Foil laminate intermediate and method of manufacturing
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal foil laminate which may be used for example to produce an antenna for a radio frequency (RFID) tag, electronic circuit, photovoltaic module or the like. A web of material is provided to at least one cutting station in which a first pattern is generated in the web of material. A further cutting may occur to create additional modifications in order to provide additional features for the intended end use of the product. The cutting may be performed by a laser either alone or in combinations with other cutting technologies.
1. A method of making a metal foil laminate of an antenna structure in a roll to roll process comprising;
providing a first web of material in a continuous format;
applying a pattern of adhesive to a first face of the first web of material;
selectively deadening portions of the adhesive;
providing a second web of conductive material;
positioning the second web of conductive material over the pattern of adhesive to form a foil laminate;
cutting the foil laminate at a first cutting station to form an intermediate shape;
advancing the foil laminate having the intermediate shape to a second cutting station;
cutting the intermediate shape at the second cutting station by continuous ablation to form a finished antenna structure with at least an opening to receive an integrated circuit, wherein the selectively deadening portions of the adhesive occurs in areas of the first web material that are outside of an area of the finished antenna structure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting station comprises a laser.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second cutting station comprises a laser.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein cutting the intermediate shape by continuous ablation forms a finished antenna structure with a first electrical contact separated from a second electrical contact.