July 15, 2009
The majority of ID, bank and other smart card manufacturers buys pre-produced magnetic, signature and other security stripe layers in addition. The suppliers of these layers require large lots to be able to provide inexpensive prices. This limits the flexibility of the card producers concerning card type and layout changes.
Mühlbauer’s new tape layer MAE 12 is the key to retrieve this flexibility. The stripes - coming from reel - are applied and securely connected directly with a substrate. Afterwards the complete layer is wound-up or optionally cutted into card sheet format. Thereby, the system provides highest flexibility regarding type, size, placement and amount of stripes, independent of any consumable supplier. Overlays from 40 to 700 microns and a width of up to 780 mm can be handled.
The MAE 12 processes up to 24 stripes (twelve magnetic and twelve signature stripes) in parallel. The machine’s speed is up to 25 meters per minute. The result is a maximum throughput of up to 180,000 cards per hour. The correct assembly of stripes and substrate is guaranteed by the included tape guidance.
Beneath flexibility, accurancy and speed, the main benefit of the MAE 12 is the intuitive handling due to a structured operator panel in combination with the easy process. Thanks to the operator-friendly setup of the machine, maintenance services are possible within shortest time. Sophisticated snap closing technology for stripes and substrates speeds up product change-overs. This keeps down the stationary times and thus, raises the efficiency of the machine.
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About Mühlbauer Group
The Mühlbauer Group is the only one-stop-shop technology partner for the card, Smart Card, passport/ePassport and RFID industry. With nearly 2,000 employees, technology centers in Germany, Malaysia, the U.S. and Slovakia and a worldwide sales and service network, the Mühlbauer Group is the world’s market leader in innovative systems and software solutions for the production and personalization of cards, passports and RFID applications. Mühlbauer also develops and produces innovative systems such as micro-chip die sorting, flexible solar cells or carrier tape equipment for specific niche applications in the semiconductor back-end area (Semiconductor Related Products), as well as labelling and marking systems for traceability of electronic components (Traceability). Mühlbauer’s Precision Parts and Systems segment produces high precision components both for the manufacturing of its own products and to other manufacturers in sensitive industries such as aerospace, motorsports, medical and semiconductor industry.
