An overview of RF coils

The manufacturing of RF coils mainly involves the winding of an isolated wire around a core. In order to prepare RF coils of different shapes, the shape of the core can be rectangular, circular, or elliptical.

In order to join two similar or different ultra-fine wires, manufacturers mainly use thermal compression bonding technology. This technology is very much effective to connect ultra-fine wires and providing great tolerance at a high temperature. Due to the invention of thermal compression bonding technology, manufacturers have now found a solution for the problem of using the traditional soldering method. The traditional soldering-based connection had certain drawbacks such as oxidization problems, low durability, and inferior connectivity.Besides solving these problems, thermal compression bonding technology is effective to connect ultra-fine wires of 9microns diameter and it can also connect wires of different diameters.

The winding of wire helps to generate a magnetic field around the core. However, intensification of the magnetic field occurs through the coil.The shape of the magnetic field is like a bar magnet that has North and South poles. However, depending on the need, the shape of the micro-coils can be different. The strength of the magnetic field increases with the addition of extra layers of wire through winding technology.

Applications of RF coils

RF coils or Radiofrequency coils have significant usages in different industries. However, mainly in the medical and electronics industry, the demand for RF coils is huge. In the preparation of MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines, RF coils are extensively used. Here, the function of the RF coils is to transmit and receive signals.

The challenges

Due to the need for miniaturization, the major challenge that many manufacturing companies are facing is the size constraint of the devices. The main purpose of miniaturization is to reduce energy consumption and the required physical space and to reach inaccessible areas of the human body. The size constraint has created challenges for the manufacturing process of the micro-coils and advanced winding and connecting technology have become essential for the ultra-fine wires.

In order to deal with the challenges, the major criteria that a manufacturing company should possess are as follows-

I. The ability of economic mass production.

II. Manufacturers should take a safe manufacturing process to mitigate the damage of the sensitive devices.

III. The company should provide high-quality assurance for enhancing the longevity of the components.

IV. High tolerance of the coils and the oxidization-free reliable connections are the other criteria that should come into consideration inthe manufacturing process.

V. Many organizations are nowwant to have automated manufacturing processes in order to eliminate human errors. It is also important to note that orthocyclic winding machines are effective to produce RF coils where the upper layer takes place in the grooves of the lower layers and provides an excellent fill factor.