Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing metal parts and associated assembly method

[1] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing metal parts and of assembling these metal parts in order to form an item of equipment, for example, a vacuum pump.

[2] One of the problems associated with items of equipment comprising an assembly of parts, and in particular of metal parts, involves monitoring the maintenance of the parts and repairing faulty items of equipment. Furthermore, in the case of faulty items of equipment, it is also important to be able to quickly determine the cause of the breakdown.

[3] In the case of a vacuum pump, faulty parts can be caused, for example, by the use of a faulty material or by non-compliant machining.

[4] Thus, it is necessary, when a faulty item of equipment is detected, to be able to determine which is or which are the faulty part(s) and how they were manufactured. To this end, it is necessary to be able to properly reference each part and to ensure the traceability of the various methods applied to the part when it was manufactured.

[5] Indeed, if a series of faulty items of equipment is detected and it is possible to quickly determine common points relating to the manufacture of the faulty items of equipment, for example, all the items of equipment include a faulty part originating from a particular manufacturing line of a particular factory, it is then possible to quickly detect the anomaly causing the defect in the items of equipment and thus resolve the problem.

[6] In order to implement this monitoring of the metal parts, it is known for a serial number to be etched onto each metal part during machining. Tables comprising the data relating to the various references then can be completed by operators to allow this data to be found from the reference number.

[7] However, this solution has numerous disadvantages.

[8] In effect, etching the reference number onto the metal part requires a significant amount of time, during which the part is immobilized, which increases the manufacturing time of the part, as well as its cost. Furthermore, the metal parts are generally painted after they are machined and the layer of paint can make the reference number illegible or difficult to read, so that a significant number of errors can be made when an operator records the reference number. Errors also can be made by the operators when finding associated data in the data tables.

[9] Therefore, a solution needs to be found to improve the monitoring and the traceability of the metal parts in order to facilitate the analysis of defects in machines and to limit the possible errors during this analysis.

[10] To this end, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metal part equipped with a radiofrequency identification “RFID” tag, said method comprising a step of machining in a machining machine and a step of recording data in the “RFID” tag that relates to the associated metal part, which step is carried out when the metal part is in the machining machine.

[11] The metal part can be equipped with an identification tag before the metal part is introduced into the machining machine or when the metal part is positioned in the machining machine.

[12] Recording data that is associated with the metal part in an RFID tag that is installed in the metal part when the metal part is in the machining machine allows the errors in the recorded data to be avoided, whilst allowing the metal parts to be traced after they are machined.

[13] According to one aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing method comprises a step of installing an “RFID” tag in a housing of the metal part, which step is carried out when the metal part is in the machining machine, in particular after the part is machined. Alternatively, the installation step also can be carried out before the machining step.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, the “RFID” tag is installed on the metal part by being force-fitted into the housing of the metal part.

[15] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the housing comprises an opening having at least one lateral clearance emerging relative to the location of the “RFID” tag to allow communication between the “RFID” tag and a reader/recorder located outside the housing. [16] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the RFID tag is configured to extend out of the housing by at least 1 mm to allow communication between the “RFID” tag and a reader/recorder located outside the housing.

[17] According to another aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing method comprises a preliminary step of machining the housing by the machining machine, which step is carried out before the step of installing an “RFID” tag.

[18] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the step of installing an “RFID” tag is carried out by an installation tool mounted on a toolholder of the machining machine.

[19] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the step of recording data in the “RFID” tag is carried out by the installation tool during the step of installing said “RFID” tag on the associated metal part.

[20] According to another aspect of the present invention, the data associated with the metal part and recorded in the “RFID” tag comprises at least one field from among the following fields:

- a reference number;

- a manufacturing date;

- a manufacturing method;

- a manufacturing site;

- a manufacturing machine reference;

- a machining tool reference;

- dimensions of the part;

- a maintenance schedule.

[21] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a plurality of parts of an item of equipment, such as a vacuum pump, comprising a step of assembling parts to form an item of equipment, for which at least one metal part has been manufactured using a manufacturing method as previously described.

