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From wet concrete to installation: labels for adhesive bonding, attaching, or casting in – optionally with RFID directly integrated into the component.
In the case of precast concrete elements, however, the product undergoes changes during the manufacturing process. Fresh concrete hardens, is demoulded, stored, transported and installed on site.
This alters the options available for labelling.
A label can be affixed to the concrete surface at a suitable point or integrated into the component during the casting process. Depending on the application, self-adhesive labels, hang tags, or solutions featuring a spike or anchoring element are used.
RFID can also be integrated. The RFID tag can be either attached visibly to the component or embedded entirely within the concrete. This enables identification without the need for a visible RFID label on the exterior.
The result is a labelling system that adapts to the precast concrete element's manufacturing process, rather than being applied to the finished component at a later stage.
Porosity, residual moisture and uneven surfaces can make reliable label adhesion difficult.
Label material and adhesive are selected to suit the concrete surface, moisture level and point of application.
Not every precast element provides a suitable surface for adhesive labelling during production or after demoulding.
Hang tags enable labelling independently of the concrete surface and can be fitted at suitable attachment points.
Applying identification after production is not always practical or possible at the required stage.
Labels with a spike or suitable anchoring section can be fixed in fresh concrete during casting and securely connected to the element.
Visible identification is not always required or may no longer be accessible once the element has been installed.
RFID transponders can be fully embedded in the concrete. Position, embedment depth and reinforcement are matched to the intended reading process.
Precast concrete elements undergo changes during manufacture – and so do the options for marking them. From concreting, through formwork removal and storage, to transport and installation, the identity of the component must remain unambiguously identifiable.
Depending on the production phase, the identification can be stuck on, attached or directly bonded to the component. RFID tags can also be affixed visibly or integrated into the concrete in a protected manner.
This ensures that the precast concrete element remains uniquely identifiable from production right through to its intended installation site.
Depending on the component, surface and manufacturing process, different technical requirements apply to the labelling of precast concrete elements. The following questions address typical practical issues and provide a concise overview of suitable marking and identification solutions.
Yes. Specially selected label materials and adhesive systems can be used for this type of application.
Key factors include residual moisture, the porosity and texture of the concrete surface, and the point in the production process at which the label is applied.
The appropriate combination of label material and adhesive should therefore be selected to suit the specific precast concrete application.
Yes. Depending on the design, the identification label can be incorporated into the precast element during casting.
Labels with a spike or suitable anchoring section can, for example, be used for this purpose. The anchoring section is fixed in the fresh concrete while the printed part of the label remains visible.
This depends on the precast element and the production process.
Self-adhesive labels are suitable where an appropriate concrete surface is available. Hang tags can be attached independently of the concrete surface using suitable attachment points.
Cast-in solutions are incorporated into the precast element during production and can therefore be particularly useful where the identification needs to be assigned securely to the element from the outset.
In principle, yes. Depending on the element design, an RFID transponder can be positioned inside the precast concrete element so that it is no longer visible from the outside.
This allows the transponder to remain protected within the element while identification can still be carried out wirelessly and without direct line of sight.
The exact configuration should always be validated against the element design and the intended RFID reading process.
Steel reinforcement can influence RFID performance. However, this does not mean that RFID cannot be used in reinforced precast concrete elements.
Relevant factors include the position of the RFID transponder, its distance from the reinforcement, embedment depth, antenna orientation and the intended reading direction.
For this reason, a practical test using the actual element construction is recommended for these applications.
Yes. A visible label can combine human-readable information with a barcode or DataMatrix code and can also incorporate RFID.
This provides different identification options: optical scanning when the label is visible and contactless RFID reading without direct line of sight.
RFID enables contactless identification of a precast element without requiring a barcode or DataMatrix code to be directly visible.
One particularly useful option is to integrate the transponder into the precast concrete element during production. This allows the digital identity to remain physically associated with the element itself.
Whether and how RFID is used depends on factors such as the element design, installation position, reinforcement, required read range and the subsequent handling and logistics process.
Every surface and every process is different. That is why we recommend carrying out a practical test under real-world conditions.
Tell us about your application. We will select a suitable marking solution and appropriate samples.
We offer innovative labels and customised identification systems tailored to the specific needs of our customers. Our many years of experience in industrial labelling and our high quality standards make us a trusted partner in a wide range of industries.
Main office
vertrieb@sp-samson.com
S+P Samson GmbH
Industriestraße 32
86438 Kissing
Germany
