Our Technology
Using the vacuum-based coating process “Physical Vapor Deposition” (PVD), a thin inorganic layer is applied to a transparent, flexible PET carrier film.
The coated PET film is then placed with the PVD side onto the product surface, stretched, or fixed as a self-adhesive version in the focal plane of a standard marking laser.
With appropriately set laser parameters, the activation of the laser beam causes the PVD layer to be transferred from the PET film to the product surface, simultaneously implementing the specific, counterfeit-proof properties.
Both the PVD processes and the interaction of the PVD layer with the laser beam can generate properties and functionalities in the layers that are not possible with other coating methods. Specifically, this means that the creation of the laser layers is not subject to thermochemical equilibrium conditions.
Counterfeit protection is guaranteed because both the coating process parameter settings during the production of the laser films and the exact laser parameter settings for the laser-induced markings—which are in turn adapted for the specific product surface—must be precisely known.
Re-engineering the lasered, counterfeit-proof layers is not possible.
The method of authentication is determined in consultation with the customer and can be done, for example, with a smartphone.
Further information can also be integrated into the counterfeit-proof marking, e.g., in the form of a Data Matrix code, which is itself designed to be counterfeit-proof but can be read with standard apps like a “regular code.”
