A new generation of industrial-grade RFID tags has been unveiled this week, designed specifically for on-metal equipment tracking in harsh environments. The tag is engineered to withstand extreme conditions while delivering excellent read performance, making it ideal for asset management in manufacturing, oil & gas, logistics, and heavy machinery sectors.
The newly released RFID tag boasts the following features:
- IP68 waterproof rating – Fully sealed and capable of continuous submersion in water
- High temperature resistance up to 220°C – Suitable for high-heat industrial environments
- Long read range up to 14 meters – Ensures efficient scanning even at extended distances
- Rugged and rigid construction – Built for durability in demanding field applications
"This tag was developed to solve one of the toughest challenges in industrial RFID - how to reliably tag and read equipment that is metallic, mobile, and often exposed to heat, dust, or water," said Paul Chen, lead product engineer at the manufacturer.
In a heavy manufacturing facility, dozens of large CNC machines and metal processing equipment are spread across several production zones. Each machine must be regularly inspected and maintained, but tracking their service records and locations manually is time-consuming and error-prone.
With the new RFID tags installed directly onto the metal surface of each machine, maintenance personnel can now use handheld or fixed UHF RFID readers to instantly retrieve:
- Machine ID and specifications
- Last maintenance date
- Next scheduled service
- Operating status or alerts
Thanks to the 14-meter read range, machines can be scanned without direct contact, even in high-ceiling workshops. And the 220°C heat resistance ensures tags remain functional near furnaces or thermal forming lines. The IP68 protection allows use in washdown areas or outdoor storage yards.
The launch of this tag marks a significant advancement in Industrial IoT (IIoT) infrastructure, enabling more reliable asset tracking, automation, and predictive maintenance. Companies across sectors like aerospace, energy, automotive, and utilities are already piloting deployments.
As industrial environments grow more complex, technologies like this new high-performance on-metal RFID tag are expected to play a key role in building smarter, safer, and more efficient operations.