Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Digital system ideal for marking small components", Sensor Review, Vol. 19 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1999.08719baf.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Digital system ideal for marking small components
Digital system ideal for marking small components
Keywords Auto, ID
A component marking and tracking system that allows literally hundreds of times more information to be encoded onto a small area than even the most efficient bar code system is available from TPL Labels Ltd of East Kilbride, Scotland. This makes it ideal for accurately identifying and precisely monitoring the progress of small parts during the manufacturing process (see Plate 7).
Plate 7 Data matrix system from TPL Labels is ideal for identifying small components
With the new system, the size of area taken up by the bar code is smaller and contains much more information.
Bar coding requires a high degree of precision to ensure that bars and spaces are well defined, uniform and have sharp edges. Because it uses digital identification technology, the new Data Matrix system requires less precision and contrast in printing.
Data Matrix readers need to determine only whether an element is light or dark. Rough edges, low contrast and similar irregularities do not affect the symbols. A much wider range of printing and marking options is therefore available on a variety of surfaces. The symbols can also be easily produced on conventional label and office printers.
Because characters are encoded in their native binary patterns, the system is inherently multilingual. Its natural digital structure also makes it ideal for encoding photographs, biometric data or any other binary stream information.
The code readers scan in two dimensions, so the system is easily integrated into existing tracking set-ups with dual scanners.
Further details from TPL Labels Ltd, 18 Singer Road, Kelvin Estate, East Kilbride G75 0XS. Tel: +44 (0)1355 900900; Fax: +44(0)1355 900800, by Fleet Communications Ltd, Mitre House, 44-46 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1BN.