Tokyo-headquartered Toppan Printing, a global leader in communication, security, packaging, décor materials, and electronics solutions, has launched sales of Near cross D 2.9, an RFID tag with a battery-free display that can enhance traceability, enable labor-saving, and drive paperless processes in manufacturing, distribution, and retail.
Near cross D 2.9 uses HF band communication compliant with the widely-used ISO/IEC 15693 standard and is therefore compatible with the existing reader, writers, and RFID systems. According to Toppan, the information on the screen can be changed in approximately three seconds, and the E Ink (commercial leader in ePaper technology) electronic paper display can be refreshed more than 100,000 times using just the power for wireless RFID communication, with no power required to maintain the information displayed. The absence of a battery eliminates the need for charging, replacement, or other maintenance. It also enables Near cross D 2.9 to drive greater efficiency for product management by streamlining such processes as relabeling and instructions for logistics.
Electronic paper display offers good visibility
The electronic paper display needs no backlight and offers good visibility in ambient light conditions, therefore raising accuracy when scanning barcodes and QR codes with cameras or infrared light, Toppan said. Near cross D 2.9 also makes it possible to display information in multiple languages to optimize communication among diverse workforces without printing or affixing additional logistics labels or instructions.
“Near cross D 2.9 rationalizes processes in manufacturing and other settings and helps to address such issues as the decline in Japan’s working population and the need to enhance environmental performance by saving resources and energy,” said Toru Yoshino, general manager of Device Development in Toppan’s Security Business Center. “It can be adopted on a standalone basis, but can also be combined with NAVINECT, Toppan’s end-to-end service for driving digital transformation in manufacturing, to leverage diverse data and achieve greater productivity, efficiency, and quality.”
Sales of Near cross D 2.9 will be handled by Chronos, a division of Marubun launched in April 2016. Marubun is a Tokyo-based trading company offering, domestically and internationally, cutting-edge electronics products such as semiconductors and electronic application equipment. Since establishment, Marubun has focused on industry and the R & D field based on electronics technology and offered products, information, and services to create a competitive advantage and enhance customer satisfaction. Chronos handles a wide variety of products, such as domestic and foreign semiconductors, sensors, memory, and connectors.
