Special tags have been designed and tailored for optimized operation in specific applications. Tagging metal surfaces is now possible with exceptional performance, and some RFID transponders are tuned for better operation on-metal or even in-metal objects. For example, metal tags can be embedded in surgical tools, pipes, metal canisters or returnable-transit containers.

This type of RFID tags are usually enclosed in durable casing withstanding extreme outdoor weather conditions, for applications that require reliable operation in harsh environments, i.e. waste management, railway tracking, oil & gas industry, military logistics, high-temperature processes (automotive paint shops / sterilization autoclaves) etc.

(photos © Confidex)

RFID tag inlays are usually converted to adhesive labels to be used in specific applications. The conversion can be either in paper-face format (enabling visible information to be printed on the label, e.g. barcodes), or in plain wet-inlay format for operating only in combination with an RFID reader.

Depending on the application requirements and the processes employed inside the enterprise, RFID labels can be used only once (consumables) or re-used multiple times.

(photos © Smartrac & Confidex)