PROTOid – 215 Piece RFID Drawer

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Lost and misplaced tools can be a problem for anyone, but in some maintenance and production environments like aviation and nuclear processes, it can be a matter of life or death. Cribmaster has had RFID based tool tracking software available for awhile now, but Proto’s 215 piece RFID drawer system enables businesses with even the smallest tracking needs to invest in the technology.

Together with Cribmaster (also owned by SBD), Proto developed an RFID based tool system

There are of course limitations to the system. It requires the use of RFID embedded tools or the attachment of compatible tags, but that is only to be expected.

Proto RFID Drawer

The J3152ID-0215MAS comes with a 31″ roll cab, a 215 piece tool set with organizing foam inserts, 15 employee access or “proximity” badges, and 15 RFID tags for use with existing of otherwise non-compatible tools. The set also enables easy upgrade to a larger Cribmaster system in the future.

So far the best price I can find online is just south of $25,000, but if you’re an employer in an industry that requires this level of tool tracking, you can afford it.

If you’re reading this, you probably aren’t in the market for a set like this, but the concept and the technology behind it, is pretty fascinating anyhow.

For a full demonstration check out Proto’s video on it:

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say we won’t be getting this set for review (lol), but I will keep you informed as the technology advances.

6 COMMENTS

  1. This is pretty cool for employers with high volume of tools/inventory. It holds everyone accountable. Tools are not cheap & I guess this is a way to keep track of your investment. Most the garages I visit the mechanics must have their own tools. I think that this was rule might have been placed because of theft/carelessness of employer equipment. Just a guess.

    I would like to see a screaming socket, wrench, drill, that would scream, ‘take me back to daddy’, or ‘don’t you think its time you take me home?’ That would work great for neighbors. Laters Travis & TIA

    Happy Holiday’s

  2. A secondary means would be to employ fingerprint or iris scanning technology. Someone could steal/find a proximity badge, so this next layer would keep them from opening the box. All proximity badges would have to be turned in at the end of a shift, so they would never leave the building.

    A further enhancement would be for the storage box to enable lockdown of the tool room or entire building to prevent the malefactor from leaving even if he/she successfully broke into the RFID. It would then send a message to the onsite security force, or local police dept. You might also have a hidden camera that senses movement to record anyone coming into the proximity of the tool box 24/7.

    These are extreme measures, but depending on the industry (aviation, aerospace, etc.), they might be considered desirable or even necessary to prevent theft/industrial espionage.

  3. Cool concept but the implementation would be hard. Getting $25k approved for spending when simply sticking with technicians having their own tools work just fine. And if it’s specialty tools than the extra 15 RFID tags might not be enough.

    Also another reason techs HAVE to have their own tools is if you have a garage with 20 bays then you gotta have 20 sets of tools all the exact same in the same place in the box.

  4. What would be great is portable scanner that you could walk around with to find the missing too. That would be the next leap in this technology. Noticing that the tool is lost is one thing trying to find where the tool is the other big issue. Still I would love this at my house I’m always seem to have tools that “disappear” The price tag is out of my budget though!!

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