PALLET SOLUTIONS

Lantech Offers RFID Tag Reading Option on Wrappers

Lantech (www.lantech.com) introduced RFID tag-reading capability as a standard option on all its semiautomatic pallet stretch wrappers. The company demonstrated a working system at Pack Expo on a Q-300 semiautomatic stretch wrapper utilizing Symbol Technology's new RD5000 portable reader. Capable of reading Gen 1 and 2 tags, the battery-powered system can read tags at the pallet or case level.

"We are now offering this system as a standard option on all our turntable stretch wrapping systems, and will migrate quickly to our overhead straddle stretch wrappers as well," says William Caudill, Lantech's Marketing Manager for automatic stretch wrapping products. "The portable and wireless RD5000 is the most elegant, hands-off RFID solution currently available for this application. As a simple drop-in option, it eliminates all brackets, cables, external antenna, and any interface to the machine or control system, working independently of the machine with its own motion-sensing."

The compact reader measures just 7" x 9" x 2" (LWH) and weighs less than four pounds. Although it is battery operated, Caudill says the system can be wired to the machine's power supply as a customer option. The RD5000's integrated wireless LAN is compliant with 802.11a/b/g standards, allowing it to communicate with any standard WiFi network. The unit is sealed to an IP66 rating against water jets and dust, and runs under the Windows™ CE operating system for robust application support.

"Our development machines with the reader mounted on the film delivery system have proven that stretch wrappers have a natural advantage in tag reading by repeatedly exposing five sides of a pallet load to the reader's antenna," added Caudill. "The wireless, portable design of this unit makes it a great retrofit solution, too, because there is no interface or power connection of any kind between the stretch wrapper and the RFID reader."

Lantech's economical Q-300 semi-automatic stretch wrapping system is an ideal RFID-development machine, with capability for processing 25-35 loads per hour up to 2 m (80") tall and weighing up to 1814 kg (4000 lb). The machine's electronically controlled, variable wrap force and 200% pre-stretch on the film ensure consistent, tight loads with economical use of film, reduced labor and improved ergonomics. Pre-stretch up to 300% is available as an option. The Q-Series of turntable stretch wrapping systems also includes low-cost automatic models for affordable automation, and high-speed automatic models designed for high throughput or fully automatic operations.