Hologram Industry News

BOBST has launched a version of its VISIONFOIL press, specifically dedicated to security hologram application.

As more and more industries look for solutions to protect the authenticity of their products, holographic materials offer an ideal solution, helping its brand owners make a clear difference between originals and forgeries, protecting their valuable assets, and deterring counterfeiters.

However reproducing holograms, and placing them accurately on the product, require specialized equipment. Until 2010, the reference machine for flat-to-flat hologram application on paper, labels, or board has been the BOBST SP 76-BM Foilmaster, a B2 size press (equivalent to a packaging format of 0b). Now BOBST has introduced the VISIONFOIL 104 H to deliver hologram application of accuracy previously unavailable to the B1 print sector or the format 3B packaging market.

The VISIONFOIL 104 H uses BOBST’s patented, high precision Registron cameras to bring each hologram on the sheet into perfect register, be they 2-D, 2-D/2-D, 3-D, 2-D/3-D, or multiplexed. The same cameras perfectly process diffraction foils, skipping the unusable shim line areas. All current sizes of holograms can be processed using the VISIONFOIL 104 H. In addition the press handles holograms substantially larger or smaller than current industry standards - offering designers and users the opportunity to include special size holograms in their designs or portfolio of products.

The smooth foil path created by the specially designed internal foil unwind module, enables high precision foil handling and better productivity. The cameras are auto-setting, reducing make-ready time. Up to six independently driven advance shafts, increase flexibility and cut down on foil waste. The platen entry easily handles light materials which make up the majority of security print jobs.

Alongside its hologram application capabilities, the VISIONFOIL 104 H is highly flexible, being able to apply conventional as well as holographic foil. The press shares with the rest of the VISIONFOIL 104 range a maximum running speed of 7,500 sheets per hour, along with the ability to run paper and labels down to 80 gsm, carton board to 2000 gsm, and corrugated sheets up to 4 mm in thickness. The maximum sheet size the VISIONFOIL 104 H can handle is 1040×740 mm and the press features 12 individually controllable heating zones.

The VISIONFOIL 104 H is ideal for banknote printers applying holograms and/or metal stripes; software packaging manufacturers applying seals to CD/DVD cases; ticket printers producing concert, event and sporting event tickets, tobacco industry suppliers and other industries trying to protect their products or brands.

For more information please contact Marco Lideo at Bobst, Switzerland: marco.lideo@bobstgroup.com or +41-21 621 49 64 or visit www.bobstgroup.comUK scientists have “tied light in knots”, paving the way for new applications of laser technology. A team of physicists working at the universities of Bristol, Glasgow and Southampton accomplished the seemingly impossible feat using a series of holograms to control the flow of light.

The breakthrough could be used to offer unprecedented levels of precision in sophisticated applications that currently use lasers, such as speed cameras and measurement devices.

The pioneering British team implemented a previously abstract mathematical formula known as “knot theory”, which allowed them to manipulate light into “knots”, providing greater control over the direction and precision of the beam.

The sophisticated hologram design required for the experimental demonstration of the knotted light shows advanced optical control, which undoubtedly can be used in future laser devices.

Speaking on the exciting future of the home grown device, Professor Miles Padgett from Glasgow University, who led the experiments, said: “The sophisticated hologram design required for the experimental demonstration of the knotted light shows advanced optical control, which undoubtedly can be used in future laser devices.”

Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7012307/A-team-of-scientists-managed-to-tie-light-in-knots.html

NEW DELHI: Car manufacturers say if you want to learn how to increase the life of your vehicle, visit Asli Naqli pavilion at the ongoing auto expo. There, the companies have come together to tell visitors the difference between genuine and spurious spare parts and how to identify fakes. As the name of the pavilion suggests, these manufacturers are displaying their own genuine products alongside low-quality duplicates to make visitors aware of the problems of fakes so that peolpe will be more alert the next time they take their car to a mechanic.

According to the manufacturers, busting the network of spurious auto parts makers by creating awareness is their aim. Mr. Narendra Sehrawat, a representative from Bosch Limited said, ‘‘We show people visiting Asli Naqli stall the differences in packaging colours, the product numbering and the hologram.’’

