improved production flexibility and quality, reduced scrap and labor costs, and lower recall costs due to product traceability. The entire manufacturing history of an engine or transmission is recorded on a tag, and is offloaded into a computer server prior to recirculation of the tag and pallet, Paskell notes. This means that if a problem occurs, Ford can use this data to identify only those products or vehicles that have the problem, avoiding more widespread recalls.

 For more information, search keywords “ RFID” and “ track-and-trace” at www.automationworld.com.

Web Extra: Click on  “Podcasts” under Tools & Resources at www.automationworld.com, to download or listen to an Automation World interview with Michael Liard, RFID practice director, at ABI Research, Oyster Bay, N.Y., on the outlook for industrial RFID.