Direct Part Marked (DPM) barcodes are a special breed. DPM barcodes are imaged directly onto metal, plastic or other substrates. They are not printed with a pigment on a label, paper or other packaging material.

DPM barcodes are usually Datamatrix symbols. Linear barcodes are never used in DPM.

Barcode Verification: A Quick Review

Barcode verification is an accurate and reliable, standards-based method to predict whether a barcode will scan at its intended usage. In a supply chain, that usage can be at multiple points along its journey from the source to various transfer points and distribution centers to the ultimate outlet. A consumer item going to a big box store is a great example. The item is scanned out when it leaves the manufacturer. Then it could be scanned into and out of several transfer points on its way to a distribution center, where it is again scanned in and out, on its way to the retail outlet where it is scanned in and finally scanned out at point of sale. Imagine how many different types of scanners it encountered: laser scanners, CCD scanners and digital imagers.

Regardless of the technological differences, these scanners share important attributes. All of them use 45-degree lighting and require the barcode to achieve a specified minimum reflective difference between the barcode and its background.

DPM Verification: The barcode on square metal pipe from etching machine. The laser etching machine.

Forty-five-degree illumination is not a fixed standard for scanning DPM barcodes. The goal of verification is the same as with printed barcodes: predict whether or not the barcode will scan. Consequently, DPM verifiers must be able to capture the barcode image by using various lighting angles.

This is where verification must be done with care and consideration. DPM scanners cannot provide all DPM lighting angles. A special verifier may be required. The verifier must be matched to the lighting angle of the scanner that will be used on a particular DPM barcode. This is an important difference between verifiers of printed barcodes and those for DPM barcodes. It is of no use to verify a DPM barcode using a lighting angle not used by the scanner.

Even when the verifier is matched to the lighting angle of the scanner, the barcode can fail the verification report. That is the point of verifying. The report will expose problems and opportunities for improvement in the imaging process.

Barcode Test LLC Can Help

Make sure your barcodes work right. We can help you solve an immediate problem, and prevent a future one. Our barcode test lab has verifiers for every type of imaging including DPM. Protecting your supply chain protects you, your reputation and your future business.

 

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3db Barcode Testimonial

Our company (an advanced software company) recently worked with Barcode Test to source a barcode verifier.  Not long ago, we were awarded a contract requiring products to be marked with IUIDs in accordance with MIL-STD-130.  For that standard, marking labels must pass a verification test that evaluates many variables (contrast, size, clarity, syntax, modularity, and more).  After a thorough search, we reduced our options to a select few.

In our search for a verifier, the Axicon line caught our attention.  Barcode Test is our regional reseller for this product.   From the beginning, they were very prompt with their responses.  We ended up having a quick call with John Nachtrieb to go over our needs.  John was extremely easy to work with and provided a lot of great information.  He was very knowledgeable on the matter and was quick to offer up a demo unit (free of charge).

Upon receiving the demo verifier and testing it, a few questions arose.  John joined a call with us and answered all our questions.  Ultimately, the Axicon verifier wasn’t the best fit for us, so we shipped the demo back.  John was completely understanding.  A few weeks later, Barcode Test reached back out with another possible verifier for us to try.  While they didn’t sell that brand, they just wanted to help us find the best option that met our needs. They even offered to send us the unit that they have in-house to see if it worked to our liking. 

Barcode Test is truly a great company to work with.  Their service and willingness to help the customer are far beyond what you typically get from other companies.  They are experts in barcode quality assurance and seem willing to help in any way they can (even if that means not getting a sale and recommending another option that better fits the customer’s needs).  If anyone is in the market for barcode verification/scanning services or products, I would highly recommend giving Barcode Test a call.

Regards,

Production Manager