Contact

Success story

WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH

Automated identification of mother reels with RFID pushes intralogistics in tissue industry to a new level.

WEPA Hygieneprodukte GmbH, a leading hygiene paper manufacturer in Europe, revolutionized its intralogistics by integrating RFID with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). This created a fully automated paper roll logistics system, removing the need for human intervention in their factory warehouse.

Contact

Eric Ang

Business Development Manager, Germany

Challenge

Reliable Identification in a People-Free Environment

At its Mainz site, WEPA decided to automate the intralogistics process for mother reels using AGVs. This “people-free” operation presented a critical challenge: mother reels needed to be identified reliably and automatically from any direction by both the AGV system and the converting machines. Such precision was essential for seamless logistics automation and complete production traceability in an environment without human oversight.

People-free intralogistics process requires a reliable and automated identification of the mother reels from any direction.

Benefits

Fully Automated Intralogistics

100% Reliable Reel Identification

Cost-Efficient Reel Identification

Real-time Process Visibility

Outcome

The RFID and AGV integration resulted in fully automated paper roll logistics at WEPA’s Mainz site, eliminating human intervention in the warehouse. This advanced system ensures continuous, reliable identification of mother reels throughout the intralogistics process and enables automated traceability on the converting machines.

Solution

RFID-Enabled Core Automation

WEPA implemented a solution based on Turck Vilant RFID readers and software, combined with Sonoco Alcore’s Intellicore UHF RFID-equipped paper cores:

  • RFID-Enabled Cores: During paper production, the reel identification number and parameters are programmed into the RFID transponder embedded in the tissue reel core.
  • Automated Identification Points: RFID readers, controlled by Vilant Engine software, are deployed at key process points. These readers automatically identify the reels (through the paper) as they are transported and stored by AGVs, or consumed by converting machines.
  • Centralized Management: The entire process is managed by Vilant Visibility Manager Server (VVM), which provides real-time process visibility and integrates RFID information into backend systems like the AGV WMS and ERP.
  • Cost-Efficient Reusability: The RFID tags are integrated into the cores, offering a cost-efficient identification solution as they are reused for the lifespan of the core itself.

Interested or got questions?

RFID & RTLS Track Assets and Inventory

Every process can be streamlined. Our intelligent asset tracking solutions produce actionable knowledge for better visibility, traceability and efficiency.

Empowering Digital Supply Chains

Welcome to a world, where every item is effortlessly traceable. By harnessing RFID and RTLS technologies we revolutionize the way companies monitor and locate their assets.

Book a Site Survey

The first step in delivering a Track & Trace System is a Site Survey conducted by our Expert. It’s followed by a detailed plan on how to optimize your process with our state-of-the-art turnkey solution.

Questions on RFID?
Contact us with this form.

With more than 15 years of experience we are the company to kick start your RFID system project.
Don’t hesitate to leave your contact details below for our experts to contact you for more information on our Solutions and Refences.

You can also find the direct contact details of our Sales team. Find my local contact.

More information on our Privacy Policy.

Sign up to our Newsletter.

Questions on RFID?

Or fill this form. 

Sign up to our Newsletter.

Our team publishes a Newsletter roughly once per quarter. We write about our most recent successes, events we participate, new software features and trends in the industry. 

You can sign-up now and sign-out anytime you wish.

More information on our Privacy Policy.

Book a Free RFID Evaluation

RFID consultants at Turck Vilant Systems evaluate your company readiness and help to adapt your processes and select correct software, hardware and tags

You can also find the direct contact details of our Sales team here.

More information on our Privacy Policy.

We eliminate shipment errors - let us calculate how much you save.