[22] According to another aspect of the present invention, the assembly method also comprises a step of installing an additional “RFID” tag on an external part of the item of equipment, said additional “RFID” tag being installed so as to be able to communicate with a reader/recorder when the item of equipment is in the assembled state. [23] According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the additional “RFID” tag comprises at least one portion of data recorded in the “RFID” tags that are associated with the metal parts of the item of equipment.

[24] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from reading the following description, which is provided by way of an illustrative and non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[25] [Fig.l] shows a schematic section and perspective view of a tool for installing an RFID tag in a first position; [26] [Fig.2] shows a schematic section and perspective view of the tool of figure 1 in a second position;

[27] [Fig.3] shows a schematic perspective view of a magazine of an installation tool;

[28] [Fig.4] shows a schematic perspective and section view of a magazine of an installation tool; [29] [Fig.5] shows a schematic perspective and transparent view of a magazine of an installation tool;

[30] [Fig.6] shows a schematic perspective and section view of an end of an installation tool;

[31] [Fig.7] shows a schematic perspective view of an element for closing an installation tool according to a first configuration;

[32] [Fig.8] shows a schematic perspective view of an element for closing an installation tool according to a second configuration;

[33] [Fig.9] shows a schematic perspective and transparent view of a reader/recorder of an installation tool; [34] [Fig.10] shows a schematic view of the constituent elements of a reader/recorder of an installation tool;

[35] [Fig.11] shows a schematic section and perspective view of a tool for installing an RFID tag according to a second embodiment in a first position;

[36] [Fig.12] shows a schematic section and perspective view of the installation tool of figure 11 in a second position;

[37] [Fig.13] shows a schematic section and perspective view of a tool for installing an RFID tag according to a third embodiment in a first position; [38] [Fig.14] shows a schematic section and perspective view of the installation tool of figure 13 in a second position;

[39] [Fig.15] shows a flowchart of the steps of a manufacturing method and of an assembly method according to the present invention;

[40] [Fig.16] shows a schematic view of an RFID tag in a housing of a metal part;

[41] [Fig.17] shows a schematic view of an RFID tag in a housing of a metal part according to another configuration.

[42] In these figures, identical elements use the same reference signs.

[43] The following embodiments are examples. Even though the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features only apply to a single embodiment. Simple features of various embodiments also can be combined or interchanged in order to provide other embodiments.

[44] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a metal part and a tool for installing an RFID tag in a housing of the metal part.

[45] The tool for installing an RFID tag is configured to be used in a machine for machining metal parts. The tool is intended to be mounted on a toolholder of the machining machine so as to be able to be used by a robot of the machining machine.

[46] Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective and section view of an embodiment of an installation tool 1. The installation tool 1 comprises a standard fixing device 3 disposed at a first end la of the installation tool 1 and configured to engage with a fitting of the toolholder (not shown). The standard fixing device 3 has, for example, a fitting 5 of general conical shape comprising a collar 7, on the periphery of which a trough 9 is provided. The toolholder for its part comprises a spindle matching the conical fitting 5 and configured to fix onto the collar 7, for example, by snap-fitting.

[47] The standard fixing device 3 not only allows the toolholder to be fixed to the installation tool 1, but also allows the installation tool 1 to be supplied with fluid via the toolholder. To this end, the standard fixing device 3 comprises, for example, a central through-orifice 11 configured to receive the fluid, generally compressed air or pressurized oil.

[48] The installation tool 1 also comprises a device 13 for installing an RFID tag disposed at a second end lb of the installation tool, opposite the first end la. [49] The installation device 13 comprises:

- a means for inserting an RFID tag 43 into a housing 202 of a metal part 200; and

- a reader/recorder 40 (shown in figures 9 and 10) configured to communicate with the RFID tags 43 (shown in figure 10) and to record data associated with said metal part 200, in which the RFID tag 43 is installed.

