9, PW: It is said that there is a problem with metal.
Greaves: It depends on what you are trying to do. You can turn your defect into an advantage by changing the structure of the metal to make it part of the antenna. We are now working on the research of several programs. For RFID, my motto is: Don't complain, compete!
10, PW: Then "put down and then ship" RFID tags?
Greaves: At present, "the way to put down and ship again" is not going to last forever. This is because the temporary nature of the program prevents it from being manually upgraded. With the increase in label shipments, the demand for labor will also increase, and eventually the labor cost will exceed the value of the label. This is a retrogression that violates the principles of 0HIO.
11. PW: What is the status of metal inks used to print RFID tag antennas?
Greaves: They will eventually work, but not now.
12. PW: What is the role of electronic anti-theft products?
Greaves: I think EAS is the first technology that will threaten the future of RFID. Only one buyer will switch from buying EAS to buying RFID.
13. PW: What advice do you have for packaging engineers working on RFID systems?
Greaves: They must remember that it takes 0.7 seconds to write 128 characters on an RFID tag.
PW: Does this mean that if the transmission speed exceeds 75 (vessels)/minute, several readers must be daisy-chained.
Greaves: Yes. But you must have a long enough distance between two readers - about three feet, so that they do not read each other. Otherwise the reader will record no one without anything. There are many fine-second approaches to installing RFID tags in the production, assembly, and dispatch of products. This is just one of them. The method requires special care and diligence to reduce costs and improve performance.
14. PW: What is the standard of RFID?
Greaves: The standard as a tag will not exist because there is no standard tag. How can this standard exist? The label you put on this box will not be able to be used on that shelf.
15, PW: What other veils you are willing to uncover?
PW: When it comes to tags, most of your readers believe that the tag is just a tag when it accepts 50 tag tests. But the label is made up of a chip, an antenna, a photosensitive coating, which makes it (tag) a "crest factor." They must understand that not all tags have the same functionality. Labels are selected for use by packers. I know Italy has a 512-k memory tag that is a storyboard - meaning that the tag records the entire shipping process and product details, which is better than an ordinary electronic goods code (EPC). Although it seems to people's eyes it is no different from the 96k label.
16. PW: What are the biggest challenges for RFID commercial applications?
Greaves: The biggest challenge for the United States is that we have a culture that tends to cooperate - under which culture (anyone) takes initiative is not allowed, and a business environment where high corporate risk is not encouraged. This can be seen from our inappropriate attention to statistical quarterly reports and profits. When no one is looking forward to one more year, when returns are unlikely to be achieved in a few months, how can you prove that investment like RFID is worth it?
17. PW: What is the next biggest challenge?
Greaves: The problem now is that manufacturers are tired of absorbing another cost to make their products appear at Wal-Mart's prices. RFID should not be considered a cost, it would be a valuable tool if you take the time to actively use it. Isn't it really improving the efficiency of the supply chain?
18. PW: What's new in 2005?
Greaves: Actually there was no budget for RFID in 2004. In the coming year, we will see the first real budget for RFID technology in large and small companies. Managers are now preparing the budget to give them the money they need to complete their work.