WO2018127763A1

WO2018127763A1 - Method and plant for the manufacture of rfid devices

Info

Publication number: WO2018127763A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/058249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Stefanelli; Giovanni Natalis
Original assignee: Automation 4 Industrial Solutions Srl
Current assignee: Automation 4 Industrial Solutions Srl
Priority date: 2017-01-09
Filing date: 2017-12-21
Publication date: 2018-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-09
Also published as: EP3566179A1; IT201700001509A1

Abstract

A continuous laminar support (5) is moved according to subsequent movement steps, mutually interleaved by stopping phases, along a processing line (1) comprising a plurality of work stations (2) each carrying at least applicator (16) of a constructive component of an RFID device on the laminar support (5). At each movement step, at least one RFID module (23) in correspondence of at least one module application station (9) and at least one antenna (29) in correspondence of at least one antenna application station (10a, 10b) are applied. In each work station (2), a suction action of the laminar support (5) against a sliding surface (13a) of a support plate (13) is implemented, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases. During the execution of each movement step, a fluid bed of levitation is created between the support plate (13) and the laminar support (5).

Description

METHOD AND PLANT FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF RFID

DEVICES

The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of RFID devices. The invention also relates to a plant, i.e. a processing line, for the manufacture of RFID Devices.

More particularly, the invention relates to the manufacture of RFID devices consisting of an RFID module as an integrated circuit provided with at least an antenna as a wire made of copper or other conductive material, enclosed between a laminar support, for example as a sheet of paper or other material, and a laminar covering layer.

It is known the manufacturing of RFID devices by means of productive plants comprising several work stations, for example in which a laminar support made of paper material is sequentially subjected to the respective operations required for the simultaneous manufacture of a plurality of RFID devices.

At the end of processing, the RFID devices formed on the laminar support lend themselves to be individually separated from each other to be destined to their final use.

In production lines of the above indicated type it is for example known the use of a module application station, which applies a plurality of RFID modules to a laminar support as an adhesive sheet.

The adhesive sheet bearing the RFID modules is then transferred to an antenna application station by which each of the RFID modules is associated to an antenna in the form of metal wire.

For example, the document WO 2010/089713 describes an apparatus wherein a continuous laminar support is unwound from a supply reel and moved according to a path along which the devices for the application of the respective RFID components operate. At the end of the path, the laminar support is rewound on a take-up reel. As an alternative to a substrate in the form of a continuous tape, in the above document the use of separated laminar elements, taken individually by a storage element and transferred to the application devices located along the path, to be subsequently conveyed to a collection container, is also proposed.

The document WO 2006/079913, instead, describes an antenna application station provided with a plurality of deposition heads, each of which depositing a metal wire on the adhesive sheet, supported by a movable support plate according to three mutually perpendicular axes of a Cartesian system.

Further examples of apparatuses for the manufacture of RFID devices are described in US 6 147 662 A, US 2007/085089 A1 , US 5 745 988 A, US 2008/089444 A1 .

The Applicant believes that the current apparatuses for the manufacture of RFID devices may be significantly improved in several ways, for example in terms of structural simplicity, productivity, operational flexibility and qualitative precision of the final product.

In this respect, the Applicant realized that, in order to achieve a high productivity and operation flexibility, it is advantageous to apply the constructive components of the RFID modules to a continuous laminar support, fed along a path passing through a plurality of work stations, preferably as a result of a traction exerted downstream of the processing line.

However, the Applicant has observed that during the application of the components or other processes as described, for example, in WO 2010/089713, the interaction of the devices involved in the application of the components inevitably results for the laminar support in stresses and consequent displacements or deformations which, albeit slight, may affect the quality of the final product.

The Applicant has therefore felt the need to improve the stability of the positioning of the laminar support during the application of the RFID components thereto, so as to increase the assembly accuracy and reliability. According to a first aspect of the present invention, it has been found that in one or more working stations, the positioning of the laminar support for the purpose of processing can be properly stabilized by means of a suction action exerted through the sliding surface of a support plate of the laminar support.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the Applicant has deemed appropriate to ease the sliding of the laminar support for the purpose of movement, by dispensing in one or more working stations a gaseous fluid between the support plate and the laminar support.

