Integrating the “Semi LWR” in Personalization Machines

Until now, customers have been accustomed to the idea that their cards are taken from their transport mechanism to be processed by the Rinas encoder and then have them reintroduced. We can overcome these difficulties with our “Semi LWR”.

Aftholderberg, Germany, October 2011 – The target is to introduce an encoding mechanism for magstripe cards within existing personalization machines as efficiently and simply as possible, explains Armin Rinas, the new managing director.

 

For both machine manufacturers and system integrators alike, the task of interrupting an existing card transport mechanism for the purpose of introducing an encoder, for example, can be a daunting one. In order to offer a solution here, we can make use of the control electronics and just those mechanical components of our highly successful LWR encoder that are responsible for the magnetic head movement. The card transport then remains in full control of the machine manufacturer. I/O signals form the communication path between the machine’s transport controller and the LWR, which will know when a card is in its encoding position. If data has been transferred by the host to the LWR via the built-in serial interface, then this information is written to the card and then read back. The status of the encoded card will then be transmitted back to the host system, and an acknowledgement released via I/O signal to the machine’s transport controller. The now encoded card can continue its processing journey while another is presented for encoding.

 

This incredibly effective type of integration does however require exemplary interaction between the machine manufacturer or system integrator and Rinas Gerätetechnik. As soon as the “Semi LWR” is integrated, Rinas will no longer have sole control of the card transport, its anchoring or for ensuring the installation height is at its optimum. Only when these three key conditions are met can the LWR prove its encoding quality.

 

That this technique was even possible was proved during the very first “Semi LWR” – Figure 1 – installation in which the customer was truly surprised at its throughput. The 2,000 cph that were initially specified was then boosted to deliver more than 4,000 cph without compromising encoding quality.

 

The one-off integration costs associated with this kind of incorporation are higher but the component costs are lower, and the cost/benefit calculation then rests with the system quantities being sold. If a complete encoder cannot be installed, then with our small footprint, non-invasive “Semi LWR” you may still have a very viable solution at hand.

 

Flexibility and the implementation of bespoke solutions or even an SDK (Software Development Kit) for an easily implemented customer controller for our encoders are just some examples that highlight our business practices.

 

---