Case Study: Enhancing production accuracy at Van de Vin with RFID technology

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In the timber construction industry, accuracy and real-time design access are essential. Van de Vin needed to replace manual, paper-based workflows with a smarter, digital process. RFID Direct developed an integrated RFID solution combining custom-built scan heads, dowel tags and seamless ERP connectivity, ensuring that every workstation automatically works with the latest drawings. The result: faster operations, full process traceability and substantial savings on paper and printing.

 

Challenge 

Van de Vin, a leading manufacturer of hardwood window and door frames, faced a challenge in their production process. Project drawings, created in a large A0 format, had to be manually managed and distributed across the factory floor. When designs changed during construction, all old drawings had to be recalled and replaced with new ones within the production line, a process that was time-consuming and prone to errors. There was a risk that employees would work with outdated information, leading to costly mistakes. The company wanted to digitize and streamline this process.

Van de Vin needed a reliable, digitized system to make sure  that every production station always had access to the latest design information.

Solution

RFID Direct developed and implemented a unique RFID solution that replaces manual paper handling with automated digital control, exchanging data with Matrix ERP software system. At the start of production , a custom-developed UHF RFID dowel tag is embedded into each wooden frame.  Although each frame consists of multiple timber beams, the RFID tag is always placed in the same beam, typically the one located in the lower right-hand corner. This standardization ensures consistent scanning and accurate data capture throughout the process.

A custom-built scan head, developed by RFID Direct, plays a central role in the system. It combines barcode reading and RFID tag programming in a single scan movement. At first two workstations in the production line, this unit reads both the barcode (containing the project number) and the embedded RFID tag. The bespoke made software running on the Impinj R700 reader then initiates a real-time handshake with Van de Vin’s Matrix ERP system.

The system confirms:

  • Successful barcode scan
  • RFID tag encoding
  • ERP system acknowledgment of the data exchange

A built-in light column (LED Beacon) provides operators with instant visual feedback:

  • Green = barcode successfully read
  • Yellow = RFID tag read and stored
  • Red = data successfully transferred to Matrix ERP Software

 

At every following process step the RFID tag is read, relevant data from the ERP system is presented on screens, including the latest version of the drawings for this production step. Feedback related to the production in this section can be fed back to the ERP system using the touchscreens.

This ensures that operators always work with the correct information, eliminating the need for printed drawings and reducing the risk of errors.

The hardware setup includes:

  • Impinj R700 reader
  • Times-7 A5020 antenna
  • Timber UHF RFID Dowel tag
  • Custom-built scan head combining barcode and RFID read/write capabilities
 

Result

  • App. €30,000 in annual savings on paper and printing
  • Fast and reliable processing, less than three seconds per item
  • 100% assurance that production follows the correct, most up-to-date drawing
  • Improved traceability and process transparency
  • Scalable for future enhancements such as idle time tracking and component verification

Next Steps

With the RFID infrastructure firmly in place, Van de Vin and RFID Direct are now preparing for the next phase of optimization. The system will soon be extended to measure idle time and monitor production queues in real-time. This will allow the company to analyze and improve the balance between processing time and downtime on the factory floor.

In the long term, the RFID Timber Dowel Tag is expected to serve as a lifelong product passport, enabling post-sale traceability, supporting circular construction and facilitating smarter maintenance and reuse processes in the building industry.

Partner

RFID Direct is a specialized system integrator with deep expertise in RFID-driven manufacturing optimization. Their approach focuses on process improvement, not just product delivery. By combining custom hardware integration with proprietary middleware, they deliver robust, future-ready solutions.  

For this project, Cisper provided the essential RFID hardware components. As RFID Direct’s trusted distribution partner, Cisper ensured timely delivery of high-quality readers and antennas, backed by expert technical support.

 

Used Cisper products: