Automotive production logistics process based on RFID technology

5.3.1 Optimizing design for automotive production logistics process

As shown in Figure 4.5: First, each station is equipped with a reader and an electronic dynamic screen, and each part is attached with an identifiable electronic label. The dynamic screen displays the process flow and material information of the station in real time. Therefore, the on-site staff can clearly understand the current operation of the station through the screen and complete the processing of the parts according to its prompts. After that, hold the reader and write the production operation information of this process into the electronic tag. Through the statistics of label information, the enterprise information system can track the production status and material consumption information of each station in real time, and intuitively match the required accessories with the required stations, which is convenient for the material department to distribute. The important part of optimizing production logistics management is processing procedure control and auxiliary material management.^[34]

Fig. 5.5 Auto production logistics process based on RFID technology

(1) Process control

The processing procedure control flow is shown in Figure 4.6. When the product in the assembly process arrives at a certain station, the station's reader/writer automatically reads the data in the RFID tag, and the staff obtains information such as material distribution, product quality and processing requirements. After processing in accordance with the requirements, the processing information will be written into the label and transmitted to the central computer operating system via the network to collect the on-site data of the production line. If an abnormal situation occurs, it can be discovered in time. Once there is a deviation, it can be automatically analyzed immediately to provide reasonable Alternate solution. On the one hand, it can effectively prevent manual operations from failing to find errors in time. On the other hand, it can also quickly solve problems when errors occur and avoid production line shutdowns.

At the same time, the control of the processing procedure can strengthen the quality management of raw materials and spare parts: through RFID automatic identification technology, when the mixed spare parts in the mixed equipment are identified, if the added materials do not meet the processing requirements of the production line, an automatic alarm will be issued. Then suspend the production line to avoid unnecessary production errors; in addition, every time a process is completed, the semi-finished products are automatically identified and sorted. Only semi-finished products that pass the inspection can be processed in the next process, which fundamentally prevents unqualified products from entering the market. After analyzing the defective product rate of each process, a certain point where more defective products appear can be located, which is beneficial to the improvement of the production process.

Fig.5.6 Process control based on RFID technology

(2) Auxiliary material management process

In the auxiliary material management, all parts are stored on the shelf, and the material box is transported by a conveyor belt, and the box is affixed with RFID tags to mark the parts in the box. According to needs, the shelf storage area can be divided into several small areas, and each small area is equipped with two secondary material conveyor belts.

One is the conveyor belt from the main line to the auxiliary line, and the other is the conveyor belt from the auxiliary line into the main line, and the auxiliary line accessory areas are connected by the main line conveyor belt. Set up a reader at each fork of the conveyor belt, read the EPC code on the passing box, automatically determine whether the box should enter or skip the secondary line, thereby generating route instructions, and picking up according to the ordering instructions. The process is shown in Figure 5.7.

Fig.5.7 Auxiliary material management process based on RFID technology

5.3.2 Functional advantages compared with traditional automotive production logistics management Through the automatic identification and tracking of items flowing in the entire production line, and real-time capture of production status and material consumption, you can prepare for problems that may occur in production, reduce labor costs and error rates, and improve production efficiency and corporate benefits. It is embodied in the following aspects:

(1) Inquiry about the execution and completion of orders

Through the identification of the electronic tags of the items in each process, the working status of the production line can be obtained in time, and it is clear how many finished products have been manufactured and how many materials are processed in which process. Based on the order execution and completion information, the delivery date can be predicted, and reasonable production in the later period can be arranged.

(2) Production progress tracking and control

Based on the understanding of the order execution and completion status, examine whether the current production schedule is reasonable, and provide information to support schedule adjustment when it is unreasonable. The production schedule control is more flexible. On the one hand, timely delivery must be ensured; on the other hand, the production capacity of the production line must be considered, and the production line must be stable and balanced. This logistics management system can also allow to know the inventory level at any time, and send replenishment information according to the production progress, respond to other companies quickly.

(3) Production quality control

In the production process, the information of the person responsible for the operation is written into the electronic label. Once there is a quality problem, it is convenient for the product to be traced to a certain worker in a certain link, strengthen responsibility management, and reduce waste. In addition, each production link is automatically sorted to prevent unqualified products from flowing into the next process and strengthen the control of product quality.

(4) Improve production automation level

The application of RFID technology in the production process can guide the workers on the production line to operate correctly according to the processing requirements on the electronic tags. The system automatically collects and counts product and material data, identifies and tracks the materials, accurately locates the production process and operators, which improves the level of automated production.