2. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
1
1. Introduction & Vision Project EPAL RFID System
2. Project organisation
3. The EPAL RFID System
4. Pallet tagging
5. Summary
Agenda
4. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 3
EPAL RFID SYSTEM vision
Every EPAL pallet
can be uniquely identified
Opens up new opportunities in Supply Chain
Management for users of pallets
Partners in the pool can efficiently control and
monitor the flow and ownership of pallets
Transparency in licensees’ production- and repair processes
and authenticity of the EPAL pallet can be clearly
demonstrated at all times
5. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 4
• The European Pallet Association (EPAL) launched the “EPAL RFID
System“ project at the start of 2007. The aim of the project is to integrate
RFID technology in EPAL pallets.
• The first phase of the project phase ”functional model“ was completed at
the end of 2008 with the completion of a pilot project and demonstration of
the technical and practical feasibility.
• In the second phase of the project ”Prototype“, the definitive processes,
hardware and software components and the run costs are established.
The objective of this phase of the project is to process all the bases so
that approval for preparation or production (implementation) can be given.
Introduction
6. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 5
Potential benefits for EPAL pallet users
• Automatic identification
• Quality check on each pallet
• Management of pallets (asset management)
• Use of RFID in the overall supply chain
Potential benefits for EPAL organisation
• Reduction in administration for EPAL with automated invoicing process for
licence fees
• Worldwide transparency of EPAL licensees
• Secure high quality system for EPAL pallets
• Expected reduction in counterfeit pallets
• Expected identification of black markets
• Compliance with customer requirements
Business case and potential benefits
7. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
6
1. Introduction & Vision Project EPAL RFID System
2. Project organisation
3. The EPAL RFID System
4. Pallet tagging
5. Summary
Agenda
8. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
7
EPAL Board
EPAL working group RFID
Project team EPAL RFID System
EPAL core team
• NK Switzerland
• NK Germany
• NK Netherlands
• Railway
representatives UIC
GS1
• GS1 in Europe
• GS1 Switzerland
• GS1 Germany
Pre-roll-out
partners
• EPAL producer
• Retail
Technology
partners
• Swisscom Auto ID
• Label producers
Project organisation
9. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 8
Decision by EPAL Board
Phase I: Functional model
Completion of pilot
Phase II: Prototype
Pre-roll-out
Decision by EPAL general meeting
Phase III: Preparation for production
Phase IV: Creation of infrastructure
Start of production
Full operation
Phase 2010 2012
2011
2009
2008
2007 2013
11. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
10
1. Introduction & Vision Project EPAL RFID System
2. Project organisation
3. The EPAL RFID System
4. Pallet tagging
5. Summary
Agenda
12. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 11
EPAL
General
Secretary
Licensees
production
Testing agency
Users
Licensees
Repairs
EPAL
Information Network
National
committees
Traders
Graders
Those involved in the EPAL RFID System
13. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
12
• Every pallet is given a unique number (serial number)
• All the relevant information (events) is stored in the EPAL information
network
• The events (who/what/where/when) are generated by the licensees
and forwarded to the central EPAL application
• The RFID tag on the pallet only has a unique number stored => the
intelligence is in the network
• Different status reports on the pallets are generated in relation to the
events – these status reports are made available to the user, thus
allowing the authenticity and quality status of the pallet to be checked
The EPAL RFID System
14. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
13
Leser
Middleware
Hosted
EPCIS
Leser
EPAL
ONS
EPAL Internal
EPAL External
Leser
Middleware
Leser
EPCIS
EPAL Producer
EPAL Sorter
EPAL Repair Center
ERP
ERP
Root
ONS
Europe
Leser
Middleware
Hosted
EPCIS
Leser Leser
Middleware
Leser
Retailer
Distribution/Transporter
Industries
ERP
ERP
Leser
Middleware
Leser
EPCIS
ERP EPAL
EPCIS
Online
System
EPAL GS
National
committee
EPAL-Application
Middleware
ERP
Testing
agency
Query
Services
Local
ONS CH
• Industry ONS
• or Country ONS
15. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
14
1. Introduction & Vision Project EPAL RFID System
2. Project organisation
3. The EPAL RFID System
4. Pallet tagging
5. Summary
Agenda
16. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
15
• Under the supervision of the GS1, a “Pallet Tagging Guideline“ was
drafted in 2009 :
– Participation of 50 companies from industry, trade and the service sector
– Participation of EPAL, CHEP, LRP, Korea Pallet Pool, SmartFlow Pooling
– The guideline was passed in August 2010 by GS1
• The EPAL RFID System is based on the global GS1 standards and the
“Palett Tagging“ guideline
– EPC Electronic Product Code
– EPCIS EPC Information System
– GRAI 96 Global Returnable Asset Identifier
– GS1 128 Barcode
Standardisation
17. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 16
1. The GRAI key to be the GS1 identification key to identify pallets
2. The GRAI data structure (GRAI 96 only) to be used
3. A minimum of 2 GRAI tags are sufficient – the exact position of the
tags still needs further definition and clarification at a later stage.
