In the course of technological advancement and the increasing digitalisation of industrial processes, such as those pioneered in the Industry 4.0 future project, the requirements regarding contemporary holistic product designs in the industrial sector have also been changing. Track&Trace is a locating system for indoor use, which brings new transparency into the material flow of networked production units. The system has been designed in light of the fact that it was previously impossible to use such systems in metal-rich settings, such as between machines or in sheet metal storage areas, simply because the signals from the transmitters were corrupted or even completely swallowed by the environment. Track&Trace solves this problem by using a robust frequency and a number of positioned satellites. These mini-satellites communicate with markers that can be placed on or easily attached to stacks of parts or load carriers, much like the familiar work papers. This enables paper-free production processes, with parts easily locatable in real time down to within just a few centimetres. The design vocabulary of Track&Trace places emphasis on clarity and straight lines, dispensing with all unnecessary elements. Combined with an intelligent user experience, this reduction aims at both promoting the high functionality of the manufacturer’s products and conveying the message of innovation, suitability for industrial use and utmost reliability.
심사평
Reduced to the essential, the perfect design of Track&Trace skilfully places the system’s highly specialised functions centre stage. The clear design language has been harmoniously adapted to indoor use in industrial environments. As an innovative locating system, it provides enhanced insights into the material flow of networked production processes by means of mini-satellites and markers. The system thus opens up a new approach towards digitisation in environments that have hitherto not been suitable for this purpose.
