 | Thursday, March 20, 2008
Issue 802 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the thousands of active RFID tags with temperature sensors embedded in the concrete of the new Freedom Tower, which is being built in New York City where the original Twin Towers stood. Construction workers monitor the concrete curing process using handheld readers to get tag temperature data.
RFID chip and reader manufacturer Impinj announced the successful deployment of its chips to track runners in the recent Los Angeles Marathon. ChronoTrack provided the solution, which included not just Impinj chips, but readers and antennas as well. The solution yielded 99.84 percent accuracy for all runners in the race.
Metalcraft has announced the availability of its Hard Tag, a 5-inch by 1-inch ruggedized Gen2 tag. According to the company, the tag withstands exposure to chemicals, operates in water depths down to 130 feet, and can survive 20-ton impacts.
Lastly, due to the Good Friday holiday in the US, RFID Update will not be published tomorrow. We will be back to our regular daily schedule on Monday. |
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| RFID Tags & Labels | | - Ferroxtag HF tags: Smart on Metal! (site) | | | Products & Services | | - Real-Time WIP Visibility Appliance from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL (site) | | - AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China (site) | | - European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany (site) | | - RFID World Asia 2008, 8 to 11 April, Suntec Singapore (site) | | - SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report (site) | |
RFID Puts New World Trade Center on Solid Foundation
RFID is literally helping set the foundation for the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower that is being constructed where the World Trade Center's original Twin Towers stood in New York City. Builders are embedding thousands of active RFID tags with temperature sensors in the concrete used for the foundation and throughout the structure so they can easily and accurately monitor the curing process. The RFID tags are being embedded in poured and pre-form concrete used throughout the structure, which will have more than 2.6 million square feet of office and observation space and is scheduled to open in 2011.
The Freedom Tower will have a blast-resistant steel frame, but thousands of yards of concrete will be used for the foundation, stairwells, elevator shafts, and other elements. Many grades of concrete will be used, and each cures differently. Concrete must be completely cured before it can bear a load. The process can take weeks, which necessitates frequent monitoring to keep construction schedules up-to-date.
"There are several ways to monitor concrete maturity. One is mathematical models, which have a high margin of error. Construction tends to take longer because there's such a safety factor to make sure the concrete is really cured," said Peter Linke, president of IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, whose i-Q32 Temperature Tracking Tags and readers are being used in the project. "There are also wired sensors, but the wire has to be removed later. You can throw our tags right into the concrete and read them with a handheld."
Linke estimates the tags are usually embedded in concrete between eight and 12 feet thick. The concrete being used in the Freedom Tower is a much stronger grade than typically used in construction, and is said to be a record for a New York City facility, but has not posed a problem for getting reads from the active UHF tags.
"We didn't have to modify our product at all," said Linke.
The tags are integral to the Concrete Maturity Monitoring System (CMMS) developed by Wake, Inc., a data collection solutions provider. Wake developed the system several years ago and has provided it for other construction projects. The company offers a good explanation of the concrete maturity process and how the RFID system works on its website.
Linke said the Freedom Tower project is not a typical application for long-range active RFID, but can help people see how the technology could be used. "When people think of RFID, they tend to think about EPC and Wal-Mart-type applications," he said. "We see RFID as an intelligent wireless product rather than a standard EPC identifier. It is like a computer you can embed in something and access wirelessly."
Once curing is complete builders have no further use for the RFID tags, which are left encased in the concrete. Linke said they will remain readable for years, as long as the battery lasts.
Last year 3M released a new line of RFID tags intended for long-term underground use to help locate buried pipes and cables (see New RFID Tags Help 'Call Before You Dig'). Ford has also targeted the construction industry with an RFID solution, offering in-dash computers linked to embedded Gen2 readers in pickup trucks and work vans to help contractors track tagged tools, equipment, and other assets carried in the vehicle (see Ford Builds RFID into Pickups and Vans to Track Cargo).
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| RFID Tags & Labels | Ferroxtag HF tags: Smart on Metal!
Ferroxtag is a new family of HF RFID tags suitable for operation on metallic surfaces. Ferroxtag's special ferrite antenna was developed using Ferroxcube's years of experience in ferrite technology. The high performance antenna means longer read range with a smaller tag. Visit www.ferroxtag.com | | | Products & Services | Real-Time WIP Visibility Appliance from Omnitrol Networks
Meet the industry's most innovative award winning RFID solution that enables complete work-order traceability in manufacturing. Real-time web-based dashboards and multi-site monitoring for work-order pedigree and traceability, including proactive bottleneck management and real-time performance analytics optimizing shop-floor efficiency. All at the lowest TCO in the marketplace. www.omnitrol.com/WIP. | Employees steal over $1 billion per week from employers
the American Management Association reports. 95% of businesses are victimized by employee theft. Managers are reluctant to ask questions, because trusted employees may feel offended, leaving business owners in a difficult situation. What can you do? Nox: Intelligent Perimeter Defense from Simply RFID provides advanced security and protection for business assets. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | Upcoming Events | AWA PABS08 N. America Conference, Sept 11-12, Chicago, IL
AWA is organizing the Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008 on September 11-12 in Chicago, IL. The event includes presentations and panel discussions with brand owners, legal authorities, associations, converters and suppliers; also networking sessions, a supplier forum, a social program and more. Find more on the program here. | AWA PABS08 Asia Conference, Dec 4-5 - Hong Kong, China
AWA presents the Asian Product Authentication & Brand Security Conference 2008, to be held on 4 & 5 December in Hong Kong, China. PABS08 Asia focuses on the threats specific to the Asia Pacific region, various elements of IP Theft, and leading-edge solutions. Find more on the program here. | European Supply Chain & Logistics, 13-15 May, Germany
Bringing together Europe's leading providers of supply chain management to evaluate best practices and to move the supply chain agenda into the boardroom. Also, featuring the AMR Research Strategy Session: What makes a supply chain world class in today's global market? More information here: www.supplychain.eu.com | RFID World Asia 2008, 8 to 11 April, Suntec Singapore
RFID World Asia 2008 is THE event for finding out the transforming power of RFID for your business and its future. Sign up now for RFID Asia Summit 2008, targeted at senior-level executives; to understand and reap the benefits of this new business tool. For more information go to www.terrapinn.com/2008/rfid | SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008, June 19-21, Guangzhou, China
As one of the earliest, most specialized and authoritative exhibitions in China, approved and supported directly from State Ministry, the 8th SCAN & RFID CHINA 2008 will present you the impressive up-dated development and market of RFID technology in rising China. To know more, please go to www.scan-china.com. | | | Research & Whitepapers | RFID Marketing Strategies Report
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now |
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