Metal-heavy factories are some of the most demanding environments to keep organized. Tools, carts, and work-in-progress parts are constantly moving, and traditional tracking methods often fail when signals bounce off machines and steel structures. Lost assets create costly downtime, missed deadlines, and frustrated teams.
WISER’s Manufacturing Asset Tracking solution works specifically for these conditions, giving you real-time visibility and precision inside even the most cluttered shop floors.
Smarter Asset Tracking for High-Mix, Metal-Heavy
Operations
Work-in-progress often moves through non-linear steps in metal fabrication plants and machine shops, making it easy for bins or tools to get misplaced. WISER’s Manufacturing RTLS Asset Tracking system uses ultra-wideband tags that update location in real time, making every container, die, or cart visible on a digital map.
With our systems, the tool that you last used at a stamping press can be located instantly instead of sending workers on a scavenger hunt. For example, at SWD Inc., a metal plating company, the system tracked up to 4,000 parts and 500 work orders per day, eliminating lost batches that once caused significant delays.
Read More: Case Studies
With our Manufacturing Asset Tracking Solution, your team gains the organization and visibility to keep jobs flowing right on schedule.
Track WIP and Tools in Real Time
With WISER’s Locating System, UWB tags on containers, racks, and traveler packets update location every few seconds, so supervisors see each work order’s exact stage on a live map.
If a pallet of stamped parts gets set aside during a shift change, the system shows its precise location before it holds up the next operation. When a customer calls to check on a work order status, a manager can look up its location and status immediately.
We can tag any die, jig, or gauge, making it simple to pull up its location on a digital map instead of shutting down a press while someone searches.
Built for the Realities of Metal Manufacturing
Factories packed with steel machinery and moving parts create conditions that overwhelm most tracking technologies. Most tracking systems struggle when signals bounce off metal racks, machinery, or equipment. WISER solves this by using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology that measures the time of flight of a signal rather than its strength, a method far less affected by reflections than Wi-Fi or BLE. On top of that, WISER’s unique algorithms and auto-calibration ensure accuracy even when obstacles shift or antennas lose line-of-sight. If a rack of steel bins moves across the floor, the system instantly recalibrates and continues tracking with precision — delivering reliable location data where other UWB systems falter.
The system scales to thousands of assets with lag, giving manufacturers confidence that every tool, cart, or WIP container is accounted for in real time. Read more about this in our recent blog post.
This level of precision makes WISER the Work in Process Asset Locating System that can keep pace with high-volume, metal-heavy production.
Core Features of Our Work in Process Asset Locating
WISER’s Manufacturing UWB Asset Tracking system understands that metal-heavy environments demand more than just basic tracking.
The following features give manufacturers the accuracy and reliability needed to keep every asset visible in real time:
- Ultra-wideband precision in metal-heavy environments
- Real-time visibility of thousands of assets
- Flexible tag options with multi-year battery life
- Wireless mesh network that installs quickly and adapts to layout changes
- Seamless indoor and outdoor coverage on one system
With these capabilities, WISER provides a Work in Process Asset Locating that improves efficiency across the entire plant.
Why WISER is the Right Fit for Your Facility
Day after day, manufacturers continue to choose WISER because our system fills the gaps that other tracking technologies create. Unlike RFID or Bluetooth solutions that struggle with interference, our Manufacturing UWB Asset Tracking delivers foot-level accuracy across the busiest shop floors.
Plants can scale from a few critical tools to thousands of assets without losing performance, making WISER the Manufacturing Asset Tracking Solution that truly grows with your operation.
With a proven track record and reliable results in demanding conditions, WISER is the trusted choice for Manufacturing RTLS Asset Tracking in the US.
Ready to Track Smarter in Metal Manufacturing?
Lost parts and delayed orders don’t have to be a part of your process. With WISER’s Manufacturing RTLS Asset Tracking, you gain real-time visibility across every tool, cart, and container on your shop floor.
Contact Us Today to see how RTLS in metal manufacturing can eliminate downtime and keep your operations moving.
FAQ: RTLS in Metal Manufacturing
Discover more about RTLS in metal manufacturing through these frequently asked questions.
Can I use RTLS tracking in a metal-heavy environment?
Yes, WISER’s Manufacturing UWB Asset Tracking is designed for metal-heavy environments where RFID or Bluetooth often fail. The system delivers reliable accuracy in machine shops, fabrication plants, and assembly lines.
What are the best asset tracking solutions for manufacturing?
The most effective option is a Work in Process Asset Locating that works in real time. WISER’s Manufacturing RTLS Asset Tracking provides foot-level accuracy, scalability to thousands of assets, and seamless coverage across complex shop floors.
How can WISER's RTLS help track work orders, tools, carts, and equipment in a manufacturing plant?
With WISER’s Locating system, tags on work orders, tools, carts, and material handling equipment update their location every second. This ensures critical assets are always visible and available, reducing wasted search time and keeping production on schedule.
How can real-time location systems help reduce downtime in manufacturing?
RTLS in Metal Manufacturing prevents bottlenecks by instantly locating missing WIP, tools, or sub-assemblies before they delay the line. By eliminating search time and production stoppages, plants improve throughput and maintain on-time delivery. WISER also offers the tools for operators to create alerts when items are in the wrong place or have been waiting too long with its rules engine.
Watch our video to learn more.
Will the metal in our plant interfere with the tracking accuracy?
No, WISER’s Manufacturing UWB Asset Tracking was built specifically for metal-heavy environments and maintains accuracy even around steel machinery and equipment. Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth systems, it reliably tracks assets in machine shops, plating facilities, and factories.
What kind of accuracy can we expect on the shop floor?
WISER’s RTLS in Metal Manufacturing delivers precision within a foot, even in cluttered plants. This level of accuracy ensures you always know exactly where each tool, cart, or WIP container is located.
How are the tags attached to metal items?
Tags can be zip-tied, strapped, or placed in a traveler packet for WIP tracking. They remain effective even when attached directly to metal bins or pallets. Each tag is lightweight, durable, and built for manufacturing demands.
How many assets can we track at once?
The Work in Process Asset Locating can continuously monitor thousands of items, updating every second. Plants can scale from 50 to over 10,000 assets without losing performance.
Do we need to have Wi-Fi or a wired network in the facility to use this?
No, WISER’s Manufacturing RTLS Asset Tracking creates its own wireless mesh network, so it does not rely on Wi-Fi or special wiring. This makes deployment simple and prevents interference with existing systems.