RFID-enabled smart assembly workshop management system

Although RFID technologies are enjoying rapid developments, its practical use in manufacturing processes is still limited. Existed applications focus mainly on the pallet-level RFID implementation, which facilitates batch data processing in material handling operations, e.g. material delivery, yet cannot realize real-time lean control for individual parts. This leaves the manufacturing processes as a blank area for taking full advantages of RFID. This paper discusses the item-level RFID implementation in terms of both real-time information control mechanism and system development. A simulated automobile assembly line is employed for concept demonstration. Three questions will be addressed. First, how to use RFID systems to enable the real-time coordination and interaction between the production planning and execution levels to achieve the lean control of manufacturing processes. Second, how to realize the RFID-enabled smart management for typical manufacturing processes, including assembling, packaging, buffering, etc. Thirdly, how to establish a real-time information infrastructure to integrated the typical RFID-enabled smart processes.