Mistelgau, Germany, September 23, 2006 --(
PR.com)-- Brooks Automation (Germany) GmbH and the system integrator Avanade deliver their RFID Reader System to Singapore. The South-East Asian distributor and supplier of automation components Intermech Machinery has decided on this RFID solution to improve the efficiency of its new production plant in Tuas, Singapore. The RFID system enables more efficient assessment of the current stand of production and the inventory and considerably reduces the costs of completing orders.
In their new trade building Intermech Machinery is one of the first companies in the automation field to rely fully on RFID technology. The hardware supplied by Brooks is meant to automate stocktaking in the new plant and provide optimum help. The RFID Reader System reduces material losses by up to 50% and raises the productivity of the plant by up to 40%. Brooks Long Range Readers were chosen for their extremely wide availability and guaranteed reliability of readings even under extreme environmental conditions. In a test phase at temperatures of 60°C and 80% relative humidity many another reading system “ran out of steam” after just a few days.
“The field of automation has altered dramatically in the last 10 years. Whereas customers used to be happy with a delivery period of one to two months, now they demand the same result in less than one week,” says KH Ong, Managing Director of Intermech Machinery. At exactly this point Brooks RFID Reader System should help to create better management processes for the current inventory. That leads to both savings in costs and increases in production.
Intermech Machinery's large, new factory, over 5,000 square metres in Singapore, is equipped with the most up-to-date wireless technology. Both the building components which go into production and the warehouse itself are fitted with RFID components. So-named “smart shelves” ascertain the stock of goods and so help to prevent possible bottle necks in supplies. All the items for sheeting are marked with a transponder to make clear identification and sorting possible at any time.
The “smart shelves” are each equipped with a new Brooks HF70 Long Range Reader. The Warehouse Management System (WMS) by Intermech Machinery functions as the coordinator of the whole system. At regular intervals it activates the RFID Reader and initiates the inspection of the inventory for completeness and correctness. The data read is sent back immediately by radio to the WMS. Personnel thus receive a genuine insight into the stock of material.
Even the individual building components are followed with precision on their way through production. With the help of the wireless, portable reader “Scan_ID” personnel scan all the items used for an order. Scan_ID sends the information via wireless LAN direct to the WMS, which shows the current stock in real time. This method allows Intermech Machinery to keep strictly to the principle of first in, first out (FIFO).
About Brooks Automation
Brooks Automation (Germany) GmbH is a subsidiary of the American Brooks Automation Inc., Chelmsford, (MA). Brooks employs 2,400 persons world-wide and in the last fiscal year had a turnover of US$ 464 million. The company (Nasdaq: BRKS) delivers total automation to the semiconductor and related industries.
Since 1994, the RFID division is developing and producing RFID systems that meet the highest standards in quality, safety and reliability. The range of products includes mobile and stationary readers with LF (134.2kHz) and HF (13.56MHz) frequency ranges together with extensive accessories.
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