Converter Guidebook
2 likes1,132 views
This document provides an overview of RFID technology and converting RFID labels. It discusses how RFID is increasingly being used for tracking goods and the opportunities this presents for printers and converters. It outlines the machine and process modifications needed to produce RFID labels, such as avoiding hard nips and using antistatic materials. The document also covers best practices for handling, testing, and packaging RFID labels.
Converter Guidebook
- 1. Enter the wide world of RFID. A guidebook for converters.
- 2. 2
- 3. Seize opportunities with RFID RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is increasingly The fact that RFID is continuously expanding into new markets means new business used to identify, track and trace all kinds of commodities. Em- for printers and converters. Just think about the many opportunities this opens up bedding label information in an integrated circuit (IC) instead for you. of using printed formats has proven to be extremely useful. No wonder that all kinds of businesses and industries worldwide RFID requires production modifications are shifting to this technology. RFID tags are electronic devices which need to be handled in the correct way. To become a reliable RFID label supplier, it is necessary to make some new invest- RFID end-use application areas include: ments and machine modifications to your existing label converting process. You also Supply chain management need to optimize your working environment and conditions to match RFID production Airline baggage handling and postal services needs. Emphasis is also placed on quality control and the replacement or marking of Industrial applications faulty labels. And, of course, you need to train your employees properly. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare Library and media management But what is RFID actually? What kind of process modifications do you need? We Apparel and brand protection supply RFID tags and inlays, which have the right answers ready for you in this Mass transit and event ticketing very brochure. NFC (Near Field Communication) applications 3
- 4. Delivery formats: Tag: Die-cut web with adhesive, paper face Wet inlay: Die-cut web with adhesive, film face Dry inlay: Continuous web, no adhesive, film face UHF and HF RFID inlays by SMARTRAC 4
- 5. RFID is a means of identifying objects via radio frequency transmission. The most common frequencies used are High (HF) and Ultra High (UHF). A typical RFID system comprises a tag, a reader and a host system. The host manages the information RFID flow, sending and receiving information to and from the reader and the tag. We manufacture inlays based on passive RFID technology. This means there is no internal power supply or battery. The power required to energize the inlay comes from the reader unit’s antenna. The inlay’s ability to utilize energy efficiently from the reader RF field is based on the well-known electrical resonance effect. Compared to a bar code system, RFID technology offers substantial benefits. The most important benefit is that end users what’s it all can track and trace items faster and more accurately without a line of sight. about? HF and UHF – making the right choice Depending on the country of use, HF (High Frequency) inlays work at 13.56 MHz and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) at 860– 960 MHz. The HF operating range is usually less than 30 cm or 12” while UHF can operate at significantly longer distances. Besides the difference in the operating frequency or environment, the choice is also made based on the product types. Label and inlay – what’s the difference? An RFID label or tag is attached to the product. The functional portion of the RFID label is an inlay consisting of an antenna to which a chip is attached. Typically supplied on a carrier, it is called a dry inlay. If adhesive is added, it is called a wet inlay. HF and UHF RFID frequencies: Parameter HF (High Frequency) UHF (Ultra High Frequency) Frequency range 13.56 MHz 860-960 MHz Standards ISO15693, ISO18000-3, ISO14443 (A/B) ISO18000-6C, EPC Class 1 Gen2 Read range Up to 1 m Up to 14 m 5
- 6. It pays 6
- 7. to turn to an expert SMARTRAC is the leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of RFID transponders and inlays for a broad range of applications in all current frequency standards. SMARTRAC was founded in 2000, went public in July 2006, and trades as a stock corporation under Dutch law with its registered headquarters in Amsterdam. The company currently employs approximately 3,500 employees and maintains a global research and development, production, and sales network. Innovativeness is at your fingertips We can supply you with LF, HF and UHF inlays. You are welcome to benefit from extensive experience in numerous antenna designs and strong capabilities in RF engineering. Our exper- tise in materials science, labelling, laminates and adhesives is also at your disposal. We have a proven track record in developing innovative solutions that enable large-scale applications. [email protected] www.smartrac-group.com 7
- 8. Changing the working environment In order to avoid IC damage due to static electricity, and also contribute to the well- being of your employees, the following changes can be made to your working en- vironment: Coat the floor with an antistatic layer, at least on the working platforms Check the air humidity 40-60% RH / 20–24°C If you do not have air conditioning in your production facility, isolate your RFID department and install up-to-date air conditioning in that area All employees should wear ESD (electrostatic discharge) clothing and shoes Every time someone touches a roll of inlays, he or she should be grounded 8
- 9. Some tips for handling inlay rolls Do not open the inlay roll package unnecessarily Open the package only in the RFID facility Do not touch the IC side of the inlay if you are not connected to the ground Try to use the whole roll in one pass If using the whole roll is not possible, put the roll back into the original package, seal it and take it back to storage Do not damage or drop the roll Always keep inlay reels on their side Do not lay rolls on top of inlays Inspect roll and document reel number and yield prior to converting Review inlay specification for delivery format 9
