Custom RFID reader for CAEN RFID

One of our latest completed projects involved a collaboration with CAEN RFID, a leading company in the automatic identification (AutoID) market, to produce a high-performance portable RFID reader.

The goal was to develop a RAIN RFID reader from the easy2read© series, called fIDo, designed for long-distance reading and to integrate with smartphones and tablets. The final product needed to be robust, easy to handle, and compliant with IP65 protection standards.

A project of this type required customized and integrated technical solutions, from co-design to molding, to solve several complex challenges during the industrialization and optimization phase.

“We were looking for a local partner who could fully understand our needs and translate them into concrete solutions. The fIDo RFID reader is the first model where the design is entirely developed by our team, from the electronic components to the external casing. It was a challenge within a challenge for an innovative technology (RAIN RFID) that evolves quickly. Thanks to MPT’s technical support at every stage, we managed to achieve a perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics, and cost containment.”
— Stefano Coluccini, General Manager of CAEN RFID.

• Complex geometry: The need to integrate electronic components and batteries inside a compact and handheld body while optimizing the production process.
• Economic constraint: Reducing costs without compromising quality. The ideal solution had to involve the fewest possible molds, without sacrificing product durability.

To solve these issues, our technical team adopted a pragmatic approach based on advanced technical analysis. We conducted thorough studies on injection points and material distribution to optimize production using only two molds: one for the body and one for the cover.

Reader Body
After several flow simulations, we decided to position the injection points in the front lateral area, near the button. This configuration, chosen to avoid visible junctions on the glossy display and ensure flawless aesthetics, allowed for reduced deformations and improved symmetry of the piece. The decision to place the injection points in a less visible area ensured that the final product maintained the aesthetics required by the client, without compromising structural strength.

Reader Cover
For the cover, the injection point was positioned at the rear, on the protrusion that presses the seal. However, during the initial analysis phases, we encountered a “hesitation” effect in the material, caused by the depth of the seal housing. This issue was resolved by optimizing the depth and material distribution, minimizing imperfections, and maintaining the IP65 protection.

Materials and Process Optimization
To ensure both robustness and lightness, a standard ABS material was selected, perfectly suited to the resistance and handling requirements. Additionally, the use of only two molds significantly reduced production costs, keeping the project within the budget limits set by CAEN RFID.

• The importance of technical simulations: Injection flow and deformation analysis (MoldFlow) were essential to achieving an impeccable aesthetic and functional result.
• Synergy between aesthetics and functionality: Choosing less visible injection points was crucial to meeting aesthetic needs without compromising the device’s robustness and functionality.
• Cost optimization through simplification: By using only two molds, we managed to keep costs under control without sacrificing the quality of the final product.