In the sector of electrical cable, switchboard and heavy equipment hire, monitoring goods as they enter and leave the warehouse has always been a bottleneck. Metal baskets full of cables are counted by hand – a slow, laborious and error-prone process that affects stock levels, invoicing and customer satisfaction.
Z Automation’s UHF RFID scanner, with an integrated scale, was developed to solve precisely this problem. We designed, tested and installed it for a multinational rental company: the results speak for themselves.
The problem with manual counting
Picture the scene: a forklift truck is unloading a metal basket full of cables. An operator has to count every single cable, check that it matches the order, and record everything on paper or on a computer. Hours of work, human error, and often disputes with the customer.
Hidden costs:
- Delays in order preparation.
- Man-hours taken away from value-adding activities.
- Counting errors leading to stock discrepancies.
- Inaccurate invoicing and potential disputes.
The solution: UHF RFID scanner with scales
Our scanner is a structure made of aluminium and stainless steel, available in customisable sizes, which incorporates:
- UHF RFID reading of transponders attached to cables, even in the presence of metal.
- Integrated scales to check the total weight and cross-check it against the RFID count.
- Touchscreen on the side to display detection data in real time.
- Simple interface: place the goods on the system, and it reads everything in less than 5 seconds.
How cable hire works
- The forklift truck places the metal basket inside the scanner.
- The system automatically reads all RFID tags (up to 1,200+ items).
- The built-in scale checks that the weight matches the number of items read.
- The monitor displays the total count and the result of the check.
- The data is sent to the management system via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Tangible results: the case study
We installed this solution for a multinational company specialising in equipment hire for the construction, events and industrial sectors. The results:
- 100% elimination of errors in order preparation.
- Verification times reduced from hours to a few seconds.
- Significant savings in man-hours.
- Competitive advantage thanks to ultra-fast logistics.
Why choose Z Automation
For over 10 years, we have been developing bespoke RFID solutions, even in challenging environments such as those containing metal. We offer consultancy, installation and support in Italian. RFID systems are eligible for Industry 4.0 incentives.
Conclusion
If you run a cable, equipment or machinery hire business, the UHF RFID scanner with scales is an investment that pays for itself. Contact us for a personalised consultation.
Contact us today for a free consultation
Zautomation – Via Mameli, 14 – 21013 Gallarate (VA)
info@zautomation.it | +39 340.635.640