Fastenal 9705079V1-0 FastBin Controller User Manual FAST Bin
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FAST Bin℠ User Manual
© Copyright 2018 Fastenal Company. All rights reserved.
FAST Bin℠ User Manual
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Trademark Information
Fastenal is a registered trademark of Fastenal Company. FAST Bin is a service mark of Fastenal
Company.
All other trade names mentioned in this manual are the trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.
Support Information
These units are manufactured, owned, installed, maintained, and operated by:
Fastenal Company
2001 Theurer Blvd
Winona, Minnesota 55987
USA
Support (toll free): +1 866-829-1564
CAUTION: Qualified Fastenal support staff are required to install and maintain the FAST Bin℠
system. Unauthorized installation, changes, or maintenance by non-Fastenal personnel can
result in the system not working as intended and could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment. Please contact Fastenal at the toll-free number listed above if you need assistance
or have questions regarding the FAST Bin system.
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System Description
This document describes the Fastenal® FAST Bin℠ system, which enables remote monitoring of
inventory by means of sensing and communication technologies to report the state of the
inventory to a central Fastenal server.
The FAST Bin system consists of the five devices that are used to create two different types of
installations: Infrared (IR) Bins and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Bins. The devices
include IR Bins, RFID Bins, Controllers, Readers, and Repeaters.
The IR system uses IR Bins, Controller(s) and Repeater(s) to communicate information, while
the RFID system uses RFID Bins, Controller(s), and a Reader which is enclosed in the RFID
enclosure.
Each device uses one or more communication technologies to transfer the information, as
shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1. FAST Bin Communication Technologies
The communication technologies are as follows:
• Wi-Fi: Standard technology used to connect digital devices to each other and to the
Internet
• Cellular: A network technology that enables mobile device communication via cells and
transceivers
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• Ethernet: A standard technology used to connect digital devices on a network using a
wired connection
• Long Range Radio (LoRa): A protocol that provides low power, wide area communication
between remote sensors and gateways connected to a network
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): A power-conserving variant of Bluetooth technology, which
provides short-range wireless interconnection of digital devices
System Operation
The FAST Bin system automates the current manual method of checking inventory that is stored
in Fastenal standard Bin systems as shown in Figure 2:
Figure 2. Standard Fastenal Bin Systems
The following subsections describe how each of the FAST Bin devices work.
Infrared (IR) Bins
The IR Bins consist of a standard Bin plus two printed circuit boards (PCBs) that sit opposite
each other inside the Bin; the PCBs are protected by a plastic insert as shown in Figure 3:
Figure 3. Infrared (IR) Bin
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There is an array of LED IR emitters on one PCB and corresponding IR sensors on the opposite
PCB. Obstruction of an IR beam equates to the presence of inventory at that point inside the
Bin. The obstructed or unobstructed state, as detected by the sensors, is transmitted to the
Controller by means of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and the data for each Bin is then
transmitted to the Fastenal Server via the Internet.
Multiple IR Bins communicate via BLE directly with a single Controller. If distance or
obstructions are an issue, a Repeater can be used. In this case, the IR Bins communicate via BLE
with the Repeater, which in turn communicates via Long Range Radio (LoRa) with the
Controller.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Bins
RFID Bins are standard Bins with RFID tags applied (as shown in Figure 4). When a Bin has been
emptied of its contents, it is manually placed in the replenishment area of the RFID enclosure.
The Reader, which is located in the enclosure’s subfloor, registers the presence of the RFID tag
on the Bin. The Reader then transmits the tag ID to the Controller via LoRa, and the data is then
transmitted to the Fastenal Server via the Internet. A typical RFID enclosure is shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 4. Bin with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag
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Figure 5. RFID Bins in Standard Rivet Rack
Reader
The Reader reads Bins with RFID tags and sends the information to the Controller via a LoRa
connection. See the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Bins section for more information on
the location of the Reader.
