Packaging
RF-LoopTag Smart Labels made of paper and Aluminium foil
Wednesday 30. September 2009 - Brussels: bielomatik Neuffen/Germany presents at Label Expo "Excellence in RFID/Transponder Processing". Based on more than ten years of experience in machine design for Smart Label Manufacturing, bielomatik presents the advanced chip module
RF-LoopTag for UHF Inlays and Smart Labels.
RF-LoopTag is a miniature Smart Label intended for the frequency band between 840 and 960 MHz, in size of a postage stamp. The stand-alone read range of RF-Looptag is restricted to the near field ( up to three inches ), mainly serving as an electronic seal for retail security applications at Item Level.
RF-LoopTag consists of a small loop antenna (primary antenna) with a silicon chip directly attached. The primary antenna is designed to accommodate optimal impedance matching with the used semiconductor circuitry, offering a high Q-factor resonant circuit. The antenna making process can be etching, printing or die cutting. An inexpensive pre-converting process, applying a release liner, adhesive and a printed or blank cover material, transforms RF-LoopTags into Smart Labels with very small dimensions.
Due to the excellent form factor of the primary antenna RF-LoopTag can be efficiently manufactured in high density at lowest possible unit cost. Since RF-LoopTag is a pressure sensitive label, it can be further processed either manually or automated with labellers or converting equipment.
The superior features of RF-Looptag over other UHF concepts become evident, if it is placed in proximity of a bigger UHF antenna (secondary antenna), forming a wideband Smart Label with a long read range. This effect occurs due to a reliable contactless magnetic coupling effect between the primary and secondary antenna. Different customized secondary antenna designs can accommodate numerous application needs without changing the actual chip module which is the most expensive and sensitive part of the system. It is also possible to use covert secondary antenna designs as the magnetic coupling easily allows penetrating through the layer thickness of label substrates and even cardboard materials. The secondary antenna making process can also be etching, printing or die cutting. Even special RFID applications on metal surfaces are possible with RF-Looptag , by using slot antennas.
Long range inlay production becomes more simple, reliable and risk-free and can be done at very high processing speeds: RF-LoopTags are directly affixed to the secondary antenna as self-adhesive labels without the need of a conductive joint. With a so called in-pitch converting process UHF inlays are produced by laminating a continuous RF-LoopTag web with secondary antennas with the same pitch as the RF-LoopTags, whereas in an off-pitch mode pressure sensitive RF-LoopTags are cut and attached in register on top of the secondary antennas.
RF-Looptag has the power to enable the magic “Five Cent RFID Tag” in the near future by selecting suitable low cost materials, from chip to die cut Aluminium foil antennas and the new high speed manufacturing process from bielomatik.
Smart Label manufacturers are now able to tap a much higher value added with secondary antenna manufacturing, inlay production and the Smart Label converting process, all on one machine – from bielomatik.
Our contribution for a more environmentally friendly RFID industry: Smart Labels made from paper and aluminium