Challenge
Provide and integrate an RFID label printer into custom robotic machinery.
Solution
A Zebra ZT411 RFID label printer with EtherNet/IP and Zebra Network Connect.
Story
A machine builder was constructing a bagging machine for various truck components. Each bag requires a label with an RFID tag for tracking. The builder needed an RFID printer that could integrate easily with the PLC and robot controlling the machine, and reached out to the team at EMP Technical Group.
The engineers at EMP recognized that the Zebra ZT411 RFID printer was the right product. The ZT411 can print and encode the RFID label and has the EtherNet/IP connection needed to talk to the PLC. EMP loaded Zebra Network Connect to handle communication between the printer and the PLC.
The ZT411 was easily integrated into the bagging system. The PLC tells the printer what to print and encode, the printer produces the label and reads the tag back to confirm it was encoded correctly, and the label is presented to a robot that places it on the product bag. If a tag was encoded incorrectly, the robot removes the label and discards it.
This application is an excellent example of how printers can work in an automated setting alongside a robot and PLC. Looking to integrate a printer into your custom machinery? Contact EMP today.