- 10. What converting methods can be used? On-pitch converting from dry inlays Waste liner Dry inlays Face material Waste matrix RFID labels Lamination Die-cutting RFID inlays can be easily broken during the label converting process, so they must be handled with care. Metallic or conductive materials are not suitable for RFID Waste liner Adhesive package/hotmelt adhesive labels as they may weaken RF performance. On-pitch converting from dry inlays Off-pitch converting from wet inlays (upsizing) Waste liner Waste liner Face material Face material Waste matrix Waste matrix Lamination Die-cutting Dry inlays Wet inlays Dispensing unit RFID labels RFID labels Lamination Die-cutting Waste liner Adhesive package/hotmelt adhesive Waste liner Release liner Two different converting methods can be used. With ‘on-pitch’ converting, the With ‘off-pitch’ converting, the wet inlays are often already die-cut. The individual Off-pitch converting from wet inlays (upsizing) Off-pitch converting from drythe release liner to match with the final product pitch. dry inlay reel does not necessarily have to be die-cut. The continuous dry inlay inlays are then dispensed to inlays web is first Waste liner together with the backing and face material. The RFID laminated Next, the face material is laminated onto the top of the inlays, and after that the Waste liner labels are then die-cut from the laminated web. RFID labels are die-cut. Another off-pitch method of converting dispenses the Face material Face material Waste liner Waste matrix inlays to be laminated Dry inlay Inlay inserting in die-cut labels. Waste matrix Lamination Die-cutting Wet inlays Dispensing unit RFID labels 10 RFID labels Adhesive package/hotmelt adhesive Lamination Die-cutting
- 11. Lamination Die-cutting What Waste liner Adhesive package/hotmelt adhesive Off-pitch converting from wet inlays (upsizing) Waste liner Face material Waste matrix Wet inlays Dispensing unit Lamination Die-cutting machine modifications are needed? RFID labels To meet the needs of RFID inlay inserting, it is necessary to modify your standard label converting process. The changes needed in the printing machines with on-line inserting units, Waste liner Release liner slitting machines, sheet cutters and label dispensers include the following: Avoid hard nips. Coat all rubber rollers with soft, antistatic or conductive Off-pitch converting from dry inlays rubber (50 +/− 5 Shore A) Waste liner All hard-nip rollers touching the IC in the inlay must be grooved to prevent the IC from Face material breaking due to high pressure Waste liner Dry inlay Inlay inserting Waste matrix Use conductive grease in the bearings Use ESD prevention devices such as carbon fiber brushes and ionized air blowers The machines must be well grounded RFID labels Adhesive package/hotmelt adhesive Die-cutting Never use corona on labelstock with inlays Lamination The diameter of all steel and rubber rolls should be a minimum of 50 mm to eliminate IC breakage due to overly sharp bending Measure ESD in process ESD level must be less than 2 kV It is also possible to use continuous dry inlays for off-pitch converting by using an inserting unit. The dry inlay web is first cut and applied to the release liner with For more information, see our product specifications. adhesive to match the final product pitch. Next, the face material is laminated to the top of the inlays, and after that the RFID labels are die-cut. All inlays are tested before delivery to the customer. Any non-functioning tags can be marked. 11
- 12. How to imprint and encode RFID labels? When imprinting Variable Information Printing (VIP) RFID labels, use: An inkjet in the printing press or during dispensing Some modified direct thermal (DT) or thermal transfer printers (TTR) Dye diffusion thermal transfer (D2T2) Note Testing Do not use a laser due to high corona and sharp bending around small-diameter rollers unless the laser has been designed for RFID printing Do not use a VIP printer with high nip pressure if rollers are not grooved It is recommended to have two inline testing points: one before and another after processing. The yield loss of the process can be calculated at these points. Yield Encoding an IC can be carried out during the imprinting process or in loss can be caused by, for example, ESD or mechanical stress. a separate unit. The functionality of the tag can be tested either with a commercial reader-based system or specially designed testing equipment. The reader system has to be de- signed in such a way that only the desired inlay is read, and only one inlay at a time. Failed tags can be replaced or just marked, depending on customer needs. 12
- 13. How to handle and pack RFID products? Please note the following instructions: Handling Handle the product with care Finish and pack the product directly after inserting When stored, hang the reel from the core or place it on a pallet with a soft underlay Do not stack pallets Always keep inlay reels on their side Do not roll mother rolls or ready coils on the floor, carry them or use a trolley Do not wind reels too tight Keep the working environment tidy and clean Do not stack too many RFID products on top of each other Packaging Use a strong package that protects the product well Lock coils with a center shaft or chucks to prevent them from gliding in the box during transport Packaging material must not create static electricity load when handled 13
- 14. What’s the difference between RFID and bar codes? The most significant advantage that RFID has over bar codes is that it does not have to be seen to be read. This makes it easier to track and update data as the product moves through the supply chain to the end-use application, and even beyond. Radio waves can pass through most non- metallic materials so RFID tags can be embedded in packaging or encased in protective plastic. This makes them more durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions. Since RFID is a read/write technology, data can be programmed also after the tag’s attachment RFIDat a glance to the product. This provides higher flexibility for tracking and data updating as the product goes through the supply chain. What is RFID? Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a generic term for tech- nologies that use radio waves to automatically identify objects. Information is encoded onto a tiny microchip within a thin RFID tag. Signals are received and transmitted through an antenna. 14
- 15. How is RFID being used today? The amount of RFID applications is virtually limitless. The most common uses today are in supply chain management to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management. The apparel industry uses RFID to manage worldwide supply chains from manufacturers through distributors to retailers. The pharmaceutical industry uses RFID to improve security by preventing theft and counterfeiting. Payment systems using RFID help ticketing and transportation services run smoothly, while retailers use it for eliminating out-of-stocks and for product promotions. What are the A glossary D2T2 Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer of RFID terms DT Direct Thermal Printer EPC Electronic Product Code proven benefits of ESD HF Electrostatic Discharge High Frequency RFID technology? IC NFC Integrated Circuit Near Field Communication RF Radio Frequency RFID offers numerous benefits: it reduces administrative errors, labour costs and RFID Radio Frequency Identification theft. Industries using RFID are able to track work-in-process and achieve just- TTR Thermal Transfer Printer in-time manufacturing. RFID improves the accuracy in shipping goods by sea, UHF Ultra High Frequency land or air and in maintaining overall inventory levels. In hazardous areas or risky VIP Variable Information Printing environments, it is invaluable in boosting worker safety. 15