A case of implementing RFID-based real-time shop-floor material management for household electrical appliance manufacturers

  • Authors:
  • T. Qu;H. D. Yang;George Q. Huang;Y. F. Zhang;H. Luo;W. Qin

  • Affiliations:
  • Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China;College of Automation Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China;Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China;Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China and Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturin ...;Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China;Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies provide automatic and accurate object data capturing capability and enable real-time object visibility and traceability. Potential benefits have been widely reported for improving manufacturing shop-floor management. However, reports on how such potentials come true in real-life shop-floor daily operations are very limited. As a result, skeptics overwhelm enthusiasm. This paper contributes to the re-vitalization of RFID efforts in manufacturing industries by presenting a real-life case study of applying RFID for managing material distribution in a complex assembly shop-floor at a large air conditioner manufacturer. The case study discusses how technical, social and organizational issues have been addressed throughout the project within the company. It is hoped that insights and lessons gained be generalized for future efforts across household electrical appliance manufacturers that share similar shop-floor.