October 14-16, 2008 • Donald E. Stephens Convention Center • Chicago, IL

Saving Time and Money With Passive RFID
Last year, John Deere launched an EPC Gen 2 pilot in one of its factories, to monitor work-in-process (WIP) and ensure parts are at the right spot at the proper time. They also deployed an RFID system with their manufacturing execution system (MES) in another factory, to improve production efficiencies and accuracies. In this session, you’ll hear what happened over the last year since the project was put into place and what’s ahead in the future for Deere’s plan to implement an automated tracking system to monitor outbound logistics operations.

Speaker:

Mark Moran, Technology Architect, Deere & Company

Takeaway:

• Benefits of using an RFID-enabled WIP monitoring process in the manufacturing environment
• Understanding how UHF passive RFID systems can improve logistics and tracking

Using Passive UHF to Track Vehicles in Production
One major auto manufacturer manually tracked thousands of vehicles each year as they were conveyed through facilities for various testing procedures, but the company sometimes lost track of vehicles or their status because of manual errors. Therefore, the company deployed a cost-effective passive UHF system to automatically track the vehicles, thereby reducing costs, improving visibility and achieving an ROI within a year.

Speaker:

Rajiv Sinha, Technology Manager, Ford Motor

Takeaway:

• How passive UHF systems can be used to track large assets in a production facility
• Methods for overcoming performance issues in a challenging RF environment

Cisco Leverages EPC RFID Across the Extended Enterprise
Cisco Systems, the world’s largest manufacture of networking equipment, pioneered the complete outsourcing of manufacturing and service in the high-tech industry . Now, it is studying the use of RFID technologies to manage its virtual supply chain. Hear the results of recent work that quantifies potential benefits in cost and cycle time reduction, leading to the creation of increased competitive advantage. The company’s RFID leader will share the frameworks and tools the company used to determine the benefits and explain Cisco’s next steps.

Speaker:

Waseem Sheikh, Director, Internet Business Solutions Group, Cisco

HP Brazil Extends Use of EPC/RFID to Improve Manufacturing
In 2007, HP Brazil won the RFID Journal Award for its innovative use of EPC technology to track production of printers. In this session, the company will discuss how it has extended that deployment to use EPC/RFID to improve inbound
operations in its warehouse and to manage industrial assets in its manufacturing operations.

Speaker:

Marcelo Pandini, Sr. Manager, Operations Strategy Development & Mfg Logistics, Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP)

Dow Corning Monitors WIP with RFID
Dow Corning faced a major challenge when it decided to replace its manual process for monitoring bulk materials as they were produced and pumped down to finished goods in another area. An RFID solution enabled it to minimize the materials’ accumulated time outside of cold storage, raise alerts at various points and gain visibility into the process. In this session you’ll learn how Dow built the solution, the challenges they faced, the benefits realized, the next steps and the key takeaways. Critical elements of discussion will include using passive tags with metal drums, monitoring work-in-process (WIP) and operating RFID in a chemical manufacturing environment with cold storage.

Speaker:

David Zuwala, Senior Analyst, Manufacturing Systems IT, Dow Corning

Reducing Manufacturing Costs With RFID
In this session, get the latest insights into how Northrop Grumman continues to reduce manufacturing costs by identifying damaged composite parts with the latest in RFID technology. Hear how this enables composite design structures to perform their intended function with the required level of confidence, and at a lower cost.

Speaker:

George Bullen, Principal Engineer, Western Region., Northrop Grumman