Novel exposure system using light-emitting diodes and an optical fiber array for printing serial numbers and code...

Feasibility of a novel exposure system to print serial numbers and two-dimensional code marks was demonstrated. The new system used light-emitting diodes (LEDs) combined with an optical fiber matrix array as a light source. At first, as preparatory experiments, code mark patterns were printed using a prototype exposure system without using the optical fiber array but using the combination of arrayed LEDs with a central wavelength of 428 nm, spherical lenses, and rod lenses. Although the code mark patterns were successfully printed, it took too much exposure time. For this reason, bullet-type LEDs with a high power and a shorter wavelength of 405 nm were used and the optical fiber matrix array was adopted. Because the emitted light rays were efficiently taken into the fiber, and the resist sensitivity was improved, practically available short exposure time of less than 2 s was obtained.