Evaluation of RFID implementation in manufacturing systems. A case study in automotive industry

During the last years, many researchers and industrial managers are facing issues related to the real profitability of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) application in different industrial fields. The paper aims at investigating and evaluating benefits, costs, and inefficiencies of introducing the RFID technology in the assembly line of a manufacturing system and its implication on the product lifecycle. The research is performed throughout a case study approach. It aims at offering to the readers both a validation of the benefits coming from RFID application in assembly phases, and a guideline on how to face the system design and technology implementation problems. The RFID technology selection process is firstly reported; the benefits of the application of RFID in the assembly line are then evaluated through the analysis and simulation of different implementation scenarios. Simulation model results are analyzed for making considerations about the benefits coming from RFID implementation into production processes and during the entire product life cycle.