Auto ID: Bar Code, RFID, Industrial Printing

Auto ID is a general name for technology used to identify specific components.  For example, bar codes are an easy way to identify what product you are purchasing.  You can use a radio frequency (RF) ID tag on a pallet to tell a work station what assembly is entering the work station.  

There are many different ways to perform auto ID.  We typically work with bar codes, RFID, magnetic cards, machine vision and the oldest method, printing.

Bar Code

Bar codes are in use everywhere from the grocery store to security systems.  Bar codes are easy and inexpensive to use.  The most common problems are temperature extremes, dirt, and reusability.  Most people now have experience with bar codes since almost everything purchased in stores has a bar code label that is scanned at check-out.  Most of the advantages and disadvantages you see while making purchases carry over to industrial and laboratory applications.  Bar codes used in stores are only designed to last for a short period of time and to be used once.  Industrial bar codes are more rugged but can still degrade over time.  

If you label a pallet, storage bin, tank, or other device you might expect that bar code to be read many times over several years.  Bar codes become less reliable the longer they are exposed to the real-world environment.  There are many different ways to print or produce bar code labels that are more reliable than what you see in stores.  

Another disadvantage of the bar code is that the label contains very little data -- a single number -- that references a database.  This has changed in that there are now 2D (dimensional) bar codes that can store much more data and are more reliable.  However, 2D bar codes are more expensive to read and print.  

There are print and apply labelers that will print a bar code on a label (along with any other text you want) and then apply the label to a smooth surface as the box or object moves down the production line.  Print and apply labelers range from simple and off-the-shelf to very complex.  Simple units are used to apply labels to the outside of a square box.  Custom, more complex machines are developed that can print and apply a label to almost any object.  We wrote the code for one labeler that applied the labels to retractable tape measures.  

RF ID

Radio Frequency "tags" are small enclosed devices that when in range of a read / write device will communicate.  RF tags can be read-only or read-write.  These tags are more rugged than barcodes and are typically placed on pallets, machine tools, and other items.  The tags are not very expensive but the read / write heads can be expensive (read only heads are only as expensive as bar code laser scanners).  Tags are designed to be reusable.  

Magnetic Stripe

Most employee badges now have magnetic stripes that allow them to use building access security systems. We sometimes use the same badge to log in an operator at a machine.  

Printing

Printing is still an option and is sometimes combined with a bar code.  For example, the status of an assembly can be determined and then a label can be printed and applied to the assembly.  Newer advances do not require labels.  Four methods we have used are stamp, laser, impact and ink jet printing.  Note that these are industrial printers -- not office printers.  

Stamp printing is just like a rubber stamp you buy from an office supply store except these stamp printers are industrial strength.  You can manually change the characters / data that will printed on the label.  Normally the label is stamped and then applied to the package.  The stamp can include any information such as  production date and lot code.  

Laser printers fire laser beams that burn the characters into the surface.  These are used a lot in pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. 

With impact printing you fire metal rods to create a dot matrix character. 

The inkjet printers shoot drops of ink in precise locations to form characters.  A lot of the consumer products that you buy will have data printed on them in a dot matrix format.  Typically these are printed using inkjet printers that fire the ink onto the surface from a distance of several inches as the products are moving down a conveyor line.   

Using Auto ID

Most forms of Auto ID do not contain large amounts of random access memory storage.  For example, if pallets or carriers are used in a manufacturing / laboratory environment and RF tags are contained within the pallet or carrier then all of the data associated with the items on the pallet can be stored in the RF tag on the pallet.  Serial number, test results, dates and times of processes, etc.  

Usually only a unique serial identifier is present on the pallet / carrier / item and all associated data is stored in a database.  The bar code or RF tag reader reads the number and then that number is used to look-up data about that specific part in the database.  

Auto Id Links

• Accraply -- one of the leaders in print and apply

• Accu-Sort -- bar code scanners

• Action