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RFID Inline™
 Problem:
How to lower the cost and improve efficiency of affixing RFID tags to electronic
equipment during the assembly process.
Solution:
This device mounts on surface mount assembly (SMA) machinery for the purpose of delivering RFID
tags for PCB installation. The feeder accepts blank tags at one end and delivers programmed and tested tags at the other.
Processed tags are then picked by the SMA machine and placed on a PCB.
Various embodiments of the feeder are able to process:
- RFID tags with antennas
- RFID tags without antennas
- Labels with embedded inlays
In each case, data is written to an RFID tag and verified prior to delivery for picking.
A failed device is rejected assuring only reliable tags are placed on the circuit board.
For tags without antennas, the feeder orients and attaches a temporary antenna for the purpose
of writing data. It is assumed that the PCB supplies an etched antenna that becomes soldered to the tag.
For labels with embedded tags, the feeder may contain a print head that prints text in conjunction
with tag programming. This embodiment functions much like desktop RFID label printers available from
sources such as Intermec and Zebra.
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