 The use of RFID technology with Fork Trucks is one of the fastest growing applications for RFID technology. This usually is a direct replacement for barcode scanning within an inventory application – like a warehouse management systems (WMS).
In the past, the installation of RFID readers onto Fork Trucks has been a tricky proposition due to the difficulty of installing cable. However, new fork readers introduced recently have solved most of those problems. Now the readers and the antennas are mounted into the load rest. This eliminates the cable routing and reduces the space in the cab necessary for the application. It does still need either a network connection or serial/Bluetooth connection to the fork mounted computer. Power can also be needed, but many of the newer fork readers run on their own battery power. Today, RFID fork mount readers come with options like wireless networking, built in antennas, battery power and sensors.
Sensors located within the fork reader help identify if a fork load is moving vertically or horizontally. If the load is moving vertically, it can be assumed that it has already acquired a load or is about to pick one up. If the load rest is moving horizontally, the reader can look for the location tag and a corresponding pallet tag. The system can then determine if the pallet should be placed in the location read or if the user removed the pallet from that location. |
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Other sensors in the fork readers will include the ability to read a pallet tag or item tag and identify items like a refrigerator or washing machine to control the pressure that clamp trucks apply. This alone will reduce or eliminate damage to goods within the warehouse and could justify ROI for the system.
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The common applications using fork readers are:
- Inventory moves
- Pallet ship confirmations
- Fork truck movement tracking
- Clamp truck control
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