RFID

(Radio Frequency Identification Device)

1
 What is RFID?
• RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Device. It is
an automatic identification technology whereby digital data
encoded in an RFID tag or Smart label is captured by a reader
using radio waves.
• RFID is a wireless communication technology that is used in
physical markers (RFID tags) to mark products.
• In simpler terms, it is similar to bar code technology but uses
radio waves to capture data from tags, rather than optically
scanning the bar codes on a label.
• It does not require the tag or label to be seen to read its stored
data. It is one of the key characteristics of RFID system.

2
 RFID consists of ???
• RFID systems consist of three basic
components:
A tag (also called a transponder),
An interrogator (a reader or a read/write device)
and
A controller (a host).

3
RFID consists of ???

4
 How RFID works?
• RFID tags consist of an integrated circuit (IC) attached to an
antenna, i.e. typically a small coil of wires covered with some
protective packaging (like a plastic card) as determined by the
application requirements.
• Data is stored in the IC and transmitted through the antenna to
a reader.
• RFID tags are either Passive(no battery) or Active(self-
powered by a battery). Tags also can be read-only(i.e. stored
data can be read but not changed) or read/write (stored data
can be altered or rewritten), or a combination, in which some
data is permanently stored while other memory is left
accessible for later encoding and updates.
5
 How RFID works?
• A reader is basically a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter and
receiver, controlled by a microprocessor or digital signal
processor.
• The reader captures the data from tags with help of antenna, and
then transfers the data to computer for processing.
• Readers can be affixed in a stationary position (for example,
beside a conveyor belt in a factory or dock doors in a warehouse)
or portable (integrated into a mobile computer that also might be
used for scanning bar codes).
• The reader in turn sends the data to the processor and determines
the actions to be performed.
• Once the process is over, the processor sends an acknowledgment
signal to the tag stating the completion of the operation.

6
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Product Tracking System
• Tracking of Labor Movement
• Fabric Lot Storage and Retrieval
• Garment Washing and Laundering
• Merchandise Leveling Across Stores
• Easy Product Accessibility in Retail Stores
• Exchange Goods Inventory Control
• Customer-Specific Shopping Reminders and Promotions
• Re-Stocking Alerts and Replenishment

7
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Product Tracking System
In spinning industry it is used to avoid product mix, which is one
of the prevailing problems faced in the quality control
department. The areas such as carding, drawing and combing
(sliver can hank mix-up), simplex (bobbin mix-up), ring
spinning (cop mix-up) can be avoided by placing the tag in the
corresponding semi-finished materials.

8
9
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Tracking of Labor Movement
Knowing where an employee is at a particular time would allow the
management to dispatch the closest-qualified employee to a location
requiring assistance. If an RFID reader detects an RFID-tagged employee
approaching a security door, the door could be designed to open
automatically. This would allow employees carrying packages or carts to
move more efficiently. Additionally, if store management could verify
through an automated system that an employee was at the appropriate
station at the start of the shift or end of a break, some aspects of labour
management could be automated, requiring less effort by employees and
the management. This type of monitoring would also allow the
management to know, for instance, if an employee spends excessive time
in the break room or if he/she is not getting enough break time. Reports
could be generated automatically to flag exceptions for management
attention.
10
 The applications of RFID in textile and apparel
industries
• Fabric Lot Storage and Retrieval
Due to limited machine capacity in a wet processing unit, a fabric order may
require many number of lots, each lot will be having their own shades. In
this process, it is mandatory to bring each lot up to the garment stitching
process in order to control the shade variations and product mix up. An
Italian textile manufacturer, Griva, has applied RFID tags as a part of a
new system to control production units and stock-rooms. The tags are
attached to the outside parts of cores of rolls with fabric. This has several
advantages.
Firstly, the process of fabric stock-taking in stockrooms is much more
effective.
Secondly, the effectiveness of all production and storage processes is higher.
Moreover, it enables tracking a given object at every stage of its
production process.
Finally, Griva achieved a return on its RFID investment within nine months.

11
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Garment Washing and Laundering
The normal RFID tags are not launderable and also it is not possible to tag
the garment using barcodes in the process of washing and laundering. For
this purpose, a German company which makes RFID tags, KSW
Microtec, has unveiled two new labels. One can be ironed or sewn
directly onto the fabric of a garment. The other is mounted on a polyester
substrate and sewn onto a garment. The new flexible 13.56 MHz labels
can withstand temperatures of up to 40C. They have a life-expectancy of
10 years and are not affected by tumble-drying, ironing processes. KSW
is also working on a label that can withstand temperatures of up to 60C.
The company wants to apply its technology to tag uniforms for the US
army. Texas Instruments plans to offer its customers an RFID tagging
system in a form of plastic rings that can be sewn or stuck onto a garment
cleaned in factory laundries.

