Smartrac at LogiMAT: Green Tags, Sensors, Solutions for Industry 4.0

At this year’s LogiMAT show in Stuttgart, Germany, Smartrac Technology Group is displaying a wide range of innovations including a small and robust NFC glass tag and many other new high-performance inlays and sensors; its comprehensive Green Tag program; and applications for the Industrial Internet of Things.
 
In Hall 4, booth B09, the RFID and IoT pacesetter is presenting a mix of innovations that are focused on Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management and hence very relevant to LogiMAT visitors.
 
At the tradeshow, Smartrac will premier ‘Glass Tag NFC’, its new NFC product. Thanks to its robust design, high performance and extremely small form factor, this NFC tag now significantly enlarges the scope of embedded tagging to a wider range of materials, products, and ultimately many industry segments. Glass Tag NFC also extends the range of applications into areas such as product authentication, brand protection, customer experience, and customer loyalty.
 
In addition to the new Glass Tag NFC, the RFID and IoT pacesetter is showcasing its recently expanded range of Maxdura hard tags, responding to the needs of automotive and many other industrial customers for robust, high-temperature resistant RAIN RFID (UHF) tags perfectly suited for example to industrial asset tracking. Available in different form factors, and utilizing integrated circuits from leading chip manufacturers, these new hard tags, for example, can follow a car chassis through the entire production process, including being baked repeatedly at high temperatures in the paint shop. The new products complement Smartrac’s existing UHF portfolio and are based around a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design in a robust housing attachable to any metal surface.
 
One other focus at the event is Smartrac’s sensor inlays and tags portfolio. With a growing number of antenna choices and sensor ICs, these RAIN RFID (UHF) inlays provide flexible, state-of-the-art solutions, for instance, to accurately measure moisture and temperature conditions in a wide range of applications.
 
These sensor products are in particular focus, as IC supplier and sensing specialist Axzon Inc. (formerly RFMicron Inc.) and Smartrac recently launched their cooperation and announced a strategic partnership. Its aim is to jointly develop and market innovative, passive RFID-based sensor technology for major industrial segments such as smart packaging, logistics, healthcare, automotive, supply chain management, and many others.

Smartrac is also demonstrating the latest advances in its recently announced Green Tag program. In addition to its existing commitment to minimize the ecological impact of its manufacturing processes, the company will manufacture RFID products that live up to their sustainability promise even under strict Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) scrutiny. With that in mind, Smartrac’s Green Tags meet rigorous criteria, such as the use of recyclable or compostable paper as the substrate and heavy metal-free antennas. In addition, a Life Cycle Assessment according to ISO 14040/44 is published for each Green Tag. In order to offer a multitude of sustainable Green Tags at competitive prices, Smartrac is currently introducing new technologies and processes for optimized productivity and quality control.
 
Besides showcasing a selection of its Industry 4.0 related transponders, Smartrac provides insights into its portfolio of solutions to make supply chains ever more efficient and cost-effective. Visitors can explore the latest NFC-based industrial applications related to product authentication, brand protection, and tamper evidence. Showcased by its solutions partner Temera at the Smartrac stand, tradeshow attendees can also learn how RFID middleware can provide valuable insights into the supply chain and manufacturing processes.
 
“At LogiMAT 2019, we are presenting a broad range of our innovative capacity. No matter if companies want to meet the challenges or leverage the opportunities of Industry 4.0 with improved efficiency or enhanced sustainability, Smartrac’s product and solution portfolios provide the right answers,” said Patrick Eichstädt, VP sales EMEA, at Smartrac.