November 01, 2008
RFID and the tire industry
The inventory tracking and management tool can be a time saver
By: Matt Strong
Easy steps
In actuality, the entire process of scanning and gathering data is simple, far simpler than any manual system, and it will be much more accurate by limiting how much the tire technician has to do.
If the system operates correctly, the following would be a typical medium tire fleet inspection using both the Fast Check and scanner.
* The tire tech would come to the vehicle with the scanner and Fast Check probe in hand, plus a PDA.
* The first thing he would do is enter the name of the fleet, the truck or trailer number and the first tire ID number via the RFID scanner. The scanner is designed so it works between dual mounted tires.
* Using the Fast Check with a Bluetooth probe, he would then measure tire tread depth and tire pressure, automatically sending this information to the PDA. The Fast Check probe operates between the tread blocks or ribs.
* With a simple click, he would then do the next tire until all 18 or so tires are scanned. If OTR, mining or agricultural tires are being scanned, the OTR Fast Check system includes an integral RFID scanner so only one tool is required in addition to the PDA.
The technician would do this for each tire on the vehicle and then service the next truck and/or trailer. Once the entire fleet of vehicles at this location is completely inspected, he could download the information from his PDA to his laptop, either using Bluetooth technology or attaching it via cable.
Once the information is in a computer, reports can be printed. They include graphic representations of various factors, such as tire brands, mileage and tire pressure, etc.
The tire tech also could check and verify all tires in the scrap pile, as well as any inventory the fleet has at the time.
A retail dealer is faced with a different situation. The dealer can use a simple scanner/reader when checking in tires, when looking for a specific tire and when mounting or demounting tires with the RFID transponder installed.
If he adds the customer contact info and mileage, he can control his own database.
Tire techs at the retail location would read the tire transponder when installing or removing tires. And if he’s just inspecting it while the tire is still mounted for an annual rotation or change to winter tires, that information and mileage also could be integrated into the database.
Using this system is far easier than understanding the technology itself. It is a giant leap forward, but it is not without perils and issues, as mentioned.
Keep posted to Modern Tire Dealer, as this topic will be revisited when news from OE tire manufacturers, Advanced ID or other suppliers making a commitment to the tire industry becomes available.
Matt Strong is a 30-plus year tire and automotive industry veteran. Throughout his career, he has managed marketing activities for a global tire manufacturer, operated a large tire retail/wholesale business, worked in tire and automotive public relations, competed in numerous drag and road racing events, and has contributed a number of articles to Modern Tire Dealer magazine.
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