Introduction to Industrial Barcode Reading

Back to Basics: Introduction to Industrial Barcode Reading

1 Agenda . What is a barcode? . History . 1-D codes . Types and terminology . 2-D codes . Types and terminology . Marking Methods . Laser Scanning . Image-Based Reading . Hardware and Software . Communication . How to select a reader

. A barcode is a machine readable representation of data related to the object it is attached to. . A barcode reader is used to read these codes in order to track the object throughout its lifecycle.

. The first product to ever be scanned was in 1974. . By the 1980s, scanning for retail became worldwide. . Today, codes can be both 1-D and 2-D. . Where can I find barcodes?

Food Medical & Packaging Pharmaceutical

Automotive Aerospace Electronics 5

Different types Industry terminology Common uses

UPC-A Code 39

Code 128 Interleaved 2 of 5

Codabar Pharmacode 7

. Quiet Zone . Guard Pattern . Narrow Bar Width

Different types Industry terminology Marking methods Common uses

DataMatrix QR-Code

Aztec Code MaxiCode

10 | © 2014 Cognex Corporation 2-D Code Terminology . 24 square and 6 rectangular formats . 3,116 numeric or 2,335 alphanumeric characters . Cell presence/absence check tolerates poor printing . Error correction improves read rates . Scalable . Reading accuracy . 1 misread error in 10.5 million scans

Requires an image-based ID reader to decode

1-D and 2-D Printed Codes . Inkjet . Labels . Most basic . Cost effective . Less flexible, pre-determined code data

2-D Direct Part Marking (DPM) . Dot Peen . Chemically Etched . Laser Marked

Which code type does your facility use? 1) 1-D Barcodes 2) 2-D Codes 3) Both 4) Neither 5) Unsure

What is it? How does it work? Benefits Limitations

Barcode Light Detector Signal Digitized Signal

Cost . No image processor . Uses oscillating mirrors Speed . Fast scan rates, some up to 1300 scan/sec Decoding at long distances . 6 to 24 inches away . Long range can do multiple feet away Most common and longest in use

17 | © 2014 Cognex Corporation Limitations of Laser Scanners Hard to scan barcodes . Poorly printed . Defective / damaged . Low contrast . Specular reflections . Narrow-heighted Unidirectional scanning . No omnidirectional (360°) or at least orthogonal (0° and 90°) reading . Mounting and positioning constraints Moving parts are subject to failure Cannot read 2-D codes

What is it? How does it work? Pixels per module Image formation Benefits Limitations

How many pixels on the sensor for each module, at a focal distance. Example:

Definition: 752 Pixels One Module Sensor 480 Pixels

Lens Working Distance

78 mm

12x12 Code 5mm x 5mm 50 mm

23 | © 2014 Cognex Corporation Image-Based Barcode Readers: Image Formation Lighting . Dark ink, light background—simple direct illumination . DPM require more advanced lighting techniques . Reader should have ideal focus settings . Lens advisor: S-Mount, C-Mount, Liquid lens

Diffuse Dome: Bright Field Lighting: Highly reflective & curved surface High contrast labels & DPM parts Dark Field Lighting: Dot Peen & laser DPM DPM reading

No Moving Parts . Solid state device . Longer life than laser scanners High Read Rates . Can read damaged/ properly marked codes . Omnidirectional reading Image Feedback . Store No-Read images . Find out why a code does not read

Cost . In the past, imager processors were very expensive Speed . Older readers can be slow due to less advanced processors Can be difficult to setup . Software needed for some system . Good image for processing

Which type of reader are you currently using? 1) Laser based 2) Image based 3) Both 4) Neither

Ethernet TCP/IP RS-232 USB Keyboard-Mode Discrete I/O FTP

PLC Integration . Ethernet/IP : Allen Bradley Add On Profile . PROFINET : Siemens . MC Protocol: Mitsubishi . Modbus TCP : Schneider Electric Storing Data to a Database . Oracle . SAP: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Discrete I/O

1) Ethernet/IP 2) Modbus 3) PROFINET 4) MC Protocol 5) Other 6) Unknown

Read rates . Best algorithms to decode 1-D and 99.9% 2-D codes . Reduce No-Reads and misreads Durability/Life of reader VS. . Solid state device, no moving parts Ease of setup . User friendly software Communication . Need a reader that supports your facilities protocol

Best-in-class algorithms . DPM Codes • Shiny material . Poor quality codes • Small • Low contrast codes

Durability/ Life of Reader . Solid state readers, no moving parts Ease of Setup . Easy tuning in software and hardware . Liquid Lens technology Communication . Supports popular industrial protocols and communication protocols Cognex Products . Full line of handheld and fixed-mount readers . Different price & performance options

1. What is the ROI advantage of image-based barcode readers over laser scanners? 2. How does a facility transition from laser scanners to image-based barcode readers? 3. I have 2-D DPM codes and 1-D barcodes. Do I need 2 different types of barcode readers in my facility?