MxD Announces Funding for ‘Digital Fingerprinting’ Technologies
Institute Seeks Proposals for High-Volume Serialization Projects
June 12, 2019 (CHICAGO) – MxD announced today that it will award up to $215,000 for manufacturing projects that advance high-volume, low-cost serialization, with the potential for additional funding in a second phase.
This request for proposals (RFP) seeks solutions that address the gaps in current serialization technology through research and the development of “digital fingerprinting” technologies. Proposals should also consider feasibility and interoperability in a manufacturing environment.
High-volume manufacturers urgently need the ability to add item-level traceability, or digital fingerprints, to what they produce, not only to assure quality and manage inventory and compliance, but also to guard against counterfeit parts. High-volume manufacturers are those that produce at least 10 items per second.
While item-level traceability does exist in some forms—serial numbers, barcodes, QR codes, electronic tags and holograms—none of these solutions are practical for manufacturers who work at high speeds to produce high volumes of low-cost consumer packaged goods such as food or beverage items or other consumables such as battery cells.
These manufacturers are looking for item serialization with near-zero variable cost, as well as solutions that require no product surface area, and can identify items at rates of 100 or more items per second, among other characteristics.
Proposals may be submitted by individual organizations or teams. MxD membership is not required for submission but will be required before project award.
To facilitate project teaming, MxD will compile and disseminate contact information from parties interested in teaming up, during the first week of the proposal period. Interested parties should submit contact info for this distributed list by emailing projects@mxdusa.org by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, June 19, 2019.
The RFP and response instructions can be found on MxD’s website. Responses are due on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time, July 12, 2019.
For questions or more information, contact projects@mxdusa.org.
About MxD
MxD is where innovative manufacturers go to forge their futures. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, MxD equips factories with the digital tools and expertise they need to begin building every part better than the last. As a result, our more than 300 partners increase their productivity and win more business. Learn more at mxdusa.org.