[50] 1) First embodiment

[51] a) Insertion means

[52] The insertion means comprises an insertion fitting 15 for RFID tags 43 (shown in figures 10 and 16 and 17), which projects from the second end lb of the installation tool 13. The insertion fitting 15 is configured to be introduced into the housing 202 of the metal part 200 (shown in figures 16 and 17) that is intended to receive the RFID tag 43 (or alternatively to be disposed facing the housing 202). The RFID tag 43 has, for example, a general cylindrical shape and the housing 202 has, for example, a shape that substantially matches the RFID tag 43. The insertion fitting 15 has, for example, a tubular shape and is disposed so as to extend from a tubular shaped orifice 17, in which a piston 19, also called pusher, is disposed that can move between a first position (shown in figure 1), called reloading position, of an RFID tag 43, in which position the piston 19 is remote from the insertion fitting 15 and a second position (shown in figure 2), called insertion position, of the RFID tag 43, in which position the piston 19 reaches the insertion fitting 15 in order to push an RFID tag 43 and to allow it to be inserted into the housing 202 of the metal part 200.

[53] The insertion means also comprises a magazine 21 (more clearly shown in figures 3 and 4) comprising a plurality of tubular receptacles 210 evenly disposed around a longitudinal axis D of the installation device 13 and intended to receive a plurality of RFID tags 43 disposed one behind the other in a tubular receptacle 210.

[54] The insertion means also comprises a barrel 23 rotationally mounted around the longitudinal axis D of the installation device 13 and disposed at one end of the magazine 21. The barrel 23 comprises a plurality of chambers formed by through cavities and evenly disposed around the longitudinal axis D of the installation device 13 and intended to respectively face the receptacles 210 of the magazine 21 and the tubular orifice 17 of the insertion means. The chambers are intended to receive an RFID tag 43 originating from a receptacle 210 of the magazine 21. The receptacles 210 comprise, for example, a resilient element, such as a helical spring, configured to urge the RFID tags 43 disposed in a receptacle 210 towards the end where the barrel 23 is located.

[55] Furthermore, the rotation movement of the barrel 23 and the translation movement of the piston 19 are linked by a mechanical device, so that, when the piston 19 moves from the first position to the second position, the barrel 23 is pivoted by a predetermined angle, so that one of the chambers of the barrel 23 comprising an RFID tag 43 faces the tubular orifice 17 in order to be able to be pushed by the piston 19 through the insertion fitting 15.

[56] The translation movement is obtained by at least one actuator 25, for example, a pneumatic actuator in the case whereby the installation tool 1 is supplied with compressed air (compressed air is, for example, received via the central through- orifice 11, then distributed towards the actuators 25 by an adapter 27) or a hydraulic actuator in the case whereby the installation tool 1 is supplied with pressurized oil. In figures 1 and 2, two pneumatic actuators 25 are shown and allow a translation movement to be obtained, in particular of the piston 19.

[57] The translation movement of the piston 19 is, for example, obtained by a system of the screw/nut type, in which the fixing device 3 is rotated by the spindle of the toolholder, whilst the actuators 25 are rotationally blocked by a fixed part of the machining machine, the relative rotation of the elements rotationally linked to the fixing device 3 and the elements rotationally linked to the actuators 25 thus causes the translation movement of the elements rotationally linked to the fixing device, and in particular the piston 19.

[58] The rotary movement driving the barrel 23 is, for example, obtained by engagement between a pin or a ball 26 and a groove 28 having sections that are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis D of the installation tool 1. The inclined sections correspond to a series of V shapes, with the number of V shapes being determined as a function of the number of chambers of the barrel 23. The pin or ball 26 is, for example, movably linked (translation movement) to the piston 19 and the groove 28 is, for example, provided on a cylindrical drive axis 29 rotationally linked to the barrel 23. The drive axis 29 is, for example, rotationally guided by two bearings produced as roller bearings 30. Figure 5 shows an example of such a drive axis 29. The shape of the groove 28 is determined so that when the piston 19 transitions from the second position to the first position, then returns to the second position, the barrel 23 has pivoted by an angle that corresponds to the angle between two adjacent receptacles 210, for example, by 60° in the case of a magazine comprising five receptacles 210 and a tubular orifice 17, as in the present case.

