Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
A.P. Munnikes An intelligent conveyor belt with RFID
Literature survey, Report 2005.TL.6987, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
In this paper the possibilities of a new intelligent conveyor belt with RFID are discussed.
In most companies the conveyor belt is monitored very closely with all kind of different methods. The question rises if there could be a new intelligent conveyor belt with all the functions integrated within one system. This new system could be based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. At the moment it looks like it is possible to integrate a lot of functions:
identification of the belt belt rip detection temperature measurement vibration recognition
speed of the belt measurement
tension in the belt and pressure on the belt detect the level of wear of the belt
The integration of small RFID tags in the conveyor belt does not seem problematical, the RFID tags can be glued into the conveyor belt. However, there must be payed attention to the thickness of the RFID tag, this may not exceed 50% of the thickness of the belt in where it is integrated. For the RFID chip a company with RFID and sensor knowledge has to be approached. The sensors have to be combined with the RFID technology and a small epoxy cover. This is possible, other companies are already using it, but it is not common so most RFID companies don't have any experience with it.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
