Latest News on Security Threads for Banknotes

In this issue, we look at two of those new features, both security threads, from Crane Currency and Oberthur Fiduciaire. In subsequent issues, we will look at some of the new inks and other print-based features coming onto the market.

Intelligent security with RAPID Vision

Crane Currency has launched RAPID® Vision, which it describes as a new, innovative and intelligent micro-optic security thread for banknotes that takes high-contrast colour movement to a new level.

‘RAPID Vision is the best banknote security thread on the market, and a tribute to Crane Currency’s R&D and production teams. It is a breakthrough innovation, unlocking for our central bank customers fluid, fast-moving colour movements never seen before. It’s an intelligent security solution given its ability to address the many needs of modern banknotes, both for the public and machines,’ said Sam Keayes, President of Crane Currency, at the launch.

The new thread feature was unveiled at Crane Currency’s Public First event for customers at its printworks in Malta. The CEO of Secure Perception Research presented the results of a public perception study assessing the particular trigger features used in RAPID Vision.

‘The study showed that the addition of colour movement effects allowed the public to more quickly verify the feature and without any loss of accuracy. Highly accurate verification was achieved in fractions of a second,’ she said.

RAPID Vision is the latest in a long line of micro-optics innovations from Crane, which spawned a whole new generation of optically variable features for banknotes. It began with MOTION® (first unveiled back in 2004 and which made its debut on a circulating banknote in 2006). It then progressed through RAPID, a MOTION advancement launched in 2014 with smaller lenses displaying faster movement and lower angles of tilt, followed by RAPID Detect in 2019 (with an IR element for machine readability), and RAPID HD (with high colour definition).

Up until now, Crane’s micro-optics features have been in single colours, the security effects resting on the counter-intuitive movement of the graphics (icons). The key to RAPID Vision is that it exhibits different real-time colour effects that are synchronised with the movement. This is a combination that has never been achieved before, says Crane, and represents a step-change advancement in security for banknotes.

The thread can be manufactured in widths of 4-6mm, and is fully customised in terms of colour, movement and graphic combinations. It is durable and virtually impervious to soiling, and is available with IR (RAPID Detect) for high-speed machine readability.

Pulsar – a dynamic response to counterfeiting

On the subject of micro-optic threads, in February’s issue of Authentication & Brand News™, we covered the acquisition by Oberthur Fiduciaire (OF) of two thirds of the shares of the Swedish micro-optics firm RollingOptics, signalling its intention to focus on the growing area of micro-optics for security features.

But even before that acquisition, OF had launched Pulsar™. It describes this as a new generation of micro-optic thread technology that combines colour (fixed or shifting) and dynamic movement, using the latest micro-optical techniques to create a unique, personalised, secure and high-impact security thread which is ideally suited to protecting banknotes against the latest counterfeit threats.

The inspiration behind the design of Pulsar is nature, a regular source of ideas for scientific innovation. OF took sand dunes, which serve as large and smooth-curved mirrors producing fascinating interplays of light and dark between sunlight and shade, and used the same concept but at the microscopic level, converting the effects into greyscale image.

OF then took the greyscale image and converted it into microstructures using a high-end engraving technology. The original engraved glass material is thus the first step in the creation of Pulsar thread. It is then followed by many manufacturing steps culminating in a dynamic and eye-catching thread that produces high-impact moving effects when tilted.

In essence, the Pulsar structure consists of an array of curved micro-mirrors that reflect light back to the observer. As the thread is tilted along the vertical and horizontal axes, the micro-mirrors generate subtle colour variations and dynamic rippling movements. The micro-mirrors can be assembled in different ways to produce a range of eye-catching effects and customisable designs.

Pulsar is available from 3mm to 6mm widths and with optional UV inks. It can also be magnetised for automated sorting machines.

Two versions have been developed – Pulsar™ color and Pulsar™ colorshift. The first combines dynamic micro-optic effects with a single visible colour. The second, as its name implies, combines dynamic micro-optic effects with a colour-shifting effect. The manufacturing process is similar, but in this case the tinted layer is replaced by a vacuum-deposited layer producing the colour shift. When combined, the result is an intense, bright and dynamic movement.

According to OF, Pulsar has successfully passed all the chemical and physical tests and fully complies with banknote standards. These tests were done either on the exposed or embedded thread, and because the structure is fully protected, it survives in harsh conditions.