Abstract:
A two-dimensional array of magnetomechanical markers (20) is adhered to a continuous web (62). A magnetizer element (70) is scanned (74) across the web (62) to magnetize the bias elements in a group of markers (20) with a first polarity, thereby activating the group of markers. The web (62) is then advanced (68) and the magnetizer (70) is scanned across the web in an opposite direction (76) to the previous scan to magnetize the bias elements of a second group of the markers (20) with a second polarity, thereby activating the second group of markers. The web (62) is slit in a longitudinal direction to produce web-strips each carrying a column of the activated markers. The web-strips are rolled to form marker roll assemblies each having about half the bias elements magnetized with a first polarity and the remaining bias elements magnetized with an opposite polarity. The roll of activated markers forms no more than a minimal "leakage" magnetic field.