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Posted by on January 24, 2008, 3:47 am
> RFID would be better than a bar code... http://www.allaura.com/tool-tracki=
ng.cfm
I was a bit surprised to see that article touting RFID for tools. I
had read that Metal creats problems with using RFID. But I just
googled for RFID and Metal, and got the following articles that say it
is viable, as long as there is some consideration for the metal. So,
there are RFID tags that will work when attached to metal. But, I
don't think the RFID tags can be read if they are inside a metal tool
box. I imagine tool tracking is a common request, so the experts
should be able to advise you.
Here are the articles I came across...
http://www.usingrfid.com/features/read.asp?id=3D24
http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/rfid/faqs/tag_application_performa=
nce_different_products_surfaces.html
http://www.rfidnews.org/weblog/2006/10/27/savr-partners-with-holt-cat-rfid-f=
or-tools-in-the-game-plan/
Joe Dunfee
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Posted by Matt M. on January 25, 2008, 12:03 pm
On Jan 24, 12:47=A0am, cadco...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> > RFID would be better than a bar code...http://www.allaura.com/tool-track=
ing.cfm
>
> I was a bit surprised to see that article touting RFID for tools. =A0I
> had read that Metal creats problems with using RFID. =A0But I just
> googled for RFID and Metal, and got the following articles that say it
> is viable, as long as there is some consideration for the metal. =A0So,
> there are RFID tags that will work when attached to metal. But, I
> don't think the RFID tags can be read if they are inside a metal tool
> box. =A0I imagine tool tracking is a common request, so the experts
> should be able to advise you.
>
> Here are the articles I came across...
>
> http://www.usingrfid.com/features/read.asp?id=3D24
>
> http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/rfid/faqs/tag_application_p...
>
> http://www.rfidnews.org/weblog/2006/10/27/savr-partners-with-holt-cat...
>
> Joe Dunfee
You are right. RFID is not a complete solution for theft prevention
because it can be defeated by a Faraday Cage.
The metal toolbox that you are talking about is a Faraday Cage.
At the least, we can use the RFID to do basic tool tracking and
cataloging.
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Posted by on January 26, 2008, 11:28 am
> I need to put in place a tool tracking solution at my construction
> project.
Here are a few more thoughts, but they are untested;
RFID could still be a good way to hunt for a missing tool. There are
RFID keychain finders available now that have a reasonable range.
(many RFID systems work in the range of a few inches). The long range
ones normally require a battery in the tag. If I recall, the battery
in the key chain tag lasted about 3 mos, but more industrial versions
last over a year. Sorry, I can't find the article about the key-chain
finder. but I just Googled and found this article;
http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/14/rfid-prevents-power-tool-theft/
I wonder if weight would be a good way to track tools. If they are on
rolling boxes, then rolling it over a scale should give you an
indication of if something were missing.
A way to visually track if a tool is missing is to make a mark where
they go. for example on a peg-board, with the tool in place, trace
around the tool with a marker. Then you can easily see where it goes,
or if something is missing. Of course, you need to keep it updated...
the problem is how to erase the mark for a tool you no longer have.
Perhaps an easier way is to glue hangers for each tool, and mark the
name of the tool with a sticker on top of the hook. Then an empty
hanger indicates a missing tool.
For tools that can't be hung, or in drawers in a tool box, place a
sheet of foam in the drawer. Lay the tools in an orderly way on the
foam, and trace around them. Then cut out the foam to form a place to
hold the tool. Remove the foam and glue a sheet of cardboard to form a
bottom to the pocket, so that small tools don't slide underneath the
foam.
I must be in the mood to ramble. Anyway, let everyone know your
solution.
Joe Dunfee
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Posted by on January 30, 2008, 8:20 pm
I found the key-chain finder I was refering to;
http://www.loc8tor.com
The "lite" version is $80, 400ft range. Comes with two tags, and can
register up to 4 tags.
The next step up is $100 and has 600ft range, two tags, can register
up to 7 tags.
Extra tags are $45 for two.
I am puzzled why the units are so limited in the number of tags they
can register. They should be able to handle hundreds! The tags need
button batteries, which can last 9mos if the tracker is used once a
day. They measure about 3/4"x1 1/4"x1/4".
For tool theft, the thief can just remove the tag, but it might be
viable to put the tags inside some tools like cordless drills. But
that would make battery replacement a problem. Maybe you can hack it
by putting in a much larger battery, such as 2 AAA's and wiring them
to the tag.
Joe Dunfee
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Posted by PeterD on January 31, 2008, 9:18 am
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:20:38 -0800 (PST), cadcoke4@yahoo.com wrote:
>I found the key-chain finder I was refering to;
>
>http://www.loc8tor.com
>
>The "lite" version is $80, 400ft range. Comes with two tags, and can
>register up to 4 tags.
>
>The next step up is $100 and has 600ft range, two tags, can register
>up to 7 tags.
>
>Extra tags are $45 for two.
>
>I am puzzled why the units are so limited in the number of tags they
>can register. They should be able to handle hundreds! The tags need
>button batteries, which can last 9mos if the tracker is used once a
>day. They measure about 3/4"x1 1/4"x1/4".
>
>For tool theft, the thief can just remove the tag, but it might be
>viable to put the tags inside some tools like cordless drills. But
>that would make battery replacement a problem. Maybe you can hack it
>by putting in a much larger battery, such as 2 AAA's and wiring them
>to the tag.
>
For cordless tools, you could perhaps setup the system so the tag is
powered both from an internal rechargable batter, and the tool's
battery (which also recharges the tag's battery). That way you'd
probalby never need to replace the battery, and the tools battery
would have to have been removed for a long time beofre the tag stopped
functioning.
As to the limits on the number of tags, I'd say contact the seller and
tell them what you need, I'm sure they'll have a system that works for
you.
>Joe Dunfee
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