How RFID can help OEMs Protect Revenue Streams While Improving User Safety, Satisfaction and Workflows

From 3D printers to medical devices, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have a vested interest in ensuring that only approved consumable materials are used in their devices. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) offers a more secure and robust solution for high-end consumable materials than barcodes, QR codes or manual entry. RFID can help OEMs protect revenue streams while improving user safety, satisfaction and workflows.

Why Consumable Authentication Matters

Most consumers are well acquainted with the “razorand-blade” model of loss leader sales, in which the durable good (the razor) is sold at cost or at a loss so manufacturers can get recurring revenues for the consumables (the blades). And certainly, this revenue model applies to many kinds of goods and devices, including standard printers and ink, 3D printers and filaments, and welding equipment and wire. The stakes are especially high for higher-end devices and equipment, such as medical devices and large industrial machines that use expensive consumable supplies. But protecting revenue is only part of the story. OEMs have many reasons to care about the provenance of consumable materials used in their devices.