[59] At the second end lb of the installation tool 1, a closure element 31 closes the magazine 21 and keeps the barrel 23 in position. The insertion fitting 15 is, for example, integrally formed with the closure element 31. The closure element 31, more clearly shown in figure 6, has, for example, a circular shape and comprises a plurality of through-orifices 310 (six in the present case, counting the orifice located at the insertion fitting 15) intended to face the receptacles 210 and the tubular orifice 17. Furthermore, pivoting closure flaps 33 can be positioned on the closure element 31, as shown in figures 7 and 8. These flaps 33 are, for example, urged by resilient elements or by magnets to seal the end of the receptacles 210 and can be manually pivoted by an operator to release the access to the receptacles 210 and allow the receptacles 210 to be filled with RFID tags 43.

[60] In the example of figures 6 to 8, the flaps 33 are retained by magnets intended to be positioned in a dedicated housing 35 and can be pivoted individually by an operator via a key, such as an Allen key 6 configured to be inserted into a matching orifice 37 of the flap 33.

[61] b) Reader/recorder

[62] The installation tool 1 also comprises a reader/recorder 40, shown in figures 9 and 10 and configured to record data in the RFID tag 43 that is associated with the metal part 200 when the part is disposed in the machining machine, for example, when it is installed in a housing 202 of the metal part. The reader/recorder 40 particularly comprises an RFID antenna 41 disposed in the vicinity of the insertion fitting 15 of the installation tool 1 and configured to communicate with the RFID tag 43 via the emission of radio waves. As shown in figure 10, the reader/recorder 40 also comprises a microcontroller 45, for example, of the Arduino TM type, in particular of the Arduino TM uno type. The microcontroller 45 is, for example, powered by a turbine 47 (or an electric motor, in particular of the direct current type) via a voltage rectifier 49. The reader/recorder 40 also comprises a device 51 for communicating with a control unit of the machine tool, for example, a transceiver of the “Bluetooth” type or of another type of short distance protocol based on exchanges of electromagnetic waves. This communication device 51 allows the information associated with the metal part to be received so that it can be recorded in the RFID tag 43 via the RFID antenna 41. The turbine 47 is driven by compressed air supplied by the toolholder and is configured to convert the mechanical energy supplied by the compressed air into electrical energy. Alternatively, the turbine 47 can be driven by another pressurized fluid, such as oil. In the case of an electric motor, said motor can be powered by accumulation means, such as batteries or cells. The various elements of the reader/recorder 40 can be connected by cables or can be disposed on a common printed circuit (some elements can be disposed on a printed circuit and the others can be connected by cables).

[63] Furthermore, it is also possible to use a turbine 47 as previously described to generate electrical power from a compressed gas or a pressurized fluid independently of the tool 1 for installing an RFID tag 43. The turbine 47 can be disposed, for example, on another tool of the machining tool that requires electrical power. Indeed, the use of such a turbine 47 in a tool of the machining machine allows direct electrical power to be supplied without requiring regular maintenance, as in the case of a cell or battery that needs to be regularly changed or recharged. This allows the number of manipulations to be reduced that are needed by an operator in order to use the machining machine, allows the shutdown times of the machining machine to be limited and avoids the limitation associated with planning machine maintenance (at the end of the lifetime of the cells or when the charge of the battery is below a predefined threshold). Furthermore, such a solution can be applied to any tool of a machining tool, since said machining tool always comprises a device for compressed air or for another pressurized fluid.

[64] In practice, the information associated with the metal part 200 is substantially recorded when the RFID tag 43 is installed, for example, just before its installation, when the RFID tag 43 is positioned on the insertion fitting 15 or, preferably, just after its installation when the RFID tag 43 is placed in the housing 202 of the metal part 200

[65] In order to allow radio frequency communication between the reader/recorder 40 and the RFID tag 43 when said tag is positioned in the housing 202 of the metal part 200, the RFID tag 43 can include a portion that projects out of the housing 202, as shown in figure 16. The projecting portion has, for example, a height h of 1 mm. Alternatively or in combination, the edge of the housing 202 can have a flared shape that is produced, for example, by a 45° chamfer, as shown in figure 17.