12
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Merchandise Leveling Across Stores
Some stores require customers to leave merchandise that they are
carrying at a desk or provide evidence of purchase. However,
if a store has RFID readers and RFID-tagged merchandise,
shoppers could avoid this step. Instead, at checkout, the
readers would charge customers only for items with tags that
indicate that they were not already paid for.

13
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Easy Product Accessibility in Retail Stores
By using RFID, shop sellers can identify the exact location of
any retail item at any time. Customer requests can be handled
quickly and easily by your customer service team through
access to a centralised database. RFID-tagged items offer
store-to-store visibility, so items can be located immediately
with the touch of a button. This level of product accessibility
results in shorter wait times for customers and offers a better
shopping experience. Improving overall store efficiencies
ultimately results in greater savings to customers.

14
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Exchange Goods Inventory Control
When any apparel product is returned or exchanged, its RFID tag
could be read and automatically added to the inventory
database. Employees who do re-stocking could read the RFID
for returned items; they could be given information about
where to place them (that is, the appropriate shelf if the item is
not defective, or a particular area in shipping for returning to
the vendor if the item is defective). An application could
automatically compare the RFID code of the returned item
against recall notifications.

15
 The applications of RFID in textile and apparel
industries
• Customer-Specific Shopping Reminders and Promotions
With RFID on loyalty cards to identify the customer, and a customer
shopping-history database, items could be priced differently depending on
the characteristics of the shopper (eg, special promotions for first-time
shoppers and rewards for frequent shoppers). Different promotions could
be offered to different customers via their personal digital assistants or cell
phone displays, at kiosks (Information Booth), and by employees receiving
price on their point-of-sale terminals. Additionally, if customers have
submitted their profiles to the store, they could be reminded of upcoming
events such as birthdays, and have purchases suggested to them. These can
be added on to the loyalty cards which already exist at places like
Shopper’s Stop, Wills Lifestyle, etc, and it can be centralised to all the
stores in different cities so that customers get similar welcome whether
they are in dhaka or london or new york.

16
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Re-Stocking Alerts and Replenishment
Products are monitored to ensure that they remain
stocked at appropriate levels. When they fall below
that level, an alert is sent to the stockroom or office to
bring out or order more merchandise. For stores with
stockrooms, RFID monitoring alerts employees when
stock levels reach the threshold. For example, if many
black trousers of waist 32-size are being sold and are
getting out of stock, RFID can send an alarm to order
more such trousers from the storeroom.

17
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Accurate data: The use of RFID helps in
maintaining up-to-date data regarding various
products, spare parts, and processes. Highly
accurate data is available as and when
required. RFID enables one to obtain the
necessary data about a person, product or
asset, as and when required.

18
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Efficient decision making: A study of the processes of
production and the pattern of sales can be done using the data
collected by employing RFID. Unnecessary processes can be
identified and eliminated. If any process is taking more time
than it should, the reasons behind it can be determined and
problems, if any, can be eliminated. Similarly, if the demand
for any product is very less, a decision might be taken not to
stock it at all or to stock it in a lesser quantity. Hence, RFID is
also helpful in making efficient decisions, ultimately saving
cost and increasing the profitability of the organization.

19
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Ease in inventory control: Accurate data about all the
material that comes into a warehouse and goes out of is
available through the use of RFID. Similar is the case with a
retail outlet. Hence, stock can be replenished as soon as it is
exhausted. Out-of-stock situations can be reduced, thereby
increasing customer satisfaction and trust on the outlet.
Similarly, keeping track of capital assets also becomes simpler,
and their management also becomes easier and more effective.

20
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Reduction in supply chain errors: RFID can be used to track
the movement of the goods that go out of warehouses. In this
case, as soon as a certain goods item goes astray on the way
from the warehouse to the place of production, information
about the same can immediately be obtained at the point of
control. Wastage and theft can thus be minimized, and the
possibility of errors in the supply chain can be brought down
drastically. This, in turn, would lead to timely completion of
the production process and savings in cost.

21
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Lesser human intervention: When RFID is incorporated in
an organization, the necessary data can be collected as and
when required using a reader. The number of people required
for locating lost goods, for finding a certain product, as well as
in inventory control and management can be reduced. RFID
leads to lesser requirement of human intervention, which, in
turn, leads to considerable savings in manpower costs.

22
 The applications of RFID in textile and
apparel industries
• Efficient quality control: RFID helps in obtaining data about
the exact time when each component of the process of
production passed on to the next stage. In case of any defect in
a certain batch at a later stage, it would be possible to trace it
back to a particular worker or group of workers. Quality
control thus becomes more efficient.
Similarly, good work done can also be traced back to the
concerned worker or group of workers. They can be rewarded
accordingly. This would, in turn, boost the morale of the
workers.

23
Thanks for your patience

24