Find your tools quickly with RFID tags
If you are in construction, TV reporting, or any other job that requires you to bring expensive tools to another location, then you know the frustration of leaving tools behind. On a somewhat related note, I left a camera behind at a wedding that I went to last week, and all I could think was: “oh, I should have done a quick inventory of my things before I just drove off”.
DeWalt is thinking the same thing when it created Tool Link, a way of keeping track of tools with RFID tags. The system comes with an RFID scanner with software for a truck’s dashboard computer, as well as two RFID antennas for a truck’s bed.
It also comes with 50 RFID tags that can be attached to any tool. So when you leave the job, you can check the computer and see if any tools were left behind, and track down the ones that are missing.
Of course, you will have to make a database for this, and you might wonder if the $1,500 price tag to install Tool Link in your Ford truck is really worth it. Just think of it as insurance. Is it easier to pay the high price now, or keep paying every time a tool gets lost?
Join 2 reviews or comments
Dipole RFID Says: April 2, 2010 at 10:30 am
Tellme wich frecuencies are you using
I tried to do this kind of solution for a spare parts warehouse of a large industry, but I found the difficulty when tagging metal products.
In our company we develop RFID solutions, but we did not find the frequency and the tags for tools without any problems when they are inside toolbox.
If someone could guide me, I will be very grateful.
Santiago Depares
CTO DipoleRFID
Kevin Kendrick Says: August 12, 2009 at 5:56 am
I am looking for a system that will allow me to track the location of shop work orders within my manufacturing facility. I need to have one that I can hav a disposable tag connected to a Shop work order. Can you help?