More specifically, the object of this invention is a method for the manufacture of RFID devices, comprising the steps of: translating longitudinally a continuous laminar support according to subsequent movement steps mutually interleaved by stopping phases, along a processing line comprising a plurality of work stations each carrying at least one applicator of a constructive component of an RFID device on the laminar support; applying, at each stopping phase, at least one RFID module in correspondence with at least one module application station forming part of said plurality of work stations; applying, at each stopping phase, at least one antenna at least one antenna application station forming part of said plurality of work stations. According to a first inventive aspect a suction action of the laminar support against a sliding surface of a support plate implementing is preferably carried out in conjunction with each of said stopping phases.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a processing line for the manufacture of RFID devices, comprising: a plurality of work stations consecutively arranged along a processing line; translation devices for longitudinally conducting a continuous laminar support, according to subsequent movement steps mutually interleaved by stopping phases, along said processing line; and a plurality of applicators, each associated with one of the work stations, for applying at least a constructive component of an RFID device to the laminar support, supported by a support plate arranged in the respective work station. The work stations preferably include at least one module application station configured to apply, after each movement step, at least one RFID module and at least one antenna application station configured to apply, at each movement step, at least one antenna paired to said RFID module. Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises suction devices to implement, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases, a suction action of the laminar support against a sliding surface of the respective support plate. It is thus possible to ensure a stable positioning of the laminar support during the application of the components of the RFID devices, for the benefit of the execution accuracy of the processing, even in the event of considerable stresses transmitted to the laminar support by the devices involved in the application.

According to a further aspect, exploitable also independently from the first and/or second aspect, the invention proposes that during the execution of each movement step, in at least one work station a gaseous fluid is preferably dispensed between the support plate and the laminar support. In other words, a blowing action of gaseous fluid between the support plate and the laminar support is carried out.

It is thus possible to prevent the dragging action of the laminar support from causing excessive stresses on it, with consequent damage and/or deformations and/or inaccuracies in its positioning for the purpose of processing at the single work stations. This circumstance is even more evident whenever several work stations need to be provided, having, as a result, a long movement path, which increases the stresses inevitably induced along the laminar support by the dragging. Moreover, the wear of the support plate due to the slithering of the laminar support is eliminated or considerably decreased.

During the execution of each movement step, in at least one work station can therefore be formed a levitation pneumatic bed between the sliding surface and the laminar support. The presence of the gaseous fluid and/or of the fluid bed between the support plate and the laminar support considerably reduces the friction generated during the operations of dragging. The sliding of the laminar support during the execution of each movement step can actually occur substantially with no contact with the sliding plane, with high fluidity and with no need of applying high stresses to the laminar support itself.

In one or more of the above aspects, the present invention can also advantageously have one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, the suction action is interrupted during the execution of each movement step.

Preferably, said support plate slidably holds the laminar support during translation.

Preferably, the laminar support slides with respect to the support plate during the execution of the movement steps.

Preferably, during the execution of each movement step, in at least one of the work stations is therefore formed a levitation pneumatic bed between the sliding surface and the laminar support.

Preferably, the blowing of the gaseous fluid and/or the formation of the pneumatic bed is carried out by dispensing air through said sliding surface. Preferably, the action of blowing and/or the formation of the pneumatic bed is interrupted during the stopping phases of the step-by-step movement.

Preferably, the suction action and the blowing of the gaseous fluid are created by alternately sucking and dispensing air through a plurality of through holes distributed on the sliding surface.

Preferably, in at least one of the work stations, are carried out the steps of detecting, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases, the position of a reference index arranged on the laminar support, and

applying said constructive component in a predetermined position with respect to said reference index.

Preferably, the application of said constructive component comprises the action of moving the applicator parallel to the laminar support, along at least a mutually perpendicular first and/or second axis.

Preferably, said laminar support comes from a supply unit and said reference indexes are produced on the laminar support at a stretch between the supply unit and the module application station.

Preferably, said reference indexes are mutually spaced apart according to a substantially constant distribution pitch, so that at each movement step at least one of said reference indexes is stopped at each of said work stations.

Preferably, at each stopping phase of the laminar support at least two cycles of RFID module application are performed according to the respective arrays in mutually spaced apart positions along the longitudinal development of the continuous laminar support.

Preferably, in each of the arrays of RFID modules applied in one of said application cycles a respective set of antennas is combined, which are applied in conjunction with respective stopping phase of the laminar support.

Preferably, each RFID module forming part of a first array receives at least one antenna at a first antenna application station, and each RFID module belonging to a second array receives at least one antenna at a second antenna application station.

Preferably, said suction devices comprise a plurality of through holes distributed on the sliding surface.

Preferably, the support plate delimits, on the opposite side of the sliding surface, a pneumatic chamber into which said through holes merge.

Preferably, said suction devices comprise at least one Venturi-effect vacuum generator.

Preferably, the Venturi-effect vacuum generator comprise at least one supply duct connected to a compressed air supply line, at least one suction duct communicating with said pneumatic chamber and at least one discharge duct communicating with the supply duct and with the suction duct.

Switching valve members operating between the compressed air supply line and the vacuum generator are preferably provided.

Preferably, said switching valve members are selectively switchable between a suction condition wherein compressed air is fed to the vacuum generator and a blowing condition wherein compressed air is fed to the pneumatic chamber and, preferably, the supply of compressed air to the vacuum generator is interrupted.

Preferably, said blowing devices comprise at least one blowing pump operatively connected with the pneumatic chamber.

Preferably, the blowing pump may be operated in conjunction with the switching of the switching valve members in the blowing condition.

Preferably, the blowing pump may be pneumatically activated by the compressed air coming from the supply line.

Preferably, the blowing pump comprises at least one supply duct connected to a compressed air supply line, at least one suction duct communicating with the external environment and at least one delivery duct operatively connected with the pneumatic chamber.

Preferably, the supply duct of the pneumatic pump flows merge into at least one Venturi nozzle located at an intersection between the supply duct, the suction duct and the delivery duct.

Preferably, the blowing pump has no moving parts.

Preferably, said switching valve members are operatively connected with the blowing pump to send compressed air to the blowing pump itself.

Selection valve members operatively interposed between the vacuum generator and the support plate, and operatively switchable between a suction condition wherein the vacuum generator is connected with the support plate and a blowing condition wherein the support plate is connected with the compressed air supply line and/or with the blowing devices. Preferably, in the blowing condition, the selection valve members break the connection between the vacuum generator and the support plate.

Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises sensing devices to detect the position of at least one reference index carried by the laminar support, and at least one movement device to adjust the position of at least one of said applicators with respect to said reference index.

The applicator operates therefore on the laminar support in a predetermined position with respect to said reference index.

Preferably, said translation devices include a driving unit operating downstream of the work stations.

At least one marking station to make said reference indexes on the laminar support is preferably provided.

Preferably, said marking station operates between a supply unit of the laminar support and the module application station.

Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises a respective movement device for translating the applicator along at least two, more preferably at least three mutually orthogonal movement axes.

Preferably, at least one of said movement axes is parallel to a support plate of the laminar support.

Preferably, in at least one of said work stations, said applicator is supported by a support arm parallel spaced from a support plate of the laminar support.

Preferably, said support arm has one end cantilevered to the respective movement device.

Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises a plurality of applicators carried by respective operating heads.

Preferably, said operating heads can be placed transversely to the longitudinal development of the laminar support, preferably along a support arm which is part of said movement device.

Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises a interchangeable positioning template removably engaged to said support arm. Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises a interchangeable positioning template rigidly engaged to said support arm.

Preferably, the positioning template carries cooperating engagement seats with respective abutment elements carried by said heads to fix the positioning along the support arm.

Preferably, a first antenna application station and at least a second antenna application station are provided consecutively arranged along the processing line.

Preferably, said sensing devices include a camera.

Preferably, the camera is fixed to the movement device.

Preferably, the camera is oriented towards a support plate of the laminar support.

Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for the manufacture of RFID devices, and of a processing line operating according to said method, in accordance with the present invention.

Such description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative and, therefore, non- limiting purpose, wherein:

- figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c show schematically in a side view, respectively, consecutive portions of a processing line realized in accordance with the present invention;

- figures 2a, 2b and 2c are plan views of the portions of the processing line of Figure 1 ;

- figures 3, 4 and 5 are schematic representations respectively illustrating a module application station, an antenna application station and a fixing station in a side view;

- figure 6 shows an RFID device obtainable in accordance with the present invention; - figure 7 is a pneumatic diagram showing some of the constructive components present at two of the support plates provided in the work stations, in a longitudinal sectioned view.

In Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, 2a, 2b and 2c a plant or processing line for the manufacture of RFID devices 17 is generally illustrated, operating according to a method according to the present invention.

A processing line 1 defined by a plurality of work stations 2 consecutively aligned in mutual juxtaposition, preferably along a substantially rectilinear direction, is provided.

Upstream of the processing line 1 is a supply unit 3 carrying, for instance, a coil or other storage element 4 from which a continuous laminar support 5 is progressively withdrawn and made to advance along the processing line 1 by translation devices comprising, for example, a driving unit 6 placed downstream.

The laminar support 5 may for example be realized in form of a sheet of paper, plastic or other material, preferably provided with an adhesive layer applied on its upper surface. A protective film 7 on the previously applied adhesive layer is removed upon the action of a rewinding assembly 8 located in the proximity of the supply unit 3, in conjunction with the advancement of the laminar support 5.

The advancement of the laminar support 5 by the driving unit 6 is preferably carried out according to a step-by-step movement. In other words, the continuous laminar support 5 is moved longitudinally along the processing line 1 in subsequent movement steps, mutually interleaved by stopping phases. The amplitude of each movement step is substantially equal to the distance between two consecutive work stations 2, or to a submultiple of said distance.

The work stations 2 may for example include at least one module application station 9 and at least one antenna application station 10a, 10b and, preferably, at least one fixing station 1 1 . In the example shown, a first and a second antenna application station 10a, 10b, respectively contiguous, are provided.

In the accompanying drawings, 12 generally indicates movement devices present in one or more of the work stations 2, to apply on the laminar support 5, at each working cycle, at least a constructive component of an RFID device.

In the illustrated example, the movement devices 12 are installed on the module application station 9, on each of the antenna application stations 10a, 10b and on the fixing station 1 1 .

