Using BLE Beacons to Track, Route and Trace WIP

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The SPEDE WIP Container Traceability function tracks and controls the flow of serialized WIP containers to ensure the correct sequencing of WIP operations is followed. SPEDE checks the correctness at issue to prevent WIP sequencing errors. For easier tracking, the same serial number can be used throughout each operation when possible.  

WIP Traceability Functions include:

1. Routing by WIP/ FIN part number
2. Identifies Purchased, Produced, and Component parts used at each operation 
3. Tracks recycles/ re-starts
4. Options for tracking through "blind" processes such as plating, painting, etc.

Option:  Using BLE Beacons to Track Steel WIP Containers

For some applications, it may be most efficient to automatically track the location of each WIP container by using the same Bluetooth technology that the SPEDE Steel Coil Locator System uses to track steel coils.  

A small Bluetooth (BLE) beacon, which has a unique ID, can be attached to the steel WIP container via magnet. To record the WIP container ID in the SPEDE SQL database for tracking and traceability, the operator can scan the beacon ID to associate it to the WIP container ID, and can optionally scan or enter additional WIP data if needed. Every time the container is moved, either within the warehouse or is issued to a new operation, the Beacon will transmit its ID to the SPEDE Bluetooth app for real-time location tracking and automated transaction entry.  

 Key Features of the Bluetooth Beacon: 

1. Small Size (1.5 in diameter, .5 in height)
2. Long Battery Life (3 years)
3. Replaceable internal button battery (CR2032)
4. Extended Bluetooth transmit distance (up to 300+ feet)
5. Internal Accelerometer inside beacon wakes up on coil movement, and automatically triggers Bluetooth data transmission
6. Beacon has a magnet for easy attachment and removal 
7. Beacon has an optional 2D barcode that can be scanned to associate the beacon ID to the coil’s data, e.g., part nbr, heat, supplier, etc.
8. Beacon transmits its unique beacon ID to a SPEDE Bluetooth App on a handheld Windows 10 PC tablet, where the Coil Location database resides
9. Optional WiFi support for multiple tablets and/or interface to a host computer system.

Advantages of using Bluetooth Beacons:

• Simple to use
• Inexpensive
• Precise - Data transmission occurs only when the target item is moved (Beacon wakes up) 
• Earlier solutions used RFID tags on coils
• RFID reader often picked up signals from surrounding RFID tags resulting incorrect RFID reads and errors in picking, locating, shipping, inventory counts
• RFID tags are more expensive than Bluetooth Beacons