Computer and electromagnetic energy based mass production method for the

Abstract

The new method concerns the custom designed lowcost mass production of flexible planar circuits which suit particu-larly for one time use and carry complex prints on at least one face thereof, as may be e.g. RF sensitive tickets or marker tags for electronic security systems. The construction both of planar electrical circuit and printed outfit elements in mutual alignment with each other is based on continuous light printing routines in combination with a production carrier protection and a post etching routine. Light printing may be of the LASER, LED, LCS or like type. The method is computer orchestrated and rolls off prior art barriers in view of limits for custom designs of shape, face, outfit, electrical, and even RF properties of such circuits. Custom designs are easily layouted onscreen of a modern personal computer. The data obtained thereof are downloaded to the production line. Changing, hopping sweeping and tuning custom circuit and print designs, without any format restriction and at full process speed is unprecedentedly introduced. Forming tools have been abandoned. As an exclusive longlife production tool electromagnetic wave energy is extensively used. The production web can be selected from a wide choice of materials and thus define circuit properties from flexible printed circuit wafers over tear-resistive spunbond labels to paper-like tags or stickers which may even be washed and sewn and nicely go one way with a pretty commercial face.