RFID National Shortage

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5Kevents.org

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May 11, 2021, 9:14:38 AM5/11/21
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Thankful I have three boxes of reusable RFID tags. These have been in storage for years, does anyone know if they have a life span? Will they still read the same distance as if they were new?

How are others handling this situation?

 reuasable tags.jpg

Brian Agee

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May 11, 2021, 9:30:02 AM5/11/21
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They're "passive" tags - which means no built-in battery - which means they'll virtually last forever. Shouldn't see any performance decrease. We've used the same tags for years and the only time we have to do anything is if a runner rips them off instead of un-pinning or un-lacing them. We just re-laminate them and punch a new hole and it's ready to go again.

5Kevents.org

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May 11, 2021, 9:45:36 AM5/11/21
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That's awesome.

Carl Spina

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Jun 12, 2021, 9:47:24 PM6/12/21
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I had planned on using my tags as disposable, but with the chip shortage, I'm reconsidering that. What are people using to laminate their tags?

Tim Irvine

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Jun 13, 2021, 3:01:22 PM6/13/21
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I placed an order with Atlas about a week ago. I am likely good for the rest of the year, but I wanted to go on and order them (since Atlas suggested I should due to slow supply chains) and I got a notice that my order will ship out on August 20th. So if you have some now, but will need some later in the year, might want to go on and place that order.  My order will last me at least 2 years, so hopefully this mess will be behind us by then.

Brian Agee

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Jun 13, 2021, 3:20:03 PM6/13/21
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Do me a favor and use discount code "AgeeTiming50" if you buy anything from AtlasRFID. :)   That gives me a small kickback and it give you up to $50 off shipping cost.

We've been stocking up on readers and tags, but a TON of schools have been buying systems the past few weeks (I think trying to use any remaining "CARES" funding). So I suspect that FX9600's will be on back order very soon from every vendor around. :(

Carl Spina

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Jun 24, 2021, 2:48:15 PM6/24/21
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I've continued to search, but I'm looking for specific advice on how those with laminated tags went about laminating them?
What machines did you use?
What thickness of film did you use?
Any other tips?
I do have access to our laminator at school, but I'm concerned the heat of that laminator might be too much for the chips.

Rod Simpson

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Jun 24, 2021, 4:26:32 PM6/24/21
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I have not had a chance to use these tags in a race setting, but have tested the heck out of them and they seem to work. 
I just need a race to try them out on.

This is what I did for reusable tags- 

Laminator: Scotch Thermal Laminator bought at Staples
image.png

Amazon had the 9 by 11.5 laminator pouches 3 ml thickness.
image (1).png

Printed out labels on Avery labels sheet.

Made a wooden board template to set up to make  a sheet of 16 tags at one time.
image (2).png

Stuck labels on tags (Alien 9662), set into laminator pouch, added hole reinforcers. 
Laminated pouch in the Scotch laminator set to 3 mil.

Now the tedious part, hand cut out the labels making sure to leave a little bit around the label to not break the seal.
Marked a number on the tag with permanent marker and programmed tags using ART.
image (3).png

I added a small bit of velcro (soft side on tag) to be able to attach to a board.  I am not sure if the velcro will hold up or be useful in the long run.
image (4).png

I was worried about wet conditions from reading some experiences on this board so I tried leaving tags in cups of water for 24 hours to see if the tag would delaminate (it did not).
I tried wrapping the tag in a wet towel and t-shirt to see if it would still read and it did.

I am hoping these work in a real world setting.  They were a labour of love to make and not expensive per chip, but a lot of time put in.

Rod

Patrick W

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Jun 24, 2021, 4:30:03 PM6/24/21
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Most people just used the 9x11 lamination "pouches" for home laminators I think...  There have been a couple discussions over a few years, but of course they're not coming up easily lol

but there are others...  I think maybe Oscar had shown the process of making the ones diagrammed in this post:

SportMadeSimple

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Jun 24, 2021, 5:11:16 PM6/24/21
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I've used both the laminated pouches and a large roll laminator like schools have.  Both options worked well.  The laminated tags read significantly better than non laminated and I haven't seen any ill effects from the heat.
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