RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology helps significantly improve preventative maintenance for assets and equipment. Thanks to asset tracking, WIP tracking, condition monitoring, automated scheduling, and better documentation, it can bring about an extended lifecycle and enhanced operational efficiency. In this blog post we will discuss the benefits of RFID usage to contribute to preventive maintenance and extend asset lifecycle.

What is preventative maintenance?

Performing preventative maintenance refers to all the regular, routine, actions, and measures taken by someone to extend the lifecycle of equipment and assets while complying with safety regulations. Take elevators as an example, elevators have strict regulation standards that tell exactly how frequently they need to be checked. Those regular maintenance procedures are meant to ensure safety and the ability of the elevator to function properly.

Many industries and areas practice preventative maintenance, and they all struggle to keep track of and meet all regulations. Thankfully, technologies such as RFID can help automate the process and help extend assets lifecycles.

How can RFID improve preventive maintenance?

Asset tracking and inventory management

To better manage assets, RFID tags can be attached to each, allowing improved tracking of all assets and equipment. With RFID, you can gain full visibility, along with monitoring movement and usage in real time. When assets are well-tracked, it’s much easier to schedule regular maintenance and inspections, preventing potential breakdowns and extending ˛ lifetime use.

Track WIP in production

Thanks to RFID, WIP (Work in Progress) can be tracked in real-time, allowing to take better measures for asset maintenance. For example, if a certain machine in a production line requires regular checks after a certain amount of uses or actions, the machine itself can notify when it’s time to conduct a check or maintenance procedure.

Condition monitoring

RFID tags can be equipped with sensors to measure various parameters such as temperature, humidity, vibration, and usage. This data can be automatically collected and analyzed to monitor the condition of assets and detect any anomalies or early signs of wear and tear. By identifying potential issues early on, maintenance can be performed proactively before major problems arise.

For example, if certain machines must be kept at a certain temperature, sensors can alert when they deviate too high or low. In addition, if something is wrong with the asset, the business can be notified to check and make sure it isn’t damaged to prevent potential errors and problems.

Maintenance scheduling and alerts

RFID systems can be integrated with maintenance management software to automate maintenance scheduling based on equipment usage, operating hours, or specific triggers like sensor data indicating a potential problem. It can send automatic alerts to maintenance teams when an asset requires attention or when scheduled maintenance is due, ensuring timely service and reducing the risk of unexpected failures.

Maintenance history and documentation

RFID tags can store each asset's history and plan their maintenance activities according to specific requirements. In addition, RFID can ease the documentation of each item as the data stored on the tag that is attached to the asset, reducing the risk of human errors.

In summary, RFID technology plays a crucial role in preventative maintenance by providing real-time asset visibility, condition monitoring, streamlined inspections, and data-driven decision-making. This leads to improved asset and equipment lifecycle management, reduced downtime, and enhanced operational efficiency for organizations in various industries.