Controller
The Controller, which is shown in Figure 6, is a communication hub for the overall FAST Bin
system and uses several different data streams to communicate with the other FAST Bin
devices. The only concurrent transmissions possible are LoRa with either Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or
Cellular communications as the firmware does not allow other interactions.
The Controller uses the following technologies to communicate with the other FAST Bin
devices:
• Wi-Fi
• Cellular Modem
• Ethernet
• LoRa
• BLE
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Figure 6. FAST Bin Controller
Repeater
The Repeater, which is shown Figure 7, is used when it is necessary to increase the range of the
BLE transmitters. BLE messages are received by the BLE Module. The Repeater then relays the
message delivered to the Controller using LoRa communications.
Figure 7. FAST Bin Repeater
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Indicator Lights
The following sections define the indicator lights located on each device.
For all the devices, a blink of all green LEDs in a pattern indicates that the device is being
updated.
Controller
LED
Color
State
BLE
Green
• Solid: BLE connections are good
• Off: No BLE connections
LoRa
Green
• Solid: LoRa connections are good
• Off: No LoRa connections
Internet
Red
• Solid: Unable to connect to Wi-Fi,
Ethernet, or Cellular
Yellow
• Solid: weak Wi-Fi/Cellular strength
• Blink 1: No connection to host server
• Blink 2: Authentication failure
Green
• OK/Good
• Light should not be off if device is
powered on
Repeater
LED
Color
State
BLE
Green
• Solid: BLE connections are good
• Off: No BLE connections
LoRa
Green
• Solid: LoRa connections are good
• Off: No LoRa connections
Power
Green
• Solid: Powered on but locked up
• Heartbeat: Powered on and running
• Off: No power
Reader
LED
Color
State
LoRa
Green
• Solid: LoRa connections are good
• Off: No LoRa connections
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LED
Color
State
Power
Green
• Solid: Powered on but locked up
• Heartbeat: Powered on and running
• Off: No power
New Tag
Green
• Solid: New tag read X times in Y seconds
• Off: No new tags
Device Labels
The following images define the labels for the Controller, Repeater, and Reader.
Controller Label
The label for the Controller is shown in Figure 8; this label is located on the bottom of the
device:
Figure 8. Controller Label
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Repeater Label
The label for the Repeater is shown in Figure 9; this label is located on the bottom of the
device:
Figure 9. Repeater Label
Reader Label
The label for the Reader is shown in Figure 10:
Figure 10. Reader Label
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Installation Instructions
The following instructions define how to install the FAST Bin devices. Qualified Fastenal support
staff are required to install the FAST Bin system.
NOTE: The Controller and Repeater are designed to sit on a shelf or other surface to allow for
access to the regulatory information on the device label (which is located on the bottom of
each device). This note applies only to these two devices, as the Reader can only be located in
the RFID enclosure as shown in Figure 5 (see Figure 11 for location of the Reader’s device label).
The Controller, Repeater, and Reader devices are powered on when plugged in (i.e., there is no
On/Off switch on the devices).
It is recommended that the Readers/RFID Bins, Repeaters, and/or racks of IR Bins be installed
before choosing the Controller location. This will allow optimal placement of the Controller
based on the range requirements of the other devices. See Physical Placement Guidelines in
Appendix A for more information on placing the devices.
The following table summarizes the maximum distances between each device.
From
To
Range
Controller
Reader
500 ft (152.4 m)
Controller
Repeater
500 ft (152.4 m)
Controller
IR Bin
80 ft (24.38 m)
Repeater
IR Bin
80 ft (24.38 m)
IR Bins
1. Remove the battery insulation pull tab.
2. Ensure that the placement of the Bin is within 80 feet (24.38 meters) of nearest
Controller or Repeater.
RFID Enclosure
1. Assemble the RFID enclosure per assembly instructions provided with the enclosure.
2. Place the enclosure on top of the Bin rack and plug in the power cable.
3. Ensure that the enclosure placement is within 500 feet (152.4 meters) of the nearest
Controller.