Each movement device 12 is positioned above a support plate 13 on which the laminar support 5 shifts, and rigidly engages one end of a support arm 14 overhanging above the support plate 13. The support arm 14, spaced in parallel from the support plate 13, carries at least one operating head 15 specifically configured for the application of the respective constructive component by means of a respective applicator 16. In a preferential embodiment, the support arm 14 is associated to a plurality of operating heads 15, for example four, each carrying a respective applicator 16.

It may be advantageously provided that the operating heads 15 belonging to a same work station 2 are removably positionable along the respective support arm 14, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal development of the laminar support 5. To this end, the support arm 14 is preferably provided with one or more sliding guides 18, operatively engaged by respective shoes 19 carried by each of the operating heads 15.

An interchangeable positioning template 20 can also be fixed to the support arm 14 carrying a plurality of engagement seats 21 , each of which cooperates with a respective abutment element 22 carried by one of the heads, to fix their positioning along the support arms 14. Setting operations of the work station 2 are thus simplified, since the number and positioning of the operating heads 15 can be easily changed depending on the needs, by possibly replacing the positioning template 20. Each movement device 12 provides the movement of each operating head 15 and of the respective applicator 16 preferably according to at least three axes Y, X, Z, respectively orthogonal. For the purposes of the present description, it is possible identify a longitudinal movement axis Y, parallel to the longitudinal development of the continuous laminar support 5, a transverse movement axis X, perpendicular to the longitudinal development of the laminar support 5, and a vertical movement axis Z, with respect to the supporting surface 13 of the laminar support 5. The longitudinal-movement axis Y and transverse-movement axis X are coplanar with each other or arranged on parallel planes, respectively.

The movement devices 12 of the different work stations 2 may be substantially identical to each other. On the contrary, the operating heads 15 and the respective applicators 16 are each specifically configured according to the operation to be performed in the respective work station 2.

In this respect, it is provided that the movement device 12 installed in the module application station 9 is associated with one or more first operating heads 15 each of which is configured to apply on the laminar support 5, at each movement step, a respective RFID module 23, preferably made in the form of microchips.

To this end, each operating head 15 associated with the module application station 9, not described in detail since it is achievable in different ways, may for example comprise a supply reel 26 of the RFID modules 23, preferably distributed along a continuous tape 25 coming from the reel itself. Pulling means 27 operating on the tape shall individually transfer the RFID module 23 to a cutting unit 28. The cutting unit 28 is selectively operable to separate from the continuous tape 25 each RFID module 23 together with a length of the tape itself, making it available for the relevant applicator 16 of RFID modules 23. The applicator 16 of the RFID modules 23 may for example comprise a gripping member, preferably movable by means of an angular rotation, between a gripping position, in which it retains the RFID module 23 near the cutting unit 28, and a release position, in which it is oriented towards the support plate 13, in order to release the RFID module 23 on the underlying laminar support 5, preferably as a result of descent along the vertical movement axis Z. Each of the operating heads 15 which equip the movement device 12 installed on each antenna application station 10a, 10b is itself configured to apply at least one antenna 29 on the laminar support 5, at each movement step. Each antenna 29 is preferably formed by depositing on the laminar support 5 a metallic wire or other conductive material, preferably copper treated with an external insulation coating. To this end, each of the operating heads 15 installed in the antenna application station 10a, 10b may for example comprise guide members (not shown) operating on the conductive wire 30 coming from a respective supply reel, in order to lead it in correspondence of the applicator 16 of antennas 29, made for example in the form of idler roll 31 , rotatable around a horizontal axis. The idler roll 31 may be carried by a pivot 32 pivoting around a vertical pivot axis R. A cutting member 33 cuts the conductive wire 30 near the idle roller 31 , once the application is complete.

Each of the antennas 29 applied on the laminar support 5 is coupled to one of the RFID modules 23. For example, each antenna 29 may have its opposite ends 29a placed in contact relationship with respective terminals 24a carried by the RFID module 23.

Preferably, with reference to the direction of advancement of the laminar support 5, the module application station 9 is arranged upstream of the antenna application station(s) 10a, 10b.

Each of the operating heads 15 present in the movement device 12 installed in the fixing station 1 1 , arranged downstream of the antenna application station(s) 10a, 10b, is configured to stably fix each antenna 29 to the respective RFID module 23, for example by making welds at the terminals 24 of the RFID module itself. To this end, each operating head

15 can for example comprise a dispenser 34 of filler material and heating bodies, for example a laser emitter 35, for applying and melting a predetermined quantity of filler material at each of the terminals 24 of the RFID module 23, where the ends of the antenna 29 were previously placed.

It can be also provided at least one covering unit 36 located downstream of the fixing station 1 1 and configured to apply at least a covering layer 37 on the laminar support 5. Similarly to the laminar support 5, the covering layer 37 can be also realized in the form of continuous sheet in paper or plastic material, and is for example coupled to the laminar support itself by means of a respective applicator in the form of roller 38.

