Electronic Entity Fabrication via Integrated Mould Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional two-stage process for manufacturing electronic entities, such as microcircuit cards, is inefficient due to the separation of manufacturing and personalization stages, particularly when hardening of the substrate material is involved, leading to increased production time and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the personalization step into the manufacturing process by using a mould for both forming and personalizing the electronic entity, either during or before the material hardening, allowing for simultaneous production and personalization, including electrical and graphical personalization methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the manufacturing and personalization stages are separated into two distinct stages, then each stage can be optimized independently, but the overall production time increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manufacturing stage and personalization stage into a single integrated process. The personalization operations (data storage, graphical representation creation) are performed while the electronic entity is still in the mould during the hardening process, eliminating the need for separate transport and setup between stages, thus reducing overall production time while maintaining independent optimization capabilities
2Ease of manufacture
If the manufacturing and personalization stages are separated into two distinct stages, then each stage can be optimized independently, but the operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines manufacturing and personalization into one continuous process within the same equipment (mould), eliminating redundant operations such as transporting the entity between stages and performing setup procedures. This integration reduces energy consumption and operational costs while preserving the ability to independently optimize each functional stage
3Ease of operation
If personalization is performed after the entity is removed from the mould, then the entity can be fully formed and handled, but the overall production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs personalization operations in advance while the entity is still in the mould during the hardening process. Data is stored in the memory and graphical representations are created before the entity is fully formed and removed, eliminating the waiting time that would otherwise be required after removal. The entity is handled minimally only when necessary
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces overall production time and complexity by overlapping the hardening and personalization processes, enabling faster and more efficient production of electronic entities like microcircuit cards and USB keys.
Implementation Method 1
forming at least part of the entity by hardening a material in a mould
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabricating an electronic entity includes the steps of: forming at least part of the entity by hardening a material (28) in a mold, and (26); personalizing the entity while in the mould (26). A corresponding device is also described.