NFC, short for Near Field Communication technology, is a powerful medium in short range wireless communication, facilitating data sharing between an NFC tag sticker and an NFC reader. It uses radio frequency signals or electromagnetic fields for communication, same as RFID technology, however, using only the 13.56MHz frequency.
Similar to Radio Frequency Identification technology, NFC also faces interference around metal surfaces and liquid items. if you apply a normal NFC label on a metal object, say a metal RTI container, bin or medical tool, the chances are that it won’t give you the desired results. It will fail to read around metal and liquid items. This is where on-metal NFC tag stickers come into play.
NFC anti-metal tags are specially designed NFC tag stickers that can be used on metal and liquid surfaces overcoming interference issues.
In this blog, let’s find out how NFC on-metal labels work around metal surfaces and an NFC anti-metal tag is designed to ensure best results.
Designing an NFC on-metal Tag Sticker
An on-metal NFC tag is designed slightly different than a normal NFC sticker. On principle, an Anti-metal NFC tag is designed by adding a separation between the tag inlay and the metal surface, similar to an on-metal RFID tag.
Normally, an NFC tag inlay is designed by bonding an NFC chip and antenna on a substrate. This NFC inlay, when covered with a paper or waterproof PET material is known as Dry inlay.
Now, when an adhesive backing is added to the rear side of the dry inlay, it becomes a Wet inlay.
Up until now, we have a normal NFC sticker which is suitable for all kinds of asset tagging, NFC business cards, NFC access cards, NFC PVC ID cards and key fobs, etc. These NFC stickers are less costly than an Anti-metal NFC sticker and used in digital payments as well.
Now, to create an Anti-metal NFC tag sticker, you need to add additional backing, a sort of electrically nonconductive barrier, known as ferrite barrier to this tag. This new tag design with ferrite barrier ensure that the NFC tag doesn’t detune around metal surface or liquid surfaces. It is known as on-metal NFC tag sticker.
NFC Anti-Metal Tag Sticker Chip
The NFC chip is a primary component of an NFC tag apart from the NFC antenna. The NFC chip stores information about the tagged asset. For designing an NFC anti-metal tag, there are many NFC chip to choose from, namely the NXP NTAG213, NTAG215, NTAG216, and the NFC NTAG424 DNA. The NXP chips come with distinct storage capacity and security measures. While the NXP NTAG213 comes with 144 bytes storage, NTAG215 comes with 504 bytes and NTAG216 comes with 888 bytes of storage, the NXP NTAG 424 DNA chip comes with 416 bytes of user memory and SUN (Secure Unique NFC) message and AES128 encryption as built-in security. These NFC chips can be easily integrated into an NFC on-metal tag.
What are the Benefits of On-metal NFC Tags?
An anti-metal NFC tag offers several advantages over a normal NFC sticker as it can be used on metal surfaces and liquid containing items.
On-metal NFC tag stickers are specially designed to function effectively on metal surfaces, overcoming the limitations of standard NFC tags.
Here are 10 benefits of using these anti-metal NFC tags across various industries:
1.Unlike standard NFC tags, on-metal NFC stickers are engineered to work seamlessly on metal surfaces, making them ideal for industrial applications where metal is prevalent.
2. These tags are often made from robust materials such as PET that can withstand harsh environments, ensuring they remain functional over time, even in challenging conditions.
3. On-metal NFC tags provide a cost-effective way to implement NFC technology in industries like manufacturing and logistics, where traditional tags would fail.
4. They facilitate easy and quick interactions for users, allowing for seamless data sharing and enhancing the overall user experience in challenging metal environments.
5. These tags can be used in various sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, and retail, for purposes such as inventory management, asset tracking, and customer engagement.
6. On-metal NFC tags can enhance security measures by enabling secure access control systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with sensitive equipment.
7. By integrating on-metal NFC tags into operational workflows, businesses can streamline processes such as inventory checks and equipment maintenance, leading to increased efficiency.
8. Retailers can use these tags to enhance customer engagement by providing instant access to product information, promotions, or loyalty programs directly from metal displays.
9. Many on-metal NFC tags are designed to resist environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures, making them suitable for outdoor and industrial use.
10. Businesses can leverage on-metal NFC tags for innovative marketing strategies, such as interactive displays that allow customers to learn more about products or services with a simple tap.
To summarize, on-metal NFC tag stickers are the perfect solution when it comes to using NFC in a metal or liquid environment. These tags are designed to overcome interference issues around metals and liquids due to their unique design where an added barrier of ferrate material separates the metal surface from the NFC tag surface.
NFC anti-metal tags can be used in manufacturing, healthcare, supply chain, marketing and promotion, etc.
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