[66] Furthermore, the RFID tag 43 is, for example, force-fitted into the housing 202 of the metal part 200. Alternatively, the RFID tag 43 can be adhered in the housing 202 of the metal part 200.

[67] c) Operation

[68] During operation, the toolholder of the machining machine is configured, after having machined the metal part 200 and provided a housing in the metal part 200 for an RFID tag 43, in order to engage with the installation tool 1. To this end, the toolholder couples with the installation tool 1 at the standard fixing device 3. Once the installation tool 1 is fixed on the toolholder, said toolholder is configured to move the installation tool 1 up to the machined metal part 200, in which a housing 202 is provided. The installation tool 1 is positioned by the toolholder so that the insertion fitting 15 is facing and in the vicinity of, even in contact with, the inlet of the housing 202 provided in the metal part 200. When the installation tool 1 is in position, the toolholder is configured to supply compressed air (or another pressurized fluid) to the installation tool 1, which allows, on the one hand, the turbine 47 to be driven to power the reader/recorder and, on the other hand, the one or more actuator(s) 25 to be activated and cause the fixing device 3 to rotate. This activation causes the piston 19 to move in the tubular orifice 17 towards the barrel 23. Said barrel is also rotated via the ball 26-groove 28 assembly, so that an RFID tag 43 originating from the magazine 21 is positioned in the tubular orifice 17. The piston 19 then comes into contact with the RFID tag 43 positioned in the tubular orifice 17, then moves the RFID tag 43 to the housing 202 provided in the metal part 200 via the passage through the insertion fitting 15. The movement of the piston 19 allows forcible insertion of the RFID tag 43 into the housing 202 of the metal part 200 (alternatively the RFID tag 43 can be fixed in the housing 202 by adhesion). Once the RFID tag 43 is inserted into its housing 202, the reader/recorder 40 powered by the turbine 47 records the information in the RFID marker 43 that is associated with the metal part and is transmitted by the machining machine. The piston 19 is also moved to the first position. Thus, the RFID tag 43 is installed in the metal part 200 and the information associated with the metal part 200 is recorded in the RFID tag 43 when it is installed, which allows the risks of error in the recorded information to be reduced. The information associated with the metal part and recorded in the RFID tag 43 includes, for example, one or more of the following fields:

- a reference number;

- a manufacturing date;

- a manufacturing method;

- a manufacturing site;

- a manufacturing machine reference;

- a machining tool reference;

- dimensions of the part;

- a maintenance schedule.

Other fields clearly also can be recorded. Furthermore, when assembling an item of equipment comprising a set of metal parts 200, such as a vacuum pump, an RFID tag 43 can be installed in each metal part 200 and an additional RFID tag, also called master RFID tag, can be installed in a housing that can be accessed when the item of equipment is in the mounted state, for example, mounted on a protective cover. This master RFID tag comprises, for example, all the information recorded in the various RFID tags 43 that have been installed in the various parts, and in particular the metal parts 200 forming the item of equipment. This master RFID tag thus allows access to the different information recorded in the various RFID tags 43, without needing to disassemble the various parts of the item of equipment. The master RFID tag can be identical to the other RFID tags 43 or can include a greater capacity.

[69] 2) Second embodiment

[70] According to a second embodiment shown in figures 11 and 12, the installation tool 1 comprises neither actuators nor a mechanical assembly based on the screw/nut principle, but the piston 19 is translationally driven directly by compressed air or pressurized fluid. To this end, the central orifice 1G emerges in the tubular orifice 17, in which the piston 19 is positioned, so that the supply of compressed air (or pressurized fluid) of the installation tool 1 via the central orifice 1G causes the piston 19 to move from the first position, shown in figure 11, to the second position, shown in figure 12. The return of the piston 19 from the second position to the first position is, for example, implemented by a resilient element, for example, a helical spring (not shown) disposed in the tubular orifice, which spring is configured to urge the piston 19 to the first position in the absence of compressed air (or pressurized fluid). Alternatively, the return to the first position can be obtained by a supply of compressed air (or of pressurized fluid) at the other end of the tubular orifice 17. A drain line 12 can be provided between the tubular orifice 17 and the outside of the installation tool 1 to avoid excess pressures (in the case of a compressed air installation tool 1). The installation tool 1 also can be identical to the previously described first embodiment.

