Meat processing plant benefits from RF tag system
August 2001
Data Acquisition & Telemetry
One of the largest local meat processing companies recently approached one of Escort Memory Systems' distributors in order to improve its product tracking process. Bar coding was out of the question, since the processes involved intense heat and extended refrigerated periods.
The processed meat is packed in stainless steel metal tubes which are stacked on a mobile rack for easy transport from the blast area to the smoke house to the cooler room, and then off to be sterilised in temperatures exceeding 100°C. With 250 racks in one plant it is crucial for the end user to know exactly each racks location and stage in the meat processing cycle.
It is also of great importance that the end-user too has accurate weight information, since throughout the process packaged meat is susceptible to moisture loss, which will affect volumes and profits. In order to monitor weights and quantities, the end-user used a manual written process. A cardboard checklist was attached to the rack and each time the rack was re-weighed, someone manually had to write the weight on each card. This process was both time-consuming and open to human error. If the tracking card is misplaced, the entire rack of processed meat must be destroyed, since the 'best before' date of processed meat is crucial for safe consumption.
The end-user required an identification and tracking device with the following characteristics:
* Provide instant product identification and stage of processing information.
* Accurate and rugged tracking devices that are easy to operate.
* Tracking devices able to withstand quick cool-down temperatures to -40°C and extended cool temperatures over long periods of time.
* Tracking devices able to withstand intense heat sterilisation process with temperatures exceeding 100°C.
The EMS distributor analysed the end-user requirements and recommended Escort Memory Systems' radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment. A durable and reliable tracking system capable of tracking sausages and a variety of sandwich meats going through the various stages of processing. The end-user chose the HMS814-PC2000 portable handheld reader/writer and the HMS150HT (high temperature) read/write tags.
Low profile, HMS150HT tags are mounted onto the mobile racks and are scanned by a handheld HMS814-PC2000 reader/writer. Rack location, meat type and weight data is transferred from the HMS814-PC2000 to the tag.
The benefits in adopting Escort Memory Systems' RFID products for the end-user are considerable:
p* The HMS150HT tags are able to withstand the high and low-temperature requirements (bar code labels could never withstand the rack sterilisation process or the refrigerated storage area).
* Reduce moisture loss from the processed meats.
* Provide exact meat location and type of meat information.
* Determine shipping order of meats based on tracking the 'best before' dates.
* Tags are reusable, unlike bar coding in which the label usually leaves the factory attached to the product.
The meat processor is currently examining EMS products for three additional areas of their plant.
Escort Memory Systems
(031) 564 2542
[email protected]
www.ems-rfid.com
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