The work stations 2 can be interleaved with auxiliary stations 39, 40 configured for performing additional processing operations on the RFID modules 23 being processed. For example, downstream of the covering unit 36 may be provided a testing station 39, upon the action of which the operation of RFID devices 17 obtained is tested, and a possible printing station 40 for printing graphic patterns on the same RFID devices 17. The printing station 40, if located downstream of the testing station 39, can also be used to mark the RFID devices 17 that have not passed the tests performed in the testing station itself.

Downstream of the covering unit 36 at least one die-cutting station 41 can be also provided, which is configured for making mutually coupled separation 42 and/or pre-breaking notches in the laminar support 5 and the covering layer 37, so as to facilitate the mutual separation of the RFID devices 17 at a later time.

In the illustrated example, the driving unit 6 is arranged downstream of the processing line 1 . One or more of the work 2 and/or auxiliary stations 39, 40, for example the testing station 39 and/or the printing station 40 and/or the die-cutting station 41 , can be arranged upstream of the driving unit 6. A collection unit 43 arranged downstream of the processing line 1 receives the RFID devices 23, for example by wrapping them in the form of one or more tapes on respective collection reels 44 after any possible longitudinal cutting operation.

In accordance with the invention, on the continuous laminar support 5 reference indexes 45 are arranged mutually spaced apart according to a substantially constant distribution pitch, preferably equal to the handling pitch of the laminar support itself with the processing line 1 . At each movement step at least one of the reference indexes 45 is therefore stopped at each of the work stations 2.

In accordance with a not shown embodiment example, the reference indexes 45 can be realized on the laminar support 5 before its use in the processing line 1 .

In a preferred embodiment example, shown in the accompanying figures, the reference indexes 45 are realized by means of a marking station 46 operatively interposed between the supply unit 3 and the module application station 9, preferably upstream of the rewinding unit 8. The marking station 46 can for example comprise at least one punch 46a movable alternately through the laminar support 5 to realize the reference indexes 45 in the form of shaped openings, for example square in shape, distributed along at least one of its longitudinal edges.

Alternatively, the marking station 46 can for example be configured to realize the reference indexes 45 in the form of graphics patterns printed on the laminar support 5.

In conjunction with each of said stopping phases, the position of each applicator 16 can be advantageously adjusted with respect to at least one of the reference indexes 45 carried by the laminar support 5.

To this end, detection devices can be used comprising, for example, at least a digital camera 47 directed towards the support plate 13, or other suitable reading device (for example an electromechanical-type device) operatively associated to one or more of the work stations 2 to detect the position of reference index 45 on the laminar support 5, when the latter is stopped at the respective work station 2. Preferably, at least the module application stations 9, the first and second antenna application stations 10a, 10b, and the fixing station 1 1 are each provided with at least one respective camera 47. Additional cameras may be associated, where appropriate, with other work stations 2, for example, the die-cutting station 41 and/or the printing station 40.

Each camera 47 can be for example fixed to one end of the support arm 14 carried by the respective movement device 12. During the movement of the laminar support 5, the movement device 12 can be also actuated so as to place the camera 47 at a predetermined stop position, such that at each stopping phase between two successive movement steps at least one of the reference indexes 45 carried by the laminar support 5 is located within a reading area framed by the camera.

The position of the reference index 45 detected inside the reading area is used as a reference for positioning and/or moving the applicators 16 for the proper positioning of the RFID component.

More in particular, for example, in an electronic programmable control unit (not shown) can be stored data of the positions to be occupied by the individual RFID components on the laminar support 5 in the stopping phase at each of the respective working stations 2.

Following the execution of each movement step by means of the driving unit 6, the laminar support portions 5 each carrying at least one of said reference indexes 45 are stopped at each one of the work stations 2.

Each of the cameras 47 attached to the application stations 9, 10a, 10b, 1 1 detects the position of the reference index 45 on the laminar support portion 5 during the stopping phase on the respective support plate 13, and sends to the electronic programmable control unit information indicative of that position.

In a preferred example, the camera 47 is configured to detect the position of the reference index 45 at least along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of movement X, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal development of the laminar support 5 and to the handling direction of the same. In addition or alternatively, the camera 47 can be configured to detect the position of the reference index 45 along a direction parallel to the transverse axis of movement X.

On the basis of the information received from the camera 47, the electronic control unit controls the movement device 12 installed in each application station 9, 10a, 10b, 1 1 , by translating the respective operating heads 15 parallel to the longitudinal movement axis Y and/or transverse movement axis X, according to a geometrical plane parallel to the support plate 13 of the laminar support 5. Each applicator 16 is thus provided with a predetermined position in relation to the reference index 45 carried by the respective portion of the laminar support 5.

Therefore, at each application station, the operation of the operating heads 15 and of the applicators 16 can be controlled so as to determine, with a descent of the applicator 16 along the vertical axis of movement Z, the application of the components of the RFID device (RFID modules 23, antennas 29, welds) at respective predetermined points in relation to each of the respective reference indexes 45.