According to a study conducted in 2007 by Automotive Components Association of India, spurious parts market runs into Rs 5,300 crore in the country while the total size of the vehicle parts market is Rs 16,500 crore.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Buyer-beware-Cos-at-auto-fair-give-lesson-on-fakes/articleshow/5431798.cms

New Delhi; January 6, 2010: Liquor manufacturers and suppliers have agreed in principle to use hologram and bar coding on the bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor to check rampant illegal trade. After a high level meeting on Tuesday, Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said that the Government has fixed a deadline of April 1, for introducing of bar code on the bottles of IMFL.

Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and Excise Minister Dr Ashok Kumar Walia have already given green signal to put hologram and bar-coding on each batch of cartons of IMFL, supplied to agencies like the Delhi State Industrial (DSIDC), wholesale cooperative stores and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation.

Complete news can be read at:
http://epaper.dailypioneer.com/THEPIONEER/PIONEER/2010/01/06/ArticleHtmls/06_01_2010_003_004.shtml?Mode=1

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), a not-for-profit organisation that represents and promotes the hologram industry worldwide, has elected a new board following its recent AGM held in Budapest.

Adam Scheer, marketing executive from US-based optical solutions provider JDSU, has been named Chairman of the IHMA board. He joins existing board members Khalid Khanani of Pakistan-based Metatex’s and Rob Levy of Holo-Source Corporation, also in the US.

Founded in 1983, the IHMA is a not-for-profit organization made up of more than 90 of the world’s leading hologram companies, including leading producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications.

The IHMA promotes holography worldwide and offers guidance and industry best practices to its members.

Member companies actively cooperate to maintain the highest professional, security and quality standards.

The move comes as the IHMA launches a new mission statement aimed at advancing the understanding, use and development of holograms and holographic technology, particularly in the authentication of products and documents, decoration and illustration, displays and display systems, energy and environmental improvements.

Adam Scheer is joined by a new representative for North America – API Holographics’ Alan Lake. Deputy representatives for North America and the EU/EFTA are still to be announced but the confirmed regional IHMA representatives are:

• Gurkiran Dhillon - Alpha Lasertek (India) – Asian representative
• Manoj Kochar - Holoflex (India) – deputy Asian representative
• Alan Lake – API Holographic (USA) - North American representative
• Pedro de Eguiluz Selvas - Fast Forms (Mexico) - deputy North American representative
• Simone Foine - Centro Grafico (Italy) - EU/EFTA representative
• Goran Milinovic - System Intelligence Products (Serbia) - East Europe/CIS/FSU representative
• Dmitry Paltsev - First Print Yard Holographics (Russia) - deputy East Europe/CIS/FSU representative
• U K Gupta - Holostik India Ltd - HoMAI representative (Hologram Manufacturers Association of India)

Adam Scheer said: “Innovation is flourishing in the hologram industry and it is encouraging to see new ideas being generated by both established players and companies new to the arena.

“The quality of winners at this year’s IHMA Excellence in Holography Awards also reflects this trend. Membership to the IHMA is also growing rapidly, and I am honoured to have been named its Chairman.

“During this time of growth, the IHMA remains committed more than ever to promote the interests of the hologram industry and to provide valuable support and guidance to its members.”

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association’s Excellence in Holography Awards has shown how innovation continues to push the boundaries for new holographic applications.

This year’s awards were presented at the dinner of the annual holography conference Holopack•Holo-print® in Budapest, Hungary in November. They recognise outstanding industry achievement and are presented to organisations who have introduced the most innovative or commercially viable hologram product or technique over the year.

The quality of entries was as high as ever with award winners demonstrating that ground breaking technology coupled with imaginative applications reinforces the important role holography plays, particularly in tackling anti-counterfeiting and authentication.

Holostik India Ltd has created a technique for using low optical density (OD) metalizing on holographic embossing without touching the sealing side of PVC, enabling blister packs to be produced with the hologram on the blister side, which won the ‘Innovation in Holographic Production ’ category.

