ToolHound, a global supplier of tool tracking systems, explains that the ToolHound tool and equipment management system is helping a large diamond mining company in Canada maximize efficiency, security and productivity with RFID tool tracking technology. The mine was faced with the challenge of tracking and securing mining tools that are in use round the clock. Because workers require 24/7 access to the equipment, staffing a full-time tool and equipment room attendant was not practical. However, the company needed to protect its investment in valuable tools. The mine selected ToolHound’s secure RFID tracking solution for mining, deploying the ToolHound SecureCrib™ kiosk. The fully automated ToolHound tool inventory system allows workers to quickly check out and return the equipment they need from the unmanned kiosk, and each employee is responsible for the tools they use.

“Tracking metal tools that are typically covered in dirt requires quick and reliable RFID technology, particularly when there is no tool attendant on site to verify the check-out process,” said Dean Perry, President of ToolHound. “ToolHound provides real-time tool tracking and management for convenient access without sacrificing security, reducing tool loss and increasing productivity.”

Mining tools are RFID tagged with Xerafy Nano RFID-on-metal tags and Metalcraft Standard RFID tags. The ToolHound SecureCrib kiosk employs an Impinj xPortal gateway reader and touch screen monitor. With the easy-to-use touch screen kiosk, a worker simply scans their badge and chooses whether they are checking out or returning inventory, then the xPortal gateway scans the items and displays them on the computer screen. The worker confirms that the list matches their inventory to ensure accountability.