Storage of the SSCC code in the user memory is optional
4. Wooden pallets should have one RFID tag on the longer side and
one tag on the shorter side of the pallet
5. It is advisable and therefore optional that the GRAI number also be
made available in a barcode and/or a human readable form on the
pallet.
Core message of the “Pallet tagging” guideline
18. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
17
Questions
• Which technology?
- active / passive / UHF / HF
• Which standards?
- GS1 EPCglobal / DIN / ISO
• What data is contained?
- Data on Tag or Data on Network
- Barcode as redundancy
• Number of tags?
- 1,2,3 or 4 tags
• Best positioning?
- Where is the tag to be positioned?
• Tag fastening?
- Nail, bonding, welding
Pallet tagging Status EPAL
Passive / UHF Gen 2
GS1 EPCglobal
GRAI 96 + User Memory
Data on Network
Barcode GS1 128
2 tags
Long / short side
open
19. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
18
120 x 17 x 2 mm
Middle
cover board
Middle
cover board
UHF, EPC Gen 2
Implementing the Guideline at EPAL
20. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 19
Challenges
• Wood as a “dynamic“ material
• Very stringent environmental requirements
• Automated fastening process
Under test
• Nail process: initial experiences available
• Bonding process: organic adhesive layer
• Welding process: feasibility clarified
Tag fastening
=> Practical suitability currently does not yet exist
21. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 20
Nail process
Tried and tested technology
Long hole could absorb expansion differences
Cover board shortened to protect the tag
22. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 21
Initial trials with Softtags were carried out
Adhesion testing
Thermal cycling testing
(-10 up to +85C for 49 days)
Ultraviolet exposure testing
(100h /3.2mW/cm2)
Humidity testing
(85C / 85% for 49 days)
Drop test (5m)
Bonding process
23. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 22
The thermoplastic connecting element is pressed using ultrasonic energy into the
porous support material.
The connection using ultrasound causes friction and thus heavy shear forces
between the porous material and the plastic surface.
The thermoplast undergoes a jump in temperature and viscosity, making it very
fluid, and can thus penetrate into the smallest cavities of the support material.
Immediately after the WoodWelding ® process, the plastic hardens within the
shortest possible time.
Welding process
24. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 23
Welding process
Use of value for money connecting elements
Simple, quick fastening and short process times (in seconds)
Durable, firm and permanent connection
Clean, reproducible process
No adhesives or metal fasteners used
25. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
24
• Environmental requirements
• Thermal and climatic (temperature, humidity, UV)
• Mechanical – dynamic (shock, vibration)
• Protection requirement IP67
• Expansion of the wood
• Automated fastening process in the industrial environment
• 7.5 pallets a minute
• Position of the tags on the pallet
• Specification of the RFID tag
Requirements for fastening
26. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011
25
1. Introduction & Vision Project EPAL RFID System
2. Project organisation
3. The EPAL RFID System
4. Pallet tagging
5. Summary
Agenda
27. EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
EPAL
RFID System
Project status February 2011 26
1. It is taking longer to implement RFID solutions in the market than expected.
While the focus is on returnable containers, the demand is still modest. The
time for introduction must be carefully planned and the market must be
ready!
2. Collaboration with GS1 ensures that the EPAL solution is compatible with
international standards and other pallet pools. However standardisation has
not yet been completed; no user experience is available yet.
3. The EPAL internal process definitions have been made – feasibility has been
demonstrated. In terms of the steps to be completed, clarity is required in
relation to product (tag on the pallet).
4. The infrastructures that the licensees have cannot be established until the
product has been clearly defined
5. Fastening of the tag in wooden pallets has not yet been resolved – some
good work has been done; further clarification is required
Summary
