RFID - FAQ's

RFID - Technological Transformation

As the future continues to unfold, more and more businesses, governments, and people are becoming familiar with the benefits offered by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). This innovative technology is transforming the way many industries operate, and is set to create significant value for a growing number of businesses and consumers throughout the world.

RFID technology and implementation across many industries will have a profound affect on the label converting industry. The RFID section of this website is designed to provide the basics of RFID as it relates directly to the label converter and the converting industry. We hope you find the following information useful to you as the world moves toward RFID.

The evolution of RFID technology and its impact on the label converter is moving very rapidly. As change continues and the technology becomes more standard, Mark Andy will drive to provide leadership and solutions to the label printers and converter businesses.

What is a RFID inlay?
What type of RFID inlay should I use for my application?
What is an RFID reader?
What is an RFID encoder?
What are RFID standards?
What RFID Solutions does Mark Andy sell today?
What is the future of RFID and RFID converting?

What is a RFID inlay?

A RFID inlay, also known as a RFID transponder or RFID tag, is comprised of an RFID chip that is attached to an antenna. The RFID chip is shown below and houses the data. These components are then placed onto either a pressure sensitive or film carrier material. The RFID chip, antenna, and carrier assembly is known as a RFID inlay.

What type of RFID inlay should I use for my application?

There are several different types of RFID inlays available. How to choose the type of RFID inlay you need will be dependent on you and your customersÆ specific application. Different frequency antennas and different shaped antennas can read at different rates. These inlays will also perform differently depending on their particular operating environment. The primary differences between the RFID inlays are in frequency, size, antenna design, and carrier material.

Most inlays come in two frequencies, either high frequency (HF; 13.56 mHz) or ultra high frequency (UHF, 915 mHz). HF inlays have a read range of up to 1 meter and UHF inlays have a read range of up to 3 meters. Until recently, the primary focus of the RFID industry has been in the HF inlays. As the UHF standards are released and gain global acceptance, the use of UHF antenna inlays is expected to grow rapidly.

The following UHF inlays exist:

read-only (Type 0): inlays that contain permanent data
read-write (Type 0+): allows type 0 inlays to be written in real time
read-write (Type 1): inlays that can be written over by an encoder class 1, generation 2: inlays that will improve on global compliance, inlay throughput, inlay re-write-ability, security, privacy and robustness in high density reader environments.

The size of inlay you choose will be dependent on the type of antenna required for the application. The inlay must also be able to fit within each labelÆs unique design. In todayÆs climate, the inlays vary in size and dimension. The manufacturing goal will be to try and decrease the overall size of the inlay so that it can better fit within a standard packaging label.

A PET film and a pressure sensitive material are two of the most common types of materials used as carriers for RFID inlays. The type of material carrier used will depend on how you and your customer wish to incorporate the inlay onto or into the label.

What is an RFID reader?

A reader is a device used to extract and view the data that is encoded on to the RFID inlay and is dependant on the type of RFID inlay. The reader sends and receives a signal from the RFID inlay. The reader will use the signal it receives to determine each RFID inlayÆs or labelÆs unique code. There are many different locations on and off the press where you will want to position a reader. The purpose of an on-press reader is to determine how many functional RFID inlays were received from the vendor and how many of the labels produced contain functional RFID inlays. This is a ciritical step in quality control and verification.

What is an RFID encoder?

An encoder is a device used to write information on to a RFID inlay or finished label. In some cases the reader and encoder are within the same device. This device is known as a read/write unit. Typically, RFID inlays are purchased from the vendor with only generic information on the inlay. The encoder will be used once you are ready to write specific information onto the inlay. Due to the limited encoding speed, encoders are not typically located on in-line presses. Most of the encoding is done at the point of application onto the package during a product or items manufacturing process.

What are RFID standards?

The EPCglobal NetworkÃ has taken the lead in developing the international standards for the RFID business. These standards that have been developed by EPC (Electronic Product Code) are widely used and accepted by the RFID industry. Two standards (class 0 and class 1) exist for the RFID industry, however EPC is close to finalizing their UHF class 1, generation 2 standard. It is anticipated that this standard will be what drives global standardization of RFID technology.

The most current RFID standards are located at www.epcglobalinc.org

What RFID Solutions does Mark Andy sell today?

Mark Andy offers turnkey solutions that will allow the label converter to produce pressure sensitive labels, tags and packaging that contain RFID inlays.

One solution consists of a RFID inlay insertion unit, a RFID in-press reader, static elimination equipment, and/or offline readers/inspection equipment.

This process will allow the customer to print consumer/physically readable information, logos, or any other visual information and designs onto the surface of a flexographic label. If a pressure sensitive material is used, then that web will be de-laminated. Using a RFID inlay insertion device, an inlay will be inserted between the face stock and the liner, and the face stock and liner will then be re-laminated. Finally, any additional converting steps can take place all in-line flexographically.

Depending on the type of RFID inlay insertion equipment used, the customer can discard defective inlays before they are introduced into the label. On some systems, it is possible to read an RFID inlay that has been pre-marked by the manufacturer. When a bad inlay has been identified it will be discarded. The customer will then have the option to have the system replace the bad inlay if desired.

The reader will be used to determine if the inlay is still functional. If the reader has identified a defective inlay, the press can be configured with the option to incorporate a marking system. This marking system can be used to physically mark the bad label so that it can be removed or replaced in a secondary operation.

Throughout the press, static elimination equipment is critical to the success of in-line RFID label production. This system prevents static from damaging RFID chips. Static elimination units will be configured into the press design to maximum results for each label application.

Below is a picture of a Tamarack P500 RFID inlay insertion system on a Mark Andy 2200 press. The Tamarack system uses vacuum transfer technology to accurately place the RFID inlay into each label, tag or package. This system accepts film or pressure sensitive type inlays, plus has the advantage of inserting straps as they become available (See oFuture of RFID").

Below is a picture of a Label-AireÃ RFID inlay insertion system on a Mark Andy 2200 press. The Label-Aire uses label application technology to place the RFID inlay. This system requires that the RFID inlay be carried on a liner material.

What is the future of RFID and RFID converting?

As with any emerging market, the initial cost to produce will be very high until it becomes more common place. The cost to produce a RFID inlay today is high because production rates are still quite low and there are only a handful of quality suppliers. In addition, the methods of production and materials used to build RFID inlays are still being defined and refined. To bring down the cost of this application, fewer steps must be used to create the RFID inlay. Inlay manufacturers must also strive to build more economical chips and inlays, which is an on-going process.

The antennas of most inlays today are made up of metallic materials that are very expensive and can be environmentally unfriendly. Most of the antennas currently being produced are typically large in size. This makes the antenna costly to produce. As manufactures begin to reduce the size of the antenna design, a significant reduction in material costs can be achieved.

Mark Andy believes that the processes used to create the inlay will be improved dramatically. The future production processes for RFID production will involve printing the conductive antenna and inserting a strap onto the antenna inline with the printing operation. Various processes are in development by Mark Andy and leading industry partners to print antennas and straps including using rotary screen and flexographic printing technology.

As the printing techniques improve, as ink costs decrease and as drying speeds increase, the overall cost of production will decrease making this the most effective method to produce RFID labels.