4. Ensure that the communications diagnostic light on the front of the enclosure is lit
up showing a connected state.
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Repeater
1. Install the Repeater using the guidelines in Appendix A.
2. Ensure the Repeater is within 500 feet (152.4 meters) of the Controller.
3. Plug in the power cable to a standard wall power outlet.
4. Ensure that the LEDs are showing that the device is a connected state.
Controller
1. Configure the device:
a. If the site uses DHCP Ethernet, then no special network setup is required.
b. If the site requires use of Wi-Fi or a static IP address, contact Fastenal
support to configure the network settings.
c. If the site requires a cellular connection, contact Fastenal support to install a
cell modem and SIM card.
2. Plug in the power cable to a standard wall power outlet.
3. Ensure that the controller has a network connection and is plugged in via the
network connection LED indicator.
4. Ensure that no Reader or Repeater is more than 500 feet (152.4 meters) from the
Controller and that the LEDs are showing that all devices are in a connected state.
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Technical Specifications
Controller
Model Number
9705079
Regulatory Identifications Numbers
FCC ID: 2APK7-9705079V1-0
IC ID: 23979-9705079V10
Dimensions
5.556” W x 4.862” L x 2.0” H
(14.11 cm W x 12.35 cm L x 5.08 cm H)
Weight
0.71 lbs (0.322 kg)
Power
5.0 VDC, 3.0 A input
Operating Temperature
60.8° to 89.6° F (16° to 32° C)
Operating Humidity
20% to 80%
External Ports & Connections
Ethernet, Power
Supported Protocols & Regulatory
Identification Numbers
LoRa: 903-914.2 MHz (12500 bps max)
FCC ID: T9JRN2903
IC ID: 6514A-RN2903
Wi-Fi:
FCC ID: T9JRN2903
IC ID: 4701A-78111306
Cellular:
FCC ID: N7NHL7588
IC ID: 2417C-HL7588
BLE:
FCC ID: WAP2011
IC ID: 7922A-2011
Supported Antennas
LoRa: Flat Patch RF Antenna (Yageo
ANTX100P001BWPEN3)
Wi-Fi: Internal chip antenna
Cellular: Taoglas TG.30.8113
BLE: Integrated trace antenna in BLE module
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Repeater
Model Number
9705080
Regulatory Identifications Numbers
FCC ID: 2APK7-9705080V1-0
IC ID: 23979-9705080V10
Dimensions
3.839” W x 3.352” L x 1.5” H
(9.75 cm W x 8.51 cm L x 3.81 cm H)
Weight
0.33 lbs (.149 kg)
Power
5.0 VDC, 3.0 A input
Operating Temperature
60.8° to 89.6° F (16° to 32° C)
Operating Humidity
20% to 80%
External Ports & Connections
Power
Supported Protocols & Regulatory Identification
Numbers
LoRa: 903-914.2 MHz (12500 bps max)
FCC ID: T9JRN2903
IC ID: 6514A-RN2903
BLE:
FCC ID: WAP2011
IC ID: 7922A-2011
Supported Antennas
LoRa: Flat Patch RF Antenna (Yageo
ANTX100P001BWPEN3)
BLE: Integrated trace antenna in BLE
module
Reader
Model Number
9705082
Regulatory Identifications Numbers
FCC ID: 2APK7-9705082V1-0
IC ID: 23979-9705082V10
Dimensions of RFID enclosure (in which Reader is
housed)
48” W x 18” H x 24” H
(121.92 cm W x 45.72 cm L x 60.96
cm H)
Weight of RFID enclosure (in which Reader is housed)
72 lbs (32.66 kg)
Power
5.0 VDC, 3.0 A input
Operating Temperature
60.8° to 89.6° F (16° to 32° C)
Operating Humidity
20% to 80%
External Ports & Connections
Power
Supported Protocols & Regulatory Identification
Numbers
LoRa: 903-914.2 MHz (12500 bps
max)
FCC ID: T9JRN2903
IC ID: 6514A-RN2903
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Supported Antennas
LoRa: Flat Patch RF Antenna
(Yageo ANTX100P001BWPEN3)
RFID: Two (2) Patch Antennas
(Abracon ARRUN5-915.000MHz)
Power Supply
Manufacturer
CUI, Incorporated
Model Number
SDI18-5-UDC-P254-C1
Input Voltage
90 to 264 VAC
Output Voltage/Output Current
5.0 VDC, 3.0 A maximum
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Compliance Information
The following compliance information applies to the Controller, Reader, and Repeater devices.
FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference that may be received or that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the user manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his
own expense.
Canadian (IC) Statement of Compliance
This device complies with RSS-247 of the Industry Canada rules. Operation is subject to two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference that may be received or that may cause undesired operation.
Cet appareil est conforme à la norme RSS-247 des règles d'Industrie Canada. Le fonctionnement
est soumis à deux conditions: (1) Cet appareil ne doit pas causer d'interférences nuisibles, et (2)
cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence qui pourrait être reçue ou qui pourrait causer un
fonctionnement indésirable.
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20 cm
between the radiator and all persons.
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Appendix A: Physical Placement Guidelines
Controller Placement
Placing the Controller in an optimal location ensures that the Controller will have a much better
signal with far less interference. It may be necessary in large facilities to install multiple
controllers. The following guidelines can be used to help place the Controller in an optimal
location.
NOTE: The Controller and Repeater are designed to sit on a shelf or other surface to allow for
access to the regulatory information on the device label (which is located on the bottom of
each device). This note applies only to these two devices, as the Reader can only be located in
the RFID enclosure as shown in Figure 5 (see Figure 11 for location of the Reader’s device label).
1. Centralize the Controller: Make sure you place the Controller in the middle of all the devices
(i.e., Readers and Repeaters) that are being used. The signal strength from the Controller is
somewhat based on the distance. A central position can allow even distribution to all the
devices.
2. Controller Placement: Try to place the Controller as high as possible in the room, so the
signal gets dispersed throughout the facility.
3. Minimize Number and Angle of Walls: Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the
Controller and the Reader/Repeater devices to a minimum. Always imagine a direct line of
sight between the Controller and Reader/Repeater devices. Position devices so that the
signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better
reception.
4. Wall Building Materials: Consider the type of building material through which the signal
must travel. Drywall or open doorways are good choices. Materials and objects such as
walls with insulation, glass, brick, concrete, steel, metal, water, or mirrors can degrade
signal strength. Also, do not place the Controller inside a cabinet or a storage area/space.
5. Avoid Other Wireless Devices: Place appliances, such as cordless telephones, microwaves,
Wi-Fi routers, and televisions, as far away as possible from the Controller (at least 3 to 6
feet (1 to 2 meters)). This will significantly reduce any interference that theses appliances
may cause.
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Repeater and RFID Enclosure/Reader Physical Placement
NOTE: The Controller and Repeater are designed to sit on a shelf or other surface to allow for
access to the regulatory information on the device label (which is located on the bottom of
each device). This note applies only to these two devices, as the Reader can only be located in
the RFID enclosure as shown in Figure 5 (see Figure 11 for location of the Reader’s device label).
1. IR Bin Placement: First, make sure that the IR Bin rack setup is no more than 160 feet (48.7
meters) across in its longest direction. A good way to determine this distance is to picture
the Bin setup inside of a large circle – the radius of the circle should be less than 80 feet
(24.38 meters). It is important that no IR Bin be more than 80 feet (24.38 meters) from a
Controller or repeater. Then install the Repeater near the Bins using the same guidelines as
defined for the Controller Placement.
2. RFID Bin Placement: Placing the RFID enclosure/Reader is constrained only by the
requirement that it cannot be more than 500 feet (152.4 meters) from the Controller.