TPMS Production Line Readers
Production Line systems - General
Bartec has supplied automated and manual TPM reading systems for production line systems to all vehicle manufacturers around the globe.
Production line systems, by the very nature, must be very reliable and need minimal user intervention if automated. The process must usually include some integration with the factory system so that vehicles can be successfully identified and read by the equipment. Only vehicles fitted with TPM sensors need to be read, otherwise the vehicles can pass through the station without the need for activation. This lookup link is usually made to the factory system to determine TPM fitted status.
What is a typical process of TPM fitment to a vehicle?
A typical fitment of TPM sensors to a wheel/vehicle during production is:-
- Wheel and Tires assembled with TPM fitted on production line
- TPM tested in once fitted to wheel to ensure functionality (see Tire Line Systems)
- Wheels stored/transported to production line
- Wheels fitted to vehicle on production line
- Wheels read by TPM reading system to reference TPM sensor ID's to the vehicle computer (see Production Line systems)
- Rolls test functionality to test the full TPM operation on vehicle
- Vehicle leaves production with TPM fitted
Production Line systems - Automated
Bartec Auto ID Ltd produces a range of automated production line TPM reading equipment for installation on vehicle production lines. The equipment includes a range of static antennas that can be mounted adjacent to the line to read vehicle TPM wheels as the vehicle moves down the production line.
Simple overview of production line technology
The equipment consists of a main intelligent unit (RCU Reader Control Unit) usually housed in a cabinet adjacent to the line which connects to the two antennas which are located such that the vehicle can pass between them so the sensors can be activated and read.
The RCU then outputs the data as an RS232 data string to the waiting host system which may be PC or PLC based depending on the controller type required.
These systems can be specified to accommodate multiple TPM types from all manufacturers using the replaceable decoder cards in the main Reader Control Unit (the heart of the Bartec TPM reading system) The RCU can support multiple decoder cards/TPM Sensors allowing systems to be upgraded and expanded as new TPM sensors are introduced onto the production lines.
This universal design protects the investment made in the automated production line reading equipment by ensuring that the system can be upgraded in the future.
Bartec Auto ID's constant work with the TPM sensor manufacturers means that new decoders are constantly being made available to support these upgrade requirements from Bartec.
Typical Production Line Schematic
Typical Automated Production Line TPM reading system
Production Line systems - Manual
Where production levels of TPM fitted vehicles cannot justify an automated reading system, a manual version is available from Bartec Auto ID. This consists of a hand held tool that can be used to read the TPM sensors at each wheel.
The TPM sensor ID's can be read in order from the vehicle, stored locally on the device, and then either downloaded to the vehicle directly (using the OBD port) or to a host system for data collection and use/download at the Rolls test area.
Download cradle for portable hand tool (with and without stand)
Production Line systems - Vehicle download interface
When using the manual tools to collect the data from the vehicles, there are a number of connectivity options that can be supplied to transfer the data from the hand tool to the vehicles/host systems.
These include: -
- RS232
- CAN Bus direct to vehicle
- Kline bus direct to vehicle
- J1850 bus direct to vehicle
- Ethernet
OBD connectivity for vehicle connection
Bartec Auto ID has a wide variety of experience communicating directly with vehicle networks using native bus networks and specifications. We therefore are ideally placed to help to find a solution on all aspects of connectivity to vehicle ECU/computers and systems where TPM is concerned.