An automatic print/applicator encodes, prints, and applies the RFID tag to the case as it proceeds down the conveyor.  The print/applicator selected for this implementation employs a “pre-reject and apply” methodology which ensures that bad tags never make it onto a case.  An RFID antenna is mounted on the conveyor immediately following the print/applicator to confirm that the RFID tag is still readable after being applied to the case.  This ensures that only good readable RFID tags are loaded onto a pallet at the end of the production conveyor.  The case passes in front of a photo cell which is mounted prior to the conveyor antenna.  Movement activates the reader to read the EPC number of the case tag.

When a pallet is fully loaded, it is forwarded to a stretch wrapper for wrapping.  After it is stretch wrapped, the pallet passes in front of a photo cell which is mounted prior to the RFID aggregation portal.  The photo cell is monitored by the RFID middleware.  Movement activates the RFID reader for the pallet case reads.  Another photo cell is mounted after the RFID portal and terminates the RFID reader when a pallet has exited the portal.  All reads are captured by the middleware and passed to the iSeries for processing.  The middleware illuminates the green light on the light stack when it receives a positive response from the iSeries.  The red light is illuminated if a negative response is received and the case with the bad tag is diverted to a stretch of rejection conveyor.  A nearby IP workstation displays all tag reads and iSeries responses so the line operator can resolve any issue that may arise during aggregation.