Ever since the advent of RFID, we have seen a remarkable improvement in asset tracking & inventory management. This seemingly simple but useful technology has allowed business owners to automate non-productive tasks like stock management and control, security, etc. There is one very interesting type of this item, called the mount on-metal tag. These types of tags are specially designed to go onto metal surfaces.
So, if you must deal with an issue dealing with tagging metal surfaces, you should give this blog a read.
What are Mount On-Metal Tags?
These are special types of tags, that are specifically tailored to be compatible with disturbance-causing surfaces. As the name suggests, RFID mount on-metal tags are made to go along with metallic surfaces. This is due to the material properties of metals. According to Faraday’s law of induction, whenever a metal disturbs an electromagnetic field, it induces eddy currents into that circuit.
So, when you place a normal RFID tag on a metal surface, these eddy currents start to cause issues like signal disruption and detuning. In addition, the metal surface sometimes absorbs the radio signals emitted by the RFID reader. Well, that’s enough science mumbo-jumbo for now, let’s check out the practical aspects of these tags.
What are the Suitable Applications of Mount On-Metal Tags?
As we discussed above, the greatest benefit of Mount On-Metal tags is their invulnerability to metal surfaces. In addition, these tags often come inside a protective coating, to make them resistant to damage and hot temperatures. So, any business where you need to attach RFID tags on a metal surface or in an extreme environment is an ideal place for these tags. For example,
(A). Automobile Manufacturing
(B). Healthcare
(C). Electronics
(D). Fuel/Energy Pipelines
Classifications of Mount On-Metal Tags
The essential principle and objective behind all mount on-metal tags are the same. However, we differentiate them based on their mounting methods. There are several ways to attach a Mount On-Metal RFID tag to your items. From sticking, and printing to welding. So, let’s discuss these tags.
Hard Tags
These tags have a hard protective coating on the outside. This protects the RFID inlay from harmful materials like chemicals and dust, it also makes it highly resistant to damage and extreme temperatures. These tags can be mounted in a variety of ways, you can weld them, screw them or use an adhesive to attach them to an item. For example – UHF Mount On-Metal Hard Tag.
Magnetic Tags
As the name suggests, these tags can be attached to surfaces using small permanent magnets. The benefit of using such tags is that they do not damage the surface of the tag or the item. And these tags usually have an alternative means of attachment. For example – Small UHF PCB Tag.
Embeddable Tags
These tags are small and can be embedded in items like screws, or inside them. This gives the tag added protection against the elements. In addition, these can also be secured more firmly using epoxy. For example - Micro UHF Ceramic Metal Tag.
How to Select the Best One for You?
The wide applications of Mount On-Metal RFID tags in industries have led to manufacturers developing a vast selection of these products. So, it’s best that you carefully assess the pros and cons of them all to select the best for you.
Environmental Hazards
The environment inside business premises can vary vastly, depending on the nature of the business. For example, warehouses are only used for storing finished products, and the worst environmental damage you can face there is dust. But, in automobile manufacturing, the tags will have to face physical and chemical damage, in addition to high temperatures.
You may also have to consider the climate of the region where your facility resides. For example, if your business is in a moist climate, it is best to use hard tags or embeddable tags secured in epoxy. This helps the RFID tags resist moisture damage and rust.
Product Surface
Another thing to keep in mind is the product itself. The surfaces of your products might vary depending on the material used or even its shape or texture. For example, in the case of a product with curved surfaces like a pipeline, it’s best to use Printable tags, as these are very flexible. Or you can use a mini screw embeddable tag, on one of the rivets.
RFID Tag Lifespan
Lastly, before implementing an RFID system, you need to decide the period for which the tag is going to be used. And the operation lifespan of these tags. When it comes to a passive RFID Tag, as long as it’s not damaged, it can last virtually forever.
You also need to remember that certain tags like welded hard tags or epoxy-secured embeddable tags cannot be removed once mounted.
Conclusion
Mount On-Metal Tags are widely used in a variety of industries in the present. They have become very popular with clients, due to their immunity to distortions caused by metal surfaces. If you have a product with such a surface, then these tags are the best option for you to implement a successful asset-tracking system.
Mount On-Metal Tags FAQ:
Q1. What are the factors to consider when selecting an RFID tag?
There are several factors one must keep in mind while selecting the right RFID tag for one’s business. So, let’s check out the most important ones.
(A). Size of your facility
(B). Value of your items
(C). Surface on which the tag must be mounted
(D). Volume of items
Q2. Can RFID tag work on metal?
Yes, there are specialized RFID Tags that are designed to work on metal, known as the mount on-metal tags. Alternatively, you can also use low-frequency tags, they are resistant to the effect of metal surfaces on RFID systems.
Q3. What is the difference between HF and LF RFID?
HF and LF refer to the frequency ranges on which a particular tag operates. HF refers to High Frequency, they usually operate from 3 to 30 MHz. LF means Low Frequency, they usually operate from 30 to 300 KHz.
Q4. What are the two types of tags in use today in RFID?
RFID systems can make use of two types of tags – Active & Passive. Active tags have an internal power supply they use to broadcast signals. While passive tags use the energy from the radio signals of an RFID reader to broadcast a signal.
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