RFID Production Line Management for Michelin

Background

In tire manufacturing, coils are essential production materials that move through multiple stages, including winding and unwinding. As production speeds increase, manufacturers need real-time visibility into where each coil is, when it passes through each process, and how it moves across the line. Reliable data is critical to keeping production continuous and traceable.

Previously, production information was largely recorded manually or entered into the MES. This made it difficult to capture the exact timing of material movements automatically. When production exceptions or quality issues occurred, reconstructing a coil’s journey could be time-consuming.

To explore a more automated approach, Michelin launched an RFID pilot at its UK plant, deploying the Chainway U300 Fixed RFID Reader at key production stations.
 

Challenge

• Limited automation in material tracking: Manual records could not provide an immediate view of coil movements across different production stages.
• Insufficient process traceability: Without precise time and location records, tracing materials during quality investigations could take longer than expected.
• Heavy reliance on manual input: Repeated production data entry increased operator workload and introduced the possibility of human error.
• RFID feasibility needed validation: Before a broader rollout, Michelin needed to assess RFID reading stability and system compatibility in a complex production environment.

Solution

Michelin installed Chainway U300 Fixed RFID Readers at critical points on the tire production line to automatically identify RFID-tagged coils.

• Automated production data capture: As coils pass through winding and unwinding stations, the U300 automatically reads their RFID tags and records process information without operator intervention.
• Stronger process traceability: The system captures when each coil enters and leaves key production stages, creating a reliable digital history for production tracking and quality analysis.
• Continuous, reliable identification: Fixed directly at production equipment, the U300 supports continuous RFID reading in an always-moving manufacturing environment.
• Flexible wireless deployment: Built-in Wi-Fi allows captured data to be transmitted to the backend management system in real time while reducing additional cabling on the shop floor.

Together, these capabilities provide a clearer view of material movements and a reliable data foundation for production management.

Result

• Automated data collection: RFID identification replaces repetitive manual recording, making production data capture faster and more accurate.
• Greater production visibility: Managers gain timely insight into coil movements through critical processes, improving transparency across the line.
• Faster quality traceability: Detailed material histories provide reliable evidence for investigating quality issues and production exceptions.
• Less manual intervention: Continuous fixed RFID reading reduces repetitive data-entry tasks, allowing operators to focus more attention on production activities.
• A proven path to wider RFID adoption: The pilot successfully demonstrated the value and feasibility of RFID on Michelin’s tire production line, providing a practical foundation for broader deployment and further automation across manufacturing operations.