Barcodes are everywhere and used in critical applications. Barcodes keep manufacturing systems operating. They maintain unbroken supply chains; they secure access to aircraft, sporting and entertainment venues and perform myriad other essential functions. Global standards are the basis for making sure barcodes work right. Compliant verification devices do the important ground-level work of checking and grading barcodes.

Barcode verifiers compliant to global standards protect users from potential liabilities, sometimes known as chargebacks. Compliant barcode verifiers signal poorly printed or incorrectly structured barcodes. Using a scanner or a non-compliant verifier does not provide any such protection.

Verifiers comply with Global Standards

Think of compliance as a moment in time. The compliance standards address the known, measurable variables that contribute to (or detract from) successful barcode scanning. Scanning is based on reflectivity—specifically the reflective differences between the barcode and its background or substrate. Scanning occurs in the fraction of a second.

A compliant barcode verifier eliminates ambient light influence and scans the barcode from a fixed distance and angle. The light source, in the prescribed spectral range, bounces red spectrum light off the barcode at a precise angle. The optical train collects the reflected light in two values: the high reflectance or RMax value from the background and the low reflectance or RMin value from the barcode itself. A new, compliant verifier does this within a specified tolerance or margin of error.

Verifiers Require Maintenance

Things change over time. Dusty or dirty environment regrade the reflectance values entering the verifier’s optical path. Dust coating on mirrors, lenses and sensors influences scanning performance. Rough handling or accidents cracks mirrors, misaligns sensors and dislodges filters. Wear and tear effects scanners and verifiers. Poorly performing scanners are a prime example of how a verifier can protect a vendor from chargebacks—but the verifier must be accurate.

Annual verifier maintenance and conformance testing confirms verifier accuracy. Routine maintenance includes:

  • general exterior cleaning and inspection for damage
  • testing for LED fade and unevenness
  • accuracy of X dimension and aperture
  • updating firmware
  • interior cleaning and inspection of optical system

Repairs and parts replacements can include:

  • adjustment of misaligned optics
  • trigger switches replacement
  • update LEDs
  • replacement of communications/power cables

A factory trained and certified facility returns a clean, inspected and re-certified verifier, ready for another year of protection against chargebacks, unhappy trading partners and the avoidable stress of questionable barcodes.

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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