RFID Assisted smart conveyor system with industrial robot hand

Abstract

In ~his ~aper a prototype smart conveyor system is developed with the integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and a robot hand for product handling in a manufacturing environment. A novel Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) with customer based production is introduced using web-services techno.'ogy and a real-time updatable inventory database to enhance operational efficiency of the manufacturing environment. The FMS designed is a fully automated system with RFID tags/detectors, intelligent control systems, robot arms and sorting mechanisms, smart conveyor system and a real time updatable inventory database with application software. This study demonstrates the significance and benefits of a sr:zart conveyor sys~em with the integration of RFlD technology for product identification and handling, specifically tn the manufacturing industry.