RFID

Zebra Technologies, Vernon Hills, Ill., a global leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, announced the launch of its Zebra R3i and R4i UHF RFID card printer/encoders—a new RFID product series designed to save time and costs, while heightening security in a host of auto-identification, access control and asset tracking applications. The company is also offering genuine Zebra-designed supplies; rugged, flexible UHF RFID-enabled plastic cards for single-sided or dual-sided card printing. The RFID card printers are now available in North America, with global release scheduled for early 2008. “We are pleased to once again be the first in the industry to develop

Repacorp Label Products Discusses the Latest in RFID Technology at PSDA 2007

Schober GmbH, located in Eberdingen, Germany—and with North American headquarters in Cincinnati—has redesigned its RFID tag inserter. The enhanced machine is an economical solution for the production of smart labels used in applications such as automatic product recognition and inventory management, as well as tags and tickets used for mass transportation, entrance and access authorization, security identification and monitoring. For more information, visit www.schoberusa.com.

(The following story was report on Sept. 10 by DailyTech at www.dailytech.com. The online magazine’s Editor In Chief, Kristopher Kubicki, has been involved in the PC industry in one form or another for more than a decade.) Numerous studies linking RFID implants to cancer in animals, are gaining significant attention Last week, Dailytech reported that California’s State senate had blocked employers from requiring their employees to get “chipped”—implanted with an RFID chip that would allow for radio identification and tracking. Now, in addition to the privacy concerns, a new report by the Associate Press has brought to light serious doubts on RFID implants’ medical

RFID has come a long way since Charles Walton’s 1983 U.S. patent—the first to be associated with the acronym. His invention, designed to facilitate quick and accurate identification of remotely located objects, used an identifier for generating and transmitting a signal in the radio frequency range, allowing data communication without physical connection. Today, Doug Seitz, manager of the RFID/thermal portfolio for Boulder, Colorado-based InfoPrint Solutions (IPS), observed the list of industries and items incorporating RFID is steadily expanding. From tracking surgical sponges in the operating room, fish in public aquariums and kids at amusement parks, to opening car doors, managing inventory and serving toll

Equipment manufacturer Melzer, located in Schwelm, Germany, delivered its first machine for RFID-luggage tag production, featuring patented transponder selection. The process is integrated in the STL-100 machine, and in addition to the standard STL products—RFID-tickets, tags and labels—it also produces the RFID luggage tags. Furthermore, the single-track production line can be used for documents and large-size labels (up to 250 mm wide) and similar products. With an output of 40 to 50 million pieces per year, the machine is already sufficient for meeting the demand of RFID technology beginners. For mass production, the STL-L400 four-track version is available with an output

Headquartered in Clinton, S.C., Avery Dennison RFID—a business unit of Avery Dennison Corp.—announced the continued expansion of its RFID inlay product portfolio with the introduction of three new inlay designs, which are EPC Class 1 Gen 2, as well as ISO-180006-C-compliant. They are designed to be read across the range of global RFID frequency bands, and integrate seamlessly into label converting processes. Avery Dennison’s three new RFID inlays include: • AD-430 Inlay, designed to fit within a 4x1˝ label for supply chain applications. The inlay is suited for use with RF-friendly, metal and liquid contents. Wide-band characteristics provide the ability to operate

By Maggie DeWitt As smart cards proliferate in North America, Europe and Asia, so do the unintended transmission and theft of personal data—despite encryption technology. Research shows that a reading device with off-the-shelf components, and costing as little as $50, can intercept private information when passed near a handbag or wallet. This month’s mystery product is the latest weapon in the war against virtual personal assault. Use the following clues to guess what the product is: • It completely shields personal and financial information on a smart card’s memory chip. • It is an innovative blend of materials resulting in an easy-to-print

RFID continues to wow industry professionals with its seemingly endless capabilities. As a result, more companies are incorporating this technology into their business practices. In fact, a study conducted by IDTechEx revealed that as of 2007, 3.752 billion RFID tags have been sold over the last 60 years. Furthermore, sales jumped an astonishing 8 percent—from 19 percent to 27 percent—between 2005 and 2006. While RFID technology is not something companies can find success in overnight, Mark Davenport, president of Nashville, Tennessee-based Mid South Graphics, noted end-users can find positive results by investing a little patience and creativity in their business model. “Most of the

Schober USA, Cincinnati, introduced its third generation RFID tag inserter. The new technology inserts UHF and HF inlays under die-cut blank or pre-printed labels and validates the finished product. Control and monitoring is accomplished through the new pendant station which houses an industrial PC. A cost-effective RFID solution, the product includes a new tag dispenser with web tension relief; strategically placed start/stop buttons; greater information-gathering capabilities; and optional static discharge protection. This proven technology works with transponders in accordance with ISO specifications, in widths from 10 mm to 160 mm. Pre-printed labels with widths from 20 mm to 200 mm can be