MADRAS has developed a geotracking flexible tag to be attached to tools, vehicles or parts in a logistic shopfloor.
This device, crafted for Paragon ID, is one of the consumer electronics products that validates the novel materials and manufacturing processes of the project.
The tag enables the traceability and location of assets at any time, helping to achieve real-time inventory and better stock management.
The printed antennas were designed to accommodate Paragon ID’s product line for the already-existing flexible and miniature labels, dividing the tag into two parts: a flexible foil with a printed antenna and required SMD components, and a small rigid label, bearing the rigid multipoint control unit part (MCU).
The two parts are linked via an ad hoc connector inserted during the moulding process of the rigid part. In addition to the latter, an important game changer is the development of extra features for the tag electronics (MCU), which include functionalities such as provision for sensor connectivity and sensor signal pre-processing.
The key innovation falls on the manufacturing process of the geotracking tag, involving the development of silver nanoparticles highly-conductive inks and a nanocellulose foil, as well as the optimisation of printing and hybridisation processes.
Thanks to the use of sustainable inks and substrates and in-mould electronic processes, the tag development was less complicated and costly, from the choice of the materials to the printing process, the hybridisation techniques and the integration through injection moulding for the electronics’ components protection.
The antennas were printed using the screen-printing technique with a customised silver nanoparticle-based ink. The assembly of the MCU was optimised with pick-and-place equipment.
The printing and hybridisation process was followed by the integration of the protective case through injection moulding.
This flexible and low-cost tag allows UWINLOC to target new markets and to address new use cases, volumes and shapes of assets.
This device is able to localise assets without any battery usage thanks to far-field wireless power transmission.
The data transfer from the tag to the beacon is secured, as it uses a low transmitted signal’s power and the information is transmitted at a very low level.
The solution is based on two antennas:
“This tag allows us to track a large volume of assets like tools or card boxes along manufacturing lines and in warehouses, helping operators spend less time looking for them when they are lost and allowing further process automation, thus improving the overall productivity”
Eric Cariou, Business Developer, Paragon ID
