Machine Produces RFID Copper Antennas in Rotary Screen Printing Process!
Mühlbauer is a specialist for RFID bonding, converting and personalization machines. The headquarters are located in Roding, Eastern Bavaria. The company introduced the world's first RFID inlay production solution back in 1995. Today, Mühlbauer continues to innovate: the market launch of a new Antenna Printing System (APS) for printed RFID antennas has been announced for end of 2022. The new approach to antenna printing enables smart label providers to produce their own antennas in-house – independent from other suppliers.
New Production Machine for Smart Labels
The APS (Antenna Printing System) prints RFID antennas with copper nano ink on paper in a rotary screen printing process. Up to 80,000 UHF antennas can be printed per hour, means a throughput of 600 to 650 million antennas per year is achievable. This varies depending on the antenna design. HF and NFC antennas are approached in the next step.
"HF antennas are more difficult to print than UHF antennas. An NFC antenna is smaller and requires even more precise work," explains Magdalena Rupprecht, Sales Manager at Mühlbauer. "The antenna design and the number of print tracks affect the throughput. Both single-row and multi-row printing are feasible with the APS."
Sustainable, Flexible and Secure Production of RFID Antennas
The printing process with copper ink is faster and more sustainable than conventional antenna production. No chemical waste is generated. Compared to silver printing, printing with copper nano ink is 70% cheaper and the copper antennas are fully compostable.
"The APS offers clear advantages for sustainable and flexible antenna production," says Magdalena Rupprecht. "With the design in place, just-in-time production of RFID antennas takes place in eight hours. Antenna printing enables two-layer production without the use of PET or aluminum."
"Compared to conventional antenna manufacturing, the GSP increases security. Company knowledge is better protected when know-how and design do not have to be given off-site." says Magdalena Rupprecht. "Especially for smart label manufacturers who rely on fast response times and want to produce more sustainably and safely, the APS is an interesting solution."
Contact the experts at Mühlbauer and learn more about printed RFID antennas and the new APS!