[71] 3) Third embodiment

[72] According to a third embodiment, not shown, the installation tool 1 does not comprise actuators but comprises a rod-crank assembly connected to the output shaft of the turbine 47. The rod-crank assembly allows the rotation movement of the output shaft of the turbine 47 to be converted into a translation movement and thus cause the piston 19 to move between the first and second positions. The other aspects of the installation tool 1 are, for example, similar to the first previously described embodiment.

[73] 4) Fourth embodiment

[74] According to a fourth embodiment, the installation tool 1 differs from the preceding embodiments in that it does not comprise a barrel 23, but comprises a device 50 for loading an RFID tag 43 by translation movement at the tubular orifice 17, shown in figures 13 and 14. In this fourth embodiment, the magazine 2G comprises a single tubular shaped receptacle 210’ configured to receive a plurality of RFID tags 43. The receptacle 210’ extends, for example, parallel to the tubular orifice 17. A slot 211 is provided between a first end 210’a of the receptacle 210’ and the tubular orifice 17 to allow an RFID tag 43 to transition from the receptacle 210’ to the tubular orifice 17. The installation tool 1 also comprises a tab 212 that can translationally move in a direction transverse to the axis of the tubular orifice 17, between a rest position, in which the tab 212 extends out of the tubular orifice 17 and the receptacle 210’, as shown in figure 13, and a loading position where the tab 212 extends through the receptacle 210’ up to the tubular orifice 17, as shown in figure 14. Furthermore, the receptacle can also comprise a resilient element (not shown), configured to urge the RFID tags 43 to the first end of the receptacle 210’. The resilient element is, for example, implemented by a helical spring disposed at the second end 210’b of the receptacle 210’. The tab 212 is therefore configured, when it transitions from the rest position to the loading position, to move an RFID tag 43 disposed in the receptacle 210’ at the first end 210’a towards the tubular orifice 17. The movement of the tab 212 between the rest and loading positions is, for example, implemented by a pneumatic actuator 25’ that is powered by compressed air. Alternatively, a hydraulic actuator powered by pressurized oil also can be used.

[75] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a metal part 200 particularly comprising a step of machining the metal part 200 in a machining machine and a step of recording data relating to the metal part in an RFID tag installed on the metal part. The method can also comprise a step of installing the RFID tag 43, for example, using an installation tool 1 as previously described. The installation of the RFID tag 43 occurs inside the machining machine. Thus, the part is machined and the RFID tag 43 is installed in the part at the end of machining. The housing provided in the metal part and configured to receive the RFID tag 43 can be produced during machining or prior to machining. Alternatively, the RFID tag can be installed on the metal part before it is introduced into the machining machine.

[76] Thus, the data relating to the metal part 200 are stored in the RFID tag 43 installed in said metal part 200 when the metal part is disposed in the machining machine. Thus, when the metal part exits the machining machine, it is ready to be assembled with other parts to complete the assembly of an item of equipment, such as a vacuum pump.

[77] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a metal part 200 and to a method for assembling an item of equipment comprising a plurality of parts, at least one of which is manufactured according to said method.

[78] The various steps of the method for manufacturing a metal part 200 and of the assembly method will now be described in detail on the basis of the flowchart of figure 15.