This advanced hologram for blister packaging can save time and money in production as it does not require changes to the set up of existing packaging machines. Metalizing also enhances the barrier property of PVC blister film while a high temperature scratch proof coating on the hologram, which can be transparent or coloured, was also praised for its technical excellence.

A new holographic security film on polycarbonate (PC) from optical solutions provider JDSU, scooped the prize for the ‘Best Applied Security Product’. Holofuse™ is a laminate layer for PC ID cards, so it requires no additional card manufacturing stage, and the material bonds at the molecular level. It thwarts ID and passport counterfeiters because the holographic layer is integral and cannot be removed from the rest of the card.

Another development came from Specialized Enterprise Holography LLC, which has developed a new holographic security feature for potential ID and document applications among others. Its new T.I.G.R.A. (Transparent Interacting Gratings) security device won the ‘Innovation in Holographic Technique’ category following its appearance as part of the design of a special project dedicated to the famous Ukrainian scientist Ivan Pulyui, whose pioneering work contributed to the discovery of X-rays.

T.I.G.R.A. comprises two holograms, each partially demetallised in a pattern of lines, so that when these are mounted together they produce a dynamic moiré pattern. Control of the period and layout of the lines determines the moiré pattern, so that this can be part of the design of the seen image.

Decorative paper producer Hazen Paper won the ‘Best Origination’ Award for an eye-catching holographic calendar. The ‘Smooth Sailing’ 2009 calendar was recognised for its innovative use of advanced holographic technology combined with opaque and translucent inks to create high impact, visually striking imagery.

The potential use of holography in intellectual property protection was illustrated in a ground breaking project by Optaglio, which won the ‘Best Applied Decorative Product’. The company used holographic technology as an integral part of a publication featuring stories by young mid-European based writers. The publication, produced for Platform Culture Central Europe, uses tiny holograms to hold the complete works in nanotext together with the authors’ portraits.

The Brian Monaghan Award for Business Achievement was made to Dino Radice of Centro Grafico DG in recognition of his transformation of the company from an intaglio printer to a hologram and holographic substrate producer. This has been achieved not only by re-positioning the company but also through the installation of purpose-built equipment to enable Centro Grafico to become a highly respected supplier of films to surface-relief hologram producers.

Organised by the IHMA, the 17thannual Excellence in Holography Awards - sponsored by industry newsletter Holography News® - recognise outstanding industry success and achievement.

The awards go to those organisations that have introduced the most innovative or commercially viable hologram product or technique over the year.

Delegates from the worldwide holography community attended this year’s presentations at the 20th Holopack•Holo-print® conference, held - fittingly - in Budapest, the birthplace of the inventor of the hologram, Denis Gabor.

A display of products from the winners and runners-up was also on show at the conference, signalling the breadth and depth of the technology’s applications and commercial span.

Presenting the awards, outgoing IHMA chairman Philip Hudson, said: “Innovation and quality were again to the fore and congratulations to the winners for their outstanding contribution to the holographic industry over the past year. They have demonstrated the highest technical expertise to design and deliver extremely effective, eye-catching and cost effective holographic solutions which continue to push the boundaries.”

The winners and companies that were highly commended were each awarded a special holographic glass trophy, supplied by Hspace of Canada.

For additional information on the projects and photos, visit the website for the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (www.ihma.org).

List of Awards and Commendations

Innovation in Holographic Technique
Award: Specialized Enterprise Holography for Ivan Pulyui
Commended: Holostik India Ltd for Pisco Peru Plata

Innovation in Holographic Production and OEM Product
Award: Holostik India Limited for its innovative holographic blister packaging
Commended: Optaglio s.r.o. for OVMesh™

Best Origination
Award: Hazen Paper Company for ‘Smooth Sailing with Hazen Paper’ 2009 calendar

Best Applied Security Product
Award: JDSU for HoloFuse™
Commended: Holostik India Ltd for Vanali

Best Applied Decorative Product
Award: Opataglio for Platform Culture Central Europe
Commended: Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary Program Booklet

Brian Monaghan Award for Business Innovation
Award: Dino Radice, Centro DG S.P.A

Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based provider of pharmaceutical labeling products, has developed a transparent hologram seal that provides evidence of tampering and counterfeiting to ensure the safety of packaged pharmaceutical products. The seal is fixed with a heavy duty adhesive and any attempts to peel it off would damage the packaging surface. Also, the seal features a 2D single–image design and dynamic special effects that would make counterfeiting especially difficult.

