Construcciones Yamaro: RFID tags provide durable identification for industrial sensors

The RFID tags have been introduced with the VEGAPULS 6X radar level sensor – commonly used to monitor concrete silos, bulk storage tanks and process water facilities – and will later be available across all PRO series instruments. (Image: VEGA)

Scratches, dents, weather damage – even the toughest level sensors show their scars after years of hard work. On construction sites, in quarries or at concrete plants, environmental wear and tear is unavoidable. Recognising the need for better asset identification in challenging conditions, VEGA has introduced radio frequency identification (RFID) tags across its PRO series sensors.

The idea is simple: even if a sensor’s nameplate is faded, scratched or completely illegible, the sensor itself can still be identified and traced using the embedded RFID chip.

Although RFID technology has been available for some time, it has only recently become a durable and practical solution for industrial applications such as bulk material storage silos or tanks. The tags can withstand extreme temperatures, UV exposure, dirt and moisture, offering contactless readability long after printed labels fail.

“They are an ideal addition to stamped tags or barcodes, especially for outdoor installations,” says Stefan Kaspar, product manager at VEGA. “With an RFID tag, our sensors can be reliably tracked even after years of intensive use.”

A universal system

The RFID upgrade reflects a broader shift across industries toward standardised identification. VEGA’s new labelling approach aligns with the internationally recognised IEC 61406 standard, which defines the unique identification of physical objects and their connection to digital information. It is also based on the Digital Data Chain Consortium, a collaboration between plant operators, service providers and equipment manufacturers.

“As a member of the Digital Data Chain Consortium, we are working together with many companies on an industry-wide standard for data exchange,” says Kaspar. “In the future, access to and exchange of information between all involved parties should be made easier over the entire life cycle of a device or component.”

Scanning the QR code or reading the RFID tag enables users to access asset documentation instantly, even across diverse and remote construction environments.

Stepping toward the digital twin

The long-term vision is to integrate sensor identification into digital twin environments. Although integration is still developing, VEGA’s RFID solution is a first step.

“No matter where you are in a plant, in the future, you’ll be able to access a unique sensor identity anywhere with just one click, and go from there directly to the digital twin, which contains all the important information about the device over its entire life cycle – from documentation to parameterisation to proof tests carried out, as well as information for repair and recycling,” says Kaspar.

Customised sensor data

Beyond standard identification, the RFID tags can also be programmed with customer-specific measuring point details. For complex projects where dozens or even hundreds of level sensors might be deployed across different zones, this capability simplifies maintenance and reduces the risk of adjustment errors.

“From maintenance to inspection to servicing, this makes plant operation more efficient and safer,” says Kaspar.

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