Zebra FX9600 Fixed RFID Reader

The Zebra FX9600 is a fixed UHF RFID reader with four or eight antenna ports, Power over Ethernet and an IP53 die-cast housing. It has four inputs and four outputs for lights, sensors and gates. Models: FX9600-4 (four antenna ports) and FX9600-8 (eight antenna ports).

Price on request · Request a quote or call (+356) 2138 5911 · Download Spec Sheet

We supply, set up and support Zebra RFID readers in Malta.

Pallets often leave a loading bay faster than anyone can scan them. The Zebra FX9600 fixed RFID reader records each tagged pallet and case as it passes a door, a conveyor or a gate, with no one holding a scanner. It sits near the opening and connects to four or eight antennas. On PoE, one network cable carries both data and power. The antennas decide where tags are read. As a Zebra RFID Specialist, we build the read point around the reader. If the reader is part of a wider warehouse project, see our warehouse automation work or the Zebra range.

What is the Zebra FX9600 for?

The Zebra FX9600 is for places where tagged goods pass a fixed point, such as a dock door or a conveyor. In logistics and warehousing it records receiving, putaway, picking and shipping as tagged pallets and cases move past its antennas, and Zebra names it for high-volume traffic. In manufacturing Zebra names it for asset tracking. Zebra also uses the FX9600 inside its own RFID portals and its conveyor tunnel.

How Sirap builds a read point around the FX9600

The Zebra FX9600 reads only where its antennas point. The reader is supplied without antennas, so we choose them for your opening.

Antennas chosen for the opening. The FX9600-4 takes four external antennas and the FX9600-8 takes eight, on reverse-polarity TNC ports. More ports let you cover a wider door or more lanes. Zebra makes external antennas in several shapes for different read zones. Its brochure lists sealed panels for dock doors and a compact sealed antenna for conveyor belts. Low-profile panels fit under a counter or within shelving.

Read range comes from a test. The tag, what is on the pallet (metal and liquids are the hard cases) and the antenna positions decide how well a door reads. Zebra’s spec sheet gives no read range or tag rate for the FX9600, so the range at your door comes from a test with your own tagged goods.

Inputs and outputs for lights, sensors and gates. The FX9600 has four inputs and four outputs, optically isolated, on a terminal block. The inputs take signals from sensors at the door; the outputs can switch a stack light or open a gate when the right tag passes.

Zebra FX9600 power, housing and connections

The Zebra FX9600 takes its power and data over one network cable on PoE, or runs from a 24 V DC supply, and works from -20°C to +55°C.

Power over one network cable. The FX9600 takes Power over Ethernet (802.3af), PoE+ (802.3at) or a 24 V DC supply. Zebra’s sheet gives conducted power of up to +33.0 dBm on PoE+ and up to +31.5 dBm on PoE. The legal output in the EU also depends on the antennas and local limits, which we check at the survey. Check whether your switch at the door provides PoE+ before the install.

Housing and radio. At 27.3 x 18.4 x 5.0 cm and about 2.13 kg, the housing is die-cast aluminium sealed to IP53, with multicolour status LEDs. It runs on the EU 865-868 MHz band and it has a maximum receive sensitivity of -86 dBm (monostatic).

Other connections and options. Besides 10/100 Ethernet the FX9600 has USB host and client ports and a DB9 serial port. Full USB functionality needs an external USB hub on configurations without one. Zebra lists a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dongle, a 4G LTE modem with GPS and a mount for forklifts and similar vehicles as options.

Managing the Zebra FX9600 and connecting it to your software

The Zebra FX9600 runs Linux and passes its reads to your warehouse or ERP software over the network.

Reads into your own systems. Zebra’s IoT Connector software sends reads on from the reader, and your developers can write host applications in .NET, C or Java against Zebra’s APIs. Small applications in C or Java can run on the FX9600 itself, close to the door.

Management and security. Firmware is upgraded through the web interface or remotely. MotionWorks Enterprise RFID Reader Management is Zebra’s reader management software. The FX9600 supports SNMP, IPv4 and IPv6, TLS 1.2 and FIPS-140.

Zebra FX9600 technical specifications

Download the Zebra FX9600 spec sheet (PDF)

Zebra FX9600 models and part codes

The Zebra FX9600 comes in the configurations below, and we pick the one that fits your work: four or eight antenna ports, where more ports let you cover a wider door or more lanes. Tell us the task and we specify the part code. Units are usually from stock or within a few days, depending on regional availability.

Antennas, cables and mounts are quoted with the reader once the survey has settled the build.

FX9600, FX7500 or ST5500: which reader fits your door?

The Zebra FX9600 fits an opening where the antennas are chosen and placed for the space. That covers a wide dock door, a conveyor, several lanes, or a gate with lights and barriers wired to the reader.

For one dock door where you also want to know whether goods went in or out, the Zebra ST5500 transition RFID reader is less work to install. Its reader and antennas come in one housing that hangs from the ceiling or fixes to a wall, and according to Zebra it reports the direction of travel. It is a large unit, about 1.2 m long and 10.4 kg.

The Zebra FX7500 is the smaller fixed reader with fewer connections. It has two or four antenna ports and two inputs and three outputs, measures 19.6 x 15.0 x 4.3 cm and weighs 0.86 kg. Zebra’s sheet gives no IP rating. It suits a stockroom door or a shelf bay indoors, where four antennas are enough.

The Zebra FX9600 is sealed to IP53 and rated from -20°C, so it belongs indoors or under cover. For an outdoor gate, a quay or a yard, or a freezer colder than -20°C, Zebra’s FXR90 (IP65 and IP67, down to -40°C) is the fixed reader to ask about. If you need the position of a tagged item inside a hall as well as the fact that it passed a door, look at the overhead Zebra ATR7000 RFID locationing reader.

What Sirap does with an FX9600 order

We survey the door, conveyor or gate and test with your own tagged goods before we quote. The FX9600 version and the antennas follow from that test, and we fix where each antenna goes. We mount, cable and commission the reader and antennas ourselves, wire any stack lights, sensors or gates to its inputs and outputs, and test the reads at handover. After that we support the read point locally, and we quote Zebra OneCare service plans with the FX9600.

Frequently asked questions about the FX9600

Can the FX9600 send reads to our warehouse management or ERP system?

Yes. The Zebra FX9600 connects over Ethernet and passes reads on through Zebra’s IoT Connector, or through an application written against Zebra’s .NET, C or Java APIs. Tell us which WMS or ERP receives the reads and we will advise on the connection.

Who supports the FX9600 in Malta?

We do. We install the Zebra FX9600 and its antennas in Malta and support the read point locally after handover. The FX9600 carries Zebra’s 12-month warranty from shipment, and we quote Zebra OneCare service plans with the FX9600.

How soon can we have an FX9600?

The Zebra FX9600 is usually from stock or within a few days, depending on regional availability. The site survey and the choice of antennas come first, and the survey sets the date.

Talk to a Sirap engineer about the FX9600

Tell us the opening (door, conveyor or gate), what the tags are on and where the reads should go. We will plan the survey and specify the FX9600 and its antennas.

Request a quote for the Zebra FX9600 read point or call (+356) 2138 5911 · Price on request