A 13.56MHz RFID tag will be attached to the barrels at the end of the barrel manufacturing process. Tonnellerie Rodoux's proprietary information, such as batch number, manufacturing characteristics and date of manufacturing is then written on the chip. Thanks to encryption features, the proprietary information is only accessible to Tonnellerie Radoux, while Tonnellerie Radoux and barrel end users can access other information on the chip.

The end user is able to write proprietary information onto the chip as well, such as filling date, fermentation type, wine batch number, etc., that will only be accessible to that end user.

The Stel'Air hand-held terminal is being used for writing and reading the chip's information. The terminal has a full alphanumeric keyboard and an LCD.

Bosch to extend distribution center for motor vehicle spare parts

Swisslog, a Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland provider of supply chain solutions, has won an order from Robert Bosch GmbH to extend a global distribution center for motor vehicle spare parts in Karlsruhe. Bosch is expanding its existing automated warehouse with distribution and order picking technology.

The distribution center in Karlsruhe is the central location for delivery of the company's global supply of spare parts for motor vehicles. In order to centrally stockpile a wider range of products for its customers, Bosch is enhancing the storage capacity of its fully automated distribution center by more than 125% in two steps. The first step, which will add 31,000 pallet locations through the extension of the existing 19 aisles, is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2003. The second step covers construction of five additional aisles with 21,000 pallet locations.

Swisslog will be responsible for building the distribution center and implementing the building installation technology with fire protection as well as for providing the enlarged facility with equipment for materials handling, distribution, control and data engineering. The order includes the implementation of new conveying system parts and stacker cranes. It will be carried out while the high-bay warehouse continues to operate.