As technology increases, the art of counterfeiting increases. The digital technology revolution has had a profound effect on counterfeiting technology. Each of the three major steps involved in digital imaging technology is used in counterfeiting: (1) acquiring the image, (2) processing the image, and (3) printing the image.
When we think about counterfeiting, we most typically consider banknotes. Most of us are aware of the UV lamps at stores that scan banknotes to make sure they are genuine. To detect whether or not your banknote is genuine, colorful snippets light up inside the note. The luminous particles that cause this consist of organic compounds.
The importance of a micro-tuned precision lens in the UV lamps is as important as detecting counterfeit banknotes. Having your UV lamp designed and manufactured by UKA will provide your equipment with the most precise detection service.
However, the organic compounds are not suitable for high temperatures because, in such cases, the luminous particles disintegrate. They therefore cannot be used to provide counterfeiting protection for objects that are subjected to high temperatures. Now research scientists at INM – Leibniz-Institute for New Materials have developed luminous particles that can also withstand high temperatures. When activated by UV light or X-rays, they glow orange red.
Not only is it important to detect counterfeiting with currency, it’s also important to be able to insure the quality and precision for such things as the parts used in your vehicle. Engine components, high-grade machinery for the industrial sector, and high-value appliances in private households are sometimes subjected to high temperatures when used. Original automotive parts and the corresponding replacement parts are a seal of quality to not only the manufacturers, but, also to the consumer. Knowing that your replacements are genuine gives a security of less chance of breakdown. Originality of the parts can only be proven if the counterfeit protection also withstands high temperatures and can be read easily.
“For our luminous pigments, we can achieve such temperature stability up to 600 degrees Celsius,” says INM’s Peter William de Oliveira. The developers at INM have succeeded in doing so by using a manufacturing method applying wet chemical processes. “The particles not only fulfill the demands of high temperatures but through the addition of suitable solvents, they can also be converted into printable paste. Consequently, they can easily be printed onto many materials using screen printing, for example.”
Counterfeiting is touching every part of manufacturing and printing. According to Consumer Reports, Last year, U.S. law enforcement agencies—including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations—shut down 29,684 websites that were illegally selling counterfeit goods online. Buying counterfeit goods—whether online or in person—comes with a big risk. Not only do fakes cost U.S. businesses as much as $250 billion in lost trade annually, but many are also downright dangerous.
Universe Kogaku designs and manufactures optical lenses for UV scanners, security, high tech and electronic applications. We stock 1000’s of standard lens assemblies and can custom design a solution for scanners, CCTV, CCD/CMOS, medical imaging, surveillance systems, machine vision and night vision systems.