OMRON Corporation , a $5.5 billion Japanese manufacturer of automation and sensing products, plans to boost RFID inlay manufacturing capacity to 250 million units per year.
This follows Omron’s announcement last November of its $20 million worldwide investment in the RFID business over a two-year period.
Omron will continue to add inlay production capacity to further increase annual production above 350 million inlays within the next 12 months.
The product line expansion will take place at Omron’s Minakuchi factory in Shiga, Japan, which has more than 30 years of experience with semiconductors and class 10000 clean room standards.
“Omron RFID is stepping up its capabilities, responding to the increasing market demand and aggressively pursuing the global RFID market,” said Bill Arnold, chief strategist for Omron RFID.
Omron RFID inlays are manufactured using a patented process called “Jomful”. Instead of applying adhesives, Jomful utilises an ultrasonic welding method to bond the chip and strap to the substrate. Inlays are produced up to 10 times faster than adhesive-based processes and contain a more robust electrical connection. The results are higher survivability and reliability for label conversion and application for the supply chain.
Arnold added, “Armed with Jomful-quality RFID inlays now enhanced by production in class 10000 clean room standards, Omron is ready to supply the high volumes needed for the supply chain market and lower the total cost for RFID tags.”