An accurate and precise positioning of each of the components of the RFID device 17 is thus ensured also in the event of lateral displacement and/or elongations or shortenings of the laminar support 5, for example due to stresses transmitted along the latter for the purpose of step-by-step movement.

Preferably, the working cycle performed in the module application station 9 at each stopping phase of the laminar support 5 ensures that the respective movement device 12 performs at least two application cycles, in order to apply respective arrays A, B of the RFID modules 23 at positions mutually spaced along the longitudinal development of the laminar support 5. To this end, for example, at the end of the application of a first array A of RFID modules 23, the applicators 16 can be again raised along the vertical axis of movement Z to determine a translation of the operating heads 15 along the axis of longitudinal movement Y. Upon completion of translation, the applicators 16 are again lowered along the vertical axis of movement Z to determine the application of a second array B of RFID modules 23, at a predetermined distance from the first array A previously applied.

The first and the second array A, B of RFID modules 23 applied on the laminar support 5 during the working cycle described above are subjected, respectively in succession, to the action of the first and second antenna application station 10a, 10b as a result of the execution of two successive movement steps of the laminar support itself.

One or more control cameras 48 can be arranged along the processing line 1 , for example between the module application station 9 and the antenna application station 10a, 10b, to detect the position of the RFID modules 23 applied on the laminar support 5 during the translation of the laminar support 5 away from the module application station 9. The data relating to the position of the RFID modules 23 applied on the laminar support 5 are sent to the electronic control unit that, in the event of excessive deviation from the previously stored reference data, can for example emit a warning signal and/or determine the stopping of the production line.

During the execution of each movement step the laminar support 5, driven by the action of the driving unit 6, slides with respect to the support plates 13 of each of the work stations 2 and/or of the auxiliary stations 39, 40 and/or die-cutting 41 stations. To facilitate the sliding and reduce wear, for example, one or more of the support plates 13 can be equipped with a layered coating having a low coefficient of friction, at least at a respective sliding surface 13a facing upwardly and operating in sliding contact with the laminar support 5.

During the stopping phases, the sliding resting of the laminar support 5 against the support plate 13 could cause unwanted displacements of the laminar support 5 itself, for example due to the stresses transmitted from the applicators 16 in one or more of the work stations 2. In order to improve the stability of the laminar support 5 during the application of the components of the RFID devices, it is provided that the support plate 13 of one or more of the working stations 2 and/or of the auxiliary stations 39, 40 and/or of the die-cutting station 41 is operatively associated to suction devices 49 which can be selectively activated to implement, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases, a suction action of the laminar support 5 against the sliding surface 13a of the respective support plate 13. The suction action is interrupted during the execution of each movement step intended to move the laminar support 5. To this end, it is preferably provided that the support plate 13 has a plurality of small through holes 50, having approximately a diameter ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, distributed on sliding surface 13a, preferably homogeneously. For example, the through holes 50 can be distributed according to a density approximately ranging from 50 to 250 holes per square decimetre.

As schematically shown in figure 7, each support plate 13 has a box- shaped structure 51 that delimits, on the opposite side of the sliding surface 13a, a pneumatic chamber 52 into which the through holes 50 merge.

At least one Venturi-effect vacuum generator 53, preferably a three-stage one, operatively connected with a supply line 54 of compressed air or other suitable gaseous fluid, is fixed to he support plate 13, below the sliding surface 13a. More specifically, the vacuum generator 53, not shown in detail since it can be manufactured as known per se, essentially comprises a primary body 55 fixed to the support plate 13 and having at least a supply duct 56, a suction duct 57 and a discharge duct 58.

The supply duct 56 of the vacuum generator 53 is connected with the supply line 54, preferably by interposing switching valve members, comprising, for example, a switching electrovalve 59. The switching electrovalve 59 can have an inlet port 60 communicating with the supply line 54, preferably through a pressure reducer 61 , and at least one first output port 62 belonging to the supply duct 56 of the vacuum generator 53.

The suction duct 57 of the vacuum generator 53 communicates with the pneumatic chamber 52 of the support plate 13, preferably through selection valve members comprising, for example, a selection electrovalve 63. The selection electrovalve 63 may have a suction/delivery port 64 flowing into the pneumatic chamber 52 and at least on first access port 65 communicating with the suction duct 57 of the vacuum generator 53.

The discharge duct 58 of the vacuum generator 53 is in fluid communication with the respective supply duct 56 and suction duct 57 in a zone of mutual intersection inside the primary body 55. Moreover, the discharge duct 58 communicates with the external environment to dispense into the latter the air coming from the supply nozzles 56 and the suction 57 nozzles, for example through a muffler 66.

Inside the primary body 55, the air introduced into the supply duct 56 is dispensed through a Venturi nozzle located in the zone of intersection, thus causing a depression along the suction duct 57, which results in the suction of air from the pneumatic chamber 52 and, consequently, through the through holes 50 arranged on the sliding surface 13a of the support plate 13.

