one of the consumer product warehouses, and the goods are scientifically divided by pallet loading, stacking, and warehouse space. Each part is identified by barcode, attached to the warehouse ceiling. A bar code label is also adopted on all cargo packages, a hand-held laser reader with a computer and a long-distance reading bar code label on a forklift. When the goods enter and leave the warehouse, the staff first read the barcode label on the packaging of the goods, and then read the cargo storage barcode label to accurately manage each cargo and its storage position, and achieve physical and information management system Real-time data exchange, ensuring scientific, fast, accurate warehousing management.
Next to the conveyor belt for delivery, it is also equipped with a computer and a laser reader, and the package of the distribution cargo is equipped with bar code labels, and the barcode reader reads the label information moved by the conveyor belt, so that the computer system automatically implements automatically Distribution information entry and real-time statistics, and control the conveyor to send each goods to their exports.
Each package processed by the company uses barcodes to identify destination and source data, and use barcode automatic identification technology to ensure that all transport goods can reach the right place on time. The visible bar code is an ideal carrier carrying this information.
Third, radio frequency identification technology and its application in logistics
RF Identification Technology RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a relatively "young" automated identification technology. In the 1980s, it entered the practical phase after the 1990s. The label and the reader of the radio frequency identification utilize the sensing, radio waves, or microwave energy to perform non-contact bidirectional communication, realizing identification and data exchange of label storage information.
The most prominent feature of RFIT technology is that the high-speed moving object can be identified by non-contact reading (read distance from ten centimeter to tens of meters), can identify high-speed moving objects; strong anti-evil environment, general dirt coverage does not affect the label information on the label Reading; strong confidentiality; can identify multiple identification objects at the same time. The application is wide, commonly used in automatic identification, asset tracking, production process control of mobile vehicles. Since the RF label is highly costly, the current logistics process is currently used in the logistics process, most of the barcode is used for the consumer logo, mostly for logistics appliances, such as recycling trays, and packages.
Three, electrostatic coupling, induction coupling, and microwaves between the RF identification reader and the label.
Electrostatic coupling system, reading distance is 2mm or less, and our common "information button" is to obtain information in an electrostatic coupling, and can be used for the inspection of the cargo.
The induction coupling system, the magnetic field emitted by the reader antenna is not right, and the amount of fire is often used in the direction of moving items, and sorting.
The microwave radio frequency identification system is very strong, generally used for high speed moving objects, such as the identification of the transportation vehicle.
Radio frequency identification of logistics process is generally a system of induced coupling. The working process of the induction coupling system is usually the same; the antenna of the radio frequency reader is transmitted in its active area to form an electromagnetic field, and the item containing a radio frequency tag is excited by the reader, and will be excited by the reader. The stored data is sent to the reader, the reader receives the signal transmitted by the RF tag, decoding the obtained data, achieving the identification purpose. Since the RF identification technology applies to the use of frequencies, transmit power, label types, etc., there is currently no unified standards that are applied in the open loop system like barcods, so it is mainly used in some closed-loop systems. The following examples describe the application of RF identification in some logistics links.
Example 1: Intelligent tray system.
This is also a world famous logistics company, in order to efficiently solve the user's production of raw materials in its warehouse, handling, and tracking problems using radio frequency identification technology as the core, this RF identification system solves the information of raw material circulation. management. The radiographic reader in the system is installed above the channel of the tray to enter and exit, and the RF label is installed on each tray. When the truck is loaded, the reader makes the computer to understand which pallet cargo has already by. When the tray is filled with goods, the automatic weighing system automatically relatively loaded with the total weight of the carrier and compares the weight of a single tray stored in the computer, and obtains differences, understanding the real-time information of the goods. The system daily handles a large number of pallet goods, and the application of RF identification technology is greatly improved, and the information about the raw materials is accurate and reliable.
Example 2: Channel control system.
This is a warehouse for automobile manufacturing, creating a radio frequency identification technology "red, green signal" system, controlling 3,500 warehouses into and out of packing (crate, wicker reusable packaging), these packments The RF identification label is fixed, and the packaging is loaded with raw materials that require specially identified. The RF tag carries the unique identifier of each packing, and is fixed to the box. A radiofrequency reader is installed at the on-export of the packing box, and the reader antenna is fixed above. When the package passes through the antenna, the identification information of the label load is compared with the main database information. When the green signal is on, the box can pass. If not correct, activate the red signal while record the time and date in the database. The system eliminates people in the past, and the paper document management system often appears as errors, excluding the continually overwhelming transport overload conditions, established high-speed, effective and good information input pathways, can obtain information on high-speed mobile processes, greatly saving Time. At the same time, the system uses RF tags to enable the company to quickly obtain information feedback, including damage information, order information that may be canceled, thereby reducing consumer risks. Example 3: Protection of valuables for distribution process.
The foreign bonded warehouse stores the value of expensive goods, in order to prevent the firms, but also lead to delivery delays in order to prevent the tray of these goods, the warehouse adopts RF identification technology to ensure that the forklift is set by correct settings. The mobile tray is lowered by the possibility of non-monitoring road goods, the company built a reader in the upper side, and the forklift is equipped with RF label. Details passing along the way are downloaded from the central database from the central database from the central database, including the correct loading position, and the reader installed along the way will provide via paths. If the label is incorrect, the forklift will be stopped, and some managers reset the traffic path while automatically weighing the monitoring information in real time.
Example 4: Cylinder anti-theft system.
RF labels are installed on each cylinder running in the system. When the truck with a gas cylinder is installed with an exit of a radio frequency reader, the reader can simultaneously identify the label information on each cylinder. If there is a non-registered cylinder, it can be considered to be a stolen bottle, which is limited Out. The system also acquires annual inspection information for the gas cylinder. The system makes full utilization of radio frequency identification systems to identify high-speed moving objects and can simultaneously identify the characteristics of multiple tags, and realize real-time monitoring and anti-theft of gas cylinders.
Fourth, conclusion
Automatic recognition technology has: accuracy - automatic data collection, complete elimination of people; efficiency - information exchange real-time; compatibility - automatic identification technology is based on computer technology, can be seamlessly coupled to the information management system. Automatic identification technology has greatly increased automation, modernization, and is one of the important support technologies for logistics processes.