[79] The first step 101 relates to the machining of a metal part 200. To this end, the rough part, for example, a block of aluminium, is placed in a machining machine, for example, a numerical control machine, comprising a toolholder configured to select a tool from a tool store and to machine the part from the selected tool and from commands entered into the machine by an operator. The toolholder is configured to carry out a sequence of machining steps from one or from a plurality of tools selected to complete the desired metal part 200. The toolholder can include a compressed air supply. The first step 101 can also comprise the formation of a housing 202 intended to receive an RFID tag 43. The size and the shape of the housing 202 are selected, for example, as a function of the size and of the shape of the RFID tag 43 and of the retention means selected for retaining the RFID tag 43 in the housing 202. Furthermore, the housing 202 can comprise at least one lateral clearance emerging relative to the location of the RFID tag 43 to allow RF communication between an RFID tag 43 installed in the housing 202 and a reader/recorder located nearby. The housing 202 has, for example, a flared shape that is particularly produced by a 45° chamfer.

[80] The second step 102 relates to the installation of an RFID tag 43 in the housing 202 provided in the machined metal part 200. For this second step 102, the metal part 200 is therefore always positioned in the machining machine and the toolholder is configured to select the previously described installation tool 1.

[81] The toolholder then positions the installation tool 1, and particularly the insertion fitting 15, facing the housing intended to receive the RFID tag 43. The toolholder is then configured to activate the one or more actuators 25, 25’ of the installation tool 1 to allow the piston 19 to move in the tubular orifice 17, as well as to allow the barrel 23 to rotate to allow the RFID tag 43 to move up to the housing 202 provided in the metal part 200. The RFID tag 43 is, for example, forcibly inserted into the housing 202 by the piston 19 of the installation tool 1. Other types of installation tool also can be used.

[82] Alternatively, the RFID tag 43 can be installed in the metal part 200 prior to machining. In this case, the method does not comprise step 102, which therefore is an optional step.

[83] The third step 103, which can be implemented at the same time as step 102, relates to recording data in the RFID tag 43 that is associated with the machined metal part. The toolholder is configured to drive the turbine 47 via the compressed air supply, which allows the reader/recorder 40 of the installation tool 1 to be supplied, so that the reader/recorder 40 can recover the data associated with the machined metal part 200 via the Bluetooth connection with the control unit of the machining machine. Alternatively, this data recovery can be implemented beforehand. The reader/recorder 40 is then configured to transfer this data to the installed RFID tag 43. The data corresponds, for example, to the previously described data (reference number, manufacturing dates, manufacturing method, etc.). Other types of power supply for the reader/recorder 40 also can be used.

[84] In the event of prior installation of the RFID tag 43, a simple reader/recorder can be used to transfer the data associated with the metal part 200 to the RFID tag.

[85] Steps 101 to 103 therefore relate to the method for manufacturing a metal part 200. Thus, these steps 101 to 103 are repeated for the various metal parts 200 of the item of equipment that must be machined.

[86] The following steps relate to a method for assembling parts, at least one of which is manufactured according to the method described in steps 101 to 103.

[87] When the various metal parts 200 are machined, step 104 corresponds to the assembly of the various parts, in particular the machined metal parts obtained from steps 101 to 103 to form the item of equipment, for example, a vacuum pump.

[88] Step 105 is an optional step and relates to the installation of an additional RFID tag, called master RFID tag, in a housing of the item of equipment allowing communication with a reader/recorder 40 when the equipment is in the mounted state. The installation is, for example, implemented by force-fitting in a dedicated housing of the cover of the item of equipment.

[89] Step 106 relates to recording data in the master RFID tag that is associated with a plurality of machined metal parts forming the item of equipment, so as to be able to access this data without having to disassemble the item of equipment. The data recorded in the master RFID tag can correspond to a portion or to all the data recorded in the various metal parts forming the item of equipment. Other data items also can be recorded in the master RFID tag.

[90] Thus, recording data in an RFID tag 43 that relates to a metal part 200 installed in a metal part 200 when the part is positioned in a machining machine allows more reliable tagging and traceability of the parts to be obtained, since the risk of recording incorrect data or of deleting data is reduced. Furthermore, the use of an installation tool 1 compatible with a toolholder of the machining machine, and for which the electronic part does not require an additional power supply compared to the other tools of the machining machine, allows easy installation of the RFID tag 43 to be obtained, as well as simple and reliable recording in the RFID tag 43 of the data that is associated with the metal part 200.