Preferably, the support plate 13 is also operatively associated to blowing devices 67, which can be selectively activated to dispense compressed air or an other gaseous fluid between the support plate 13 itself and the laminar support 5.

The blowing devices 67 may for example comprise at least one blowing pump 68, operatively connected with the pneumatic chamber 52 and preferably pneumatically activated by the compressed air coming from the supply line 54. In particular, the blowing pump 68, preferably with no moving parts during operation, can operate according to the Venturi principle, too. In the illustrated example, the blowing pump 68 has a primary body 69 fixed to the support plate 13 and having at least one supply duct 70, a suction duct 71 and a delivery duct 72.

In other words, the blowing pump 68 may have a structure similar to the one of the vacuum generator 53, with a different pneumatic connection diagram than the one of the latter. In fact, the supply duct 70 of the blowing pump 68 is connected to the compressed air supply line 54, preferably through a second outlet port 73 of the switching electrovalve 59, or equivalent switching valve members.

The suction duct 71 of the blowing pump 68 communicates with the external environment, preferably through a filter element 74.

The delivery duct 72 is connected to the pneumatic chamber 52 of the support plate 13, preferably through a second inlet port 75 placed on the selection electrovalve 63, or equivalent selection valve members.

Inside the primary body 69 of the blowing pump 68, the delivery duct 72 is also in fluid communication with the supply duct 70 and the suction duct 71 in a zone of mutual intersection.

The air introduced into the supply duct 70 is dispensed through a Venturi nozzle located in the zone of intersection, thus causing a depression along the suction duct 71 , which results in the suction from the external environment of air, which is later dispensed through the delivery duct 72 together with the air coming from the supply duct 56. As a result, in the pneumatic chamber 52 and through the through holes 50 arranged on the sliding surface 13a, it is possible to dispense air having a significantly higher flow rate than that taken from the supply line 54.

The switching electrovalve 59 is selectively switchable between a suction condition wherein compressed air is fed to the vacuum generator 53 and a blowing condition wherein compressed air is fed to the pneumatic chamber 52. Preferably, to this end, it is provided that the first and second outlet port 62, 73 may be individually and selectively connected to the inlet port 60 as a result of the switching action. As a result, in the suction condition the supply of compressed air to the pneumatic chamber 52 is interrupted. In the blowing condition, instead, the supply of compressed air to the vacuum generator 53 is interrupted.

The selection electrovalve 63 itself is selectively switchable between an air suction condition wherein the suction duct 57 of the vacuum generator 53 is connected to the pneumatic chamber 52 and a condition of blowing wherein the pneumatic chamber 52 itself is connected to the blowing devices 67. Preferably, to this end, it is provided that the first and second inlet port 65, 75 may be individually and selectively connected to the suction/delivery port 64 as a result of the switching action. As a result, in the suction condition the fluid communication between the pneumatic chamber 52 and the blowing devices 67 is interrupted. In the blowing condition, instead, the fluid communication between the pneumatic chamber 52 and the vacuum generator 53 is interrupted.

In addition or as an alternative to the use of the blowing devices 67, in the blowing condition the pneumatic chamber 52 can be directly connected to the compressed air supply line 54, e.g. through a auxiliary derived line 76 belonging to the selection valve 63, as indicated by a dotted line in figure 7.

Preferably, in the suction condition the selection electrovalve 63 isolates the pneumatic chamber 52 from the blowing pump 68 and/or from the supply line 54, in order to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the pneumatic chamber 52 itself. In other words, the action of blowing and/or the formation of the levitation pneumatic bed is interrupted during the stopping phases of the step-by-step movement. Vice versa, in the blowing condition, the selection electrovalve 63 isolates the pneumatic chamber 52 from the vacuum generator 53. In other words, the suction action is interrupted during the execution of each movement step.

Preferably, the suction devices 49 and the blowing devices 67 are applied to the support plate 13 in each of the work stations 3 and of the auxiliary stations 39, 40 and die-cutting stations 41 , if any, and fed by a single common supply line 54. While operating, the selection electrovalves 63 and the switching electrovalves 59 of each support plate 13 are switched synchronically and by moving the laminar support 5 along the processing line 1 , so as to activate the suction action during each stopping phase of the laminar support 5 on the support plates 13, and carry out the action of blowing during the translation of the laminar support in conjunction with the execution of each movement step.

The suction action exerted during each stopping phase ensures a stable positioning of the laminar support 5 on each of the support plates 13. It is therefore ensured the utmost accuracy with regard to the correct reading of the positioning of the reference indexes 45 in each of the work stations 2, as well as with regard to the proper application of the components of the RFID devices 17. The suction action exerted on the laminar support 5, indeed, ensures a stable positioning thereof on the support plate 13, in spite of possible stresses transmitted from the applicators 16 and/or other members operating on the laminar support 5 itself.

