Machine Security System
Control who operates specific machinery.
Track individual machine and operator activity.
Monitor who is operating machinery at anytime from anywhere.
Create an audit trail of machine operation in case of accident or incident.
The TCS Machine Security System provides control over which employees can operate which machines by locking a machine's safety circuit using RFID security locks. Only employees that are inducted and trained in the correct operation of a machine are able to start and operate that machine by presenting their personalised RFID read/write tag.
A machine security RFID reader interlocks with a machine's safety circuit and is connected via RS-485 or RF 2.4GHz wireless communications to the machine security master controller ("master controller"), which stores the operator information for each machine on the system.
A database provides a "flight record" of each time an operator presents a tag to a machine RFID reader. A log of the last 1000 events, time and date stamped, is appended to the database directly on the master controller. This provides information pertaining to the start and end time of the machine operation by each operator and can give a history of the activities and output of the machine for plant efficiency, employee performance, and wastage evaluation. All configuration data and "flight recorded" information is saved permanently to flash memory to ensure no loss of information in the event of power outage.
Information is viewed by using a web browser over the Internet, Intranet or Extranet when the master controller is connected to the site network. A web page diagnostic screen shows the status of each of the machine RFID readers on the network and verifies that the machine RFID reader is operational and who has enabled the RFID security. Alternatively the machine security module can provide data directly to a PLC data table, SCADA / HMI, or IS database using OPC, DLL or ODBC technology. The master controller can also be made to carry out customised functionality such as integrating the system to plant PLCs or sending data to a MES package.
A bench top RFID reader connected to a PC, with access to the master controller, provides the ability to personalise the operators' RFID tags as well as synchronise all information with the master controller. The machine security system can be easily configured through the web interface tool served up directly from the master controller. Access to the configuration tools is passcode protected to prevent unauthorised access to the system. Individual machine RFID readers are configured by simply setting the internal dip switches to a unique number. The machine number can then be allocated a description that will be retained in the master controller.
TCS provides various RFID tag options such as keyfobs, wristbands, or cards. All RFID tags are 13.56MHz SL1 I-Code ISO 15693 with 256bytes of read/write memory as well as a unique 24-bit electronic identification.
To know more about the TCS Machine Security System or any other TCS product and service please contact us at TCS. We are happy to help.
