Problem
A pharmaceutical manufacturer needed to track finished goods entering and exiting refrigerated storage, where products can only remain outside temperature-controlled areas for a limited time. Their software vendor’s proposed RFID hardware also presented availability and lead-time challenges.
Solution
EMP built 17 custom RFID portals utilizing Zebra FX9600 RFID readers, flat-panel antennas, LiDAR sensors for directional detection, custom enclosures, and 3D-printed light pipes for external status visibility. The solution also incorporated Zebra TC53 mobile computers equipped with RFID sleds for handheld scanning.
Story
Tracking pharmaceutical products moving in and out of refrigerated storage requires more than simply knowing their location. It also means understanding when products enter and exit temperature-controlled environments.
After the customer’s software vendor recommended RFID hardware with availability and lead-time challenges, EMP stepped in to evaluate alternatives. Following two rounds of on-site testing, our team recommended a Zebra-based solution and began building 17 customized RFID portals.
Each portal required additional engineering, including LiDAR sensors to detect the direction of product movement and a custom 3D-printed light pipe that makes the RFID reader’s status lights visible outside the enclosure.From hardware evaluation and on-site testing to custom engineering and assembly, this project demonstrates EMP’s ability to deliver solutions beyond standard, off-the-shelf equipment. It’s another example of how our team’s technical expertise and in-house customization capabilities help customers solve unique operational challenges.