The transparency of the seal ensures that variable data such as batch information remains legible and intact. The Transparent-Hologram-Seal is economical for small volume orders. The seal was developed in conjunction with Schreiner MediPharma’s sister company, Schreiner ProSecure, which specializes in authentication, tamper-protection and track and trace solutions.
Sources: http://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/schreiner_medipharm_introduces_transpare

New technology continues to push the boundaries of holography as an effective ID anti-counterfeiting device. Here, Philip Hudson, chairman of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, looks at one of the most significant – polycarbonate (PC) security laminates – and the benefits they provide.

In recent years we have seen polycarbonate-faced ID cards become increasingly widespread, aided by the use of smaller and lower cost laser engraving equipment. It is estimated that some 40% of passports worldwide and most national ID card programmes now use PC.

The main attraction of hardwearing PC from a security perspective is that the layers that make up the card or data page are fused together during production, losing all laminar structure, and cannot be prised apart individually. This is a great benefit as any printing, personal data or security feature like a hologram contained within the depth of the card cannot be accessed using mechanical means by anyone trying to tamper with the document.

Holograms, recommended for passports by ICAO and mandatory in the EU, have traditionally had metallised or high refractive index-coated acrylic bases. However, there are drawbacks: firstly, the brightness of the image can fade either during the heat and pressure of the lamination process or simply become dull over time. Secondly, the bond between the hologram and the polycarbonate is a weak point in the card and might result in a breakdown in the lamination of the layers.

But recently we have seen advancements in PC security laminates which could overcome both drawbacks.

The Holofuse™ from JDSU is a new PC film incorporating a clear holographic pattern into the surface without the use of adhesives. The technology, aimed at the identity document security market, is the first of its kind and will thwart counterfeiters as the holographic layer is integral and cannot be removed from the rest of the card.

The partially transparent and customised hologram within the polycarbonate film includes overt, covert and forensic security features.

The hologram is cast in to a coating which then fuses with the polycarbonate before being ready for lamination to the substrates used for ID and passport pages. It is also suitable for the laser engraving of the personal data – all of which avoids the need for a separate lamination step following the application of the variable data.

The cost saving benefit together with improved anti-counterfeiting capability will appeal to manufacturers of documents like passports, identity cards and drivers’ licenses, where resistance to counterfeiting is vital.

There is already considerable interest in Holofuse™, particularly as optical features can be incorporated into the hologram at the time of origination and more security layers in the form of tagants and yes can be added if required.

Another interesting PC development comes from Optaglio with its OVmesh™, a perforated metallic holographic patch which embedded in the laminated PC card. OVmesh™ patches are metal and do not deteriorate under heat and pressure, retaining a high degree of brightness and clarity over a long period.

A key feature is the pitch of the mesh can be tuned to provide variable transparency over the area of the hologram, so that part of the hologram can appear fully metallised for improved verification of the overt and covert security features. Other areas can be transparent over personal data such as the photograph.

During the lamination process, the PC melts and flows through the perforations in the mesh to allow complete bonding between the layers, making it more resistant to delamination when compared to standard embedded holograms. Individual patches can be serial numbered by laser engraving to provide an audit trail of each holographic image, data page or card during the production process and in the finished product.

The product is compliant ICAO and EU requirements on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by members countries, and is already in production for use in the new electronic passport being produced in Europe.

It’s certain that there are some exciting new developments out there to reaffirm holography’s pre-eminent position as an effective, added value solution for putting eye-catching, hard to copy images onto brands without relying on the application of a label – providing an extremely cost effective anti-counterfeiting solution in the process.