Vice versa, the blowing action performed during the translation of the laminar support 5 drastically reduces the friction due to the sliding of the laminar support 5 itself on the support plates 13. In fact, the air coming out of the through holes 50 creates, between each support plate 13 and the laminar support 5, a pneumatic bed of levitation on which the laminar support 5 itself tends to float. It is therefore possible to easily drag the laminar support 5 without causing to it excessive tensile stresses, which may result in deformations, weakening or breakage.

Moreover, the wear along the support plates 13 due to the sliding of the laminar support 5 is drastically reduced or eliminated.

Claims

1 . A method for the manufacture of RFID devices, comprising:

translating longitudinally a continuous laminar support (5), according to subsequent movement steps mutually interleaved by stopping phases, along a processing line (1 ) comprising a plurality of work stations (2) each carrying at least applicator (16) of a constructive component of an RFID device on the laminar support (5);

applying, at each stopping phase, at least one RFID module (23) in correspondence of at least a module application station (9) forming part of said plurality of work stations (2);

applying, at each movement step, at least one antenna (29) in correspondence of at least one antenna application station (10a, 10b), forming part of said plurality of work stations (2);

in at least one of the work stations (2), implementing, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases, a suction action of the laminar support (5) against a sliding surface (13a) of a support plate (13).

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein during the execution of each movement step, in at least one of the work stations (2), gaseous fluid is blown between the support plate (13) and the laminar support (5) .

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blowing of the gaseous fluid is carried out by means of air supply through said sliding surface (13a).

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the suction action and the blowing of the gaseous fluid are created by alternately sucking and dispensing air through a plurality of through holes (50) distributed on the sliding surface (13a).

5. A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein steps of detecting the position of a reference index ( 45) arranged on the laminar support (5), and applying said constructive component in a predetermined position with respect to said reference index (45) are achieved in conjunction with each of said stopping phase, in at least one of the work stations (2).

6. A plant for manufacturing RFID devices, comprising:

a plurality of work stations (2) consecutively arranged along a processing line (1 );

translation devices (6) for longitudinally conducting a continuous laminar support (5), according to subsequent movement steps mutually interleaved by stopping phases, along said processing line (1 ); and

a plurality of applicators (16), each associated with one of the work stations (2) for applying at least a constructive component of an RFID device on the laminar support (5), supported by a support plate (13) arranged in the respective work station (2); wherein

said work stations (2) include at least one of modules application station (9) configured to apply, at each movement step, at least one RFID module (23), and at least one antennas application station (10a, 10b) configured to apply, at each movement step, at least one antenna (29) paired to said RFID module (23); and wherein

at least one of said work stations (2) comprises suction devices (49) selectively activatable to implement, in conjunction with each of said stopping phases, a suction action of the laminar support (5) against a sliding surface (13a) of the respective support plate (13).

7. A plant according to claim 6, wherein said suction devices (49) comprise a plurality of through holes (50) distributed on the sliding surface (13a), said support plate (13) defining, on the opposite side with respect to the sliding surface (13a), a pneumatic chamber (52) into which said through holes (50) merge.

8. A plant according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said suction devices (49) comprise at least one having a Venturi -effect vacuum generator (53) having at least one supply conduit (56) connected to a compressed air supply line (54), at least one suction duct communicating (57) with said pneumatic chamber (52) and at least one discharge duct (58) communicating with the supply duct (56) and with the suction duct (57).

9. A plant according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, further comprising blowing devices (67) selectively activatable to dispense a gaseous fluid between the support plate (13) and the laminar support (5).

10. A plant according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising switching valve members (59) acting between the compressed air supply line (54) and the vacuum generator (53), wherein said switching valve members (59) are selectively switchable between a suction condition wherein compressed air is fed to the vacuum generator (53) and a blowing condition wherein compressed air is fed to the pneumatic chamber (52) and, preferably, the supply of compressed air to the generator of vacuum (53) is interrupted.

1 1 . A plant according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein said blowing devices (67) comprise at least a blowing pump (68) operatively connected with the support plate (13).

12. A plant according to claim 1 1 and one or more of claims 8 to 10, wherein the blowing pump (68) is pneumatically activatable upon the action of compressed air coming from the supply line (54), and comprises at least a supply conduit (56) that is connected to a compressed air supply line (54), at least one suction duct (57) communicating with the external environment and at least a delivery duct (72) operatively connected with the support plate (13).

13. A plant according to claim 10 and 12, wherein said switching valve members (59) are operatively connected with the blowing pump (68), to send compressed air to the blowing pump (68) itself.

14. A plant according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, further comprising selection valve members (64) operatively interposed between the vacuum generator (53) and the support plate (13), and operatively switchable between a suction condition wherein the vacuum generator

(53) is connected with the support plate (13) and a blowing condition wherein said pneumatic chamber (52) is connected with the compressed air supply line (54) and/or with the blowing devices (67).