As barcode technology matured and expanded into more critical roles, barcodes are used on a wider variety of materials and  packaging  configurations:

  • metallic tubes and other cylindrical shapes
  • metallic-like bags, pouches and labels
  • parts and sub-assemblies of every  imaginable size, shape and substrate.

Barcode verification is challenging when the barcode is not on a flat surface. What types of  barcode verifiers are available to handle these non-standard barcode attributes?

Gun Type Barcode Verifiers

Verifiers that use handheld gun-type scanners are an obvious choice for barcodes on cylindrical and other non-flat surfaces. But such devices are non-compliant  to ISO 15426-1. This standard defines the test methodology and accuracy requirements for verifiers that use the ISO 15416 specification to test linear barcodes. Handheld gun scanners are non-compliant; they are incapable of accurately testing reflectivity and contrast because the handheld scanner is not at a fixed angle and distance from the barcode. This is important.

Popular gun-type verifiers test and grade barcodes on non-flat surfaces. They have a loyal following of users because they are very easy to use. However, they cannot QCtest the barcode to the full ISO 15416 specification and therefore the test results are incomplete. Incomplete test grades could be optimistic or pessimistic: but in any case, unreliable. Users cannot be confident their barcodes are acceptable. Ironically these devices are not less expensive than compliant verifiers. Why bother?

Fixed Focus Verifiers

Most ISO compliant verifiers test barcodes on flat surfaces. How does this work on cylindrical surfaces? Although they are designed to be placed directly on top of the barcode, inverted or side-scan positioning is possible.  Position the barcode at the scan window. The Axicon 15000 series is designed specifically to provide this sort of flexibility.

Focusing Verifiers

Webscan DPM TowerA versatile ISO compliant verifier for non-flat barcodes is the Webscan TruCheck 2D USB Tower. It is a non-contact verifier and uses a laser focusing system to verify 1D or 2D barcodes on a wide variety of surfaces. For example, the bottom surfaces of sub-assemblies such as a populated circuit board where the barcode cannot be directly accessed with a fixed focus verifier.

What is the right barcode verifier for your application? If an off-the-shelf solution is not available, an adaptation with a fabricated fixture or a custom modification from one of the manufacturers may be available. Barcode-Test represents a full range of verifiers. We help users find the right device for their unique situation.

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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