Pepperl+Fuchs Blog

The use of RFID for machine access control and operation is nothing new. Depending on the application, different frequency ranges are used, either LF, HF, or UHF. Recently, there has been a trend that HF read/write heads with IO-Link are increasingly being used for precisely these applications. As always, the goal is to ensure only authorized personnel operate machinery. Also valued is the ability to retrieve an operation log and how each worker parameterizes the machines.

Users who were previously of the opinion that RFID was somehow too complicated have quickly changed their view in practice. In this blog article we take a closer look at the topic and show you possible use cases.

Whether as practical automated guided carts, rolling assembly platforms, or massive self-driving container tank transporters, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in all possible designs have become indispensable elements in modern production processes that follow the Industry 4.0 principle. They help to make everyday work significantly easier, preserve existing resources, and speed up transport processes considerably. They differ widely in appearance, and the technologies that enable the vehicles to work automatically or autonomously are highly diverse. RFID is often used, and when applied intelligently, this radio-based identification method can perform numerous tasks on the AGV. This blog article presents three possible versions.

There are many great reasons to attend this year's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). One is to experience the technology from Pepperl+Fuchs. From May 6 to 9 at OTC in Houston, Texas, Pepperl+Fuchs will be exhibiting its process automation solutions for the oil and gas industry. These leading sensing technologies, explosion protection products, and intrinsically safe mobile devices will be featured at booth 4261 in Hall A of the NRG Center. Conference attendees will have a chance to learn more about the following technologies:

Before we get into the advantages of radio frequency identification (RFID) over traditional barcode technology, let’s do a quick overview of both:

Barcodes are a series of machine-readable, parallel black bars that represent identification information. The information is encoded by varying the widths of the bars and the distances of the spaces between each bar. An optical barcode scanner then translates the information for further interpretation.


RFID products use unique radio waves to communicate information. Typical industrial RFID systems consist of an RFID reader (head), RFID interface (controller), and RFID tags (transponders).

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. What load does a proximity switch need to sense for bench testing?
2. Does the SJ5-N inductive slot sensor need an intrinsic safety barrier?
3. Should I use a fiber optic sensor for injection molded parts detection?
4. Are the components in an AS-Interface circuit board module epoxy encapsulated or sealed?
5. Do you have a handheld solution to identify nonworking RFID tags?

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. Do you have non-incendive inductive proximity sensors?
2. Diffuse mode photoelectric sensors - what are the adjustment ranges?
3. Do you have a steel-sensing sensor that can withstand temperature extremes, shock, and vibration?
4. Can the inductive sensor NJ8-18GK-SN be ordered with terminal connections instead of leads?

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. Where can I find the add-on instructions for an industrial RFID controller?
2. How do I set the time delay function on a background suppression photoelectric sensor?
3. Is there interface software to view an AS-Interface network via a laptop or PC?
4. Can I swap out a photoelectric sensor for an ultrasonic sensor in a dusty paper mill application?

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. Can the inductive sensor NBB1.5-5GM25-E2-V3 detect non-ferrous metals? How does that affect the sensing range?
2. An inductive sensor won't read above 500 rpm. What's the problem here?
3. What does the fault error F-4 mean on an AS-Interface network?
4. Does the MTT-6000 RFID reader need an antenna or read head?
5. Do you have a capacitive sensor for high temperatures, about 150 °C?

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. Replacing a diffuse mode photoelectric sensor that is tied to an AS-Interface module.
2. Do you have MTTF data for the NMB1.5-8GM35-E0-FE inductive sensor?
3. Can diffuse mode sensors be used to detect metal drums in a hazardous area?
4. How to choose the correct power supply for RFID control interface unit IC-KP-B17-AIDA1?
5. Where on your website can I download AS-Interface system wiring guidelines and connection diagrams?