BARCODE GRADING. Guide, Best-Practices &

Transcription

1 BARCODE GRADING Guide, Best-Practices & Technical Considerations

2 raw materials end product VANTAGE SOLVES TOUGH INTEGRATION PROBLEMS Professional service resources as extensions of client engineering, operations, and quality groups Turnkey projects, from management through execution: including analysis, design, implementation, startup and validation

3 ROB MAGEE Mr. Magee has over 20 years of experience as a technical software professional. He brings a deep experience in supply-chain systems integration, software development, cloud based technologies, information systems security and distributed application design to the Vantage portfolio of clients. JOHN CAPANTS, P.E. Mr. Capants is responsible for implementation activities for Vantage clients in the packaging, serialization and automation service. Previously, Mr. Capants was at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Executive Director of Engineering Technology and Qualification. FRANK GUTHRIE Mr. Guthrie manages all aspects of select Vantage Consulting clientele, from initial development through project management and overseeing technical teams. Mr. Guthrie s background includes extensive implementation of serialization and aggregation levels on multiple packaging lines.

4 What is Barcode Grading? How Barcodes Are Graded When & Where to Grade Substrate Considerations Printer Considerations TOPICS Q&A with Vantage Engineering Team

5 WHAT IS BARCODE GRADING? Focus on GS1 DataMatrix

6 DataMatrix A matrix two-dimensional (2D) barcode which may be printed as a square or rectangular symbol made up of individual dots or squares Scanability - Consistent ability to read data under varying conditions Verification - Examination and grading of optical characteristics compared to industry standards

7 GRADING PARAMETERS

8 MAJOR PARAMETERS Decode Symbol Contrast Modulation Fixed Pattern Damage 5 Grid & Axial Non-Uniformity Ex. Data Matrix Ideal Grid GRADING PARAMETERS

9 DECODE Pass / Fail Subsequent grading relies on pass Failure indicates an overall failure for the barcode Common failure cause: Insufficient quiet zones GRADING PARAMETERS

10 SYMBOL CONTRAST Graded 0 through 4 Contrast = Lightest Reflectance - Lowest Reflectance Contrast between light & dark Dark Print on Light Substrate = Better Grades Common Failures: Substrate is too dark/print is too light Ex. Symbol with very poor Symbol Contrast GRADING PARAMETERS

11 MODULATION Graded 0 through 4 Uniformity Consistency of contrast Common Failures: Reflective substrates, uneven printing, print head/paper shift GRADING PARAMETERS

12 FIXED PATTERN DAMAGE Graded 0 through 4 Checks for damage to key barcode patterns used for location & decode Clock Track (dotted edges) Finder Pattern (solid edges) Quiet Zone Common Failures: Print head burnout/wear, spotty substrate Ex. Symbol with Fixed Pattern Damage (clock track defect) GRADING PARAMETERS

13 GRID & AXIAL NON- UNIFORMITY x y Graded 0 through 4 Shape & vector deviation Data Matrix should be evenly distributed across square pattern GRADING PARAMETERS

14 BEST PRACTICE GUIDE

15 WHERE TO GRADE On-Line / In-Line Integrated to packaging line Continuous Inspection Off-Line / At-line Remove samples from line for sampling at intervals BEST PRACTICES

16 ASPECTS OF ON- LINE/OFF- LINE On-line/In-line 100 % inspection/verification Dynamic/variable conditions for image capture More difficult to calibrate Off-line/At-line Calibration/traceability Consistent, repeatable conditions for image capture Additional effort/activity to collect and test samples BEST PRACTICES

17 PRINTER CONSIDERATIONS Ink Jet Laser Ablation & Marking Thermal Transfer

18 SUBSTRATE CONSIDERATIONS Gloss Unvarnished Laser/Thermal Options Carton vs. Bottle Considerations Label Size Factors BEST PRACTICES

19 OPEN FORUM Q&A More information CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 601 Route 206 Suite Hillsborough, New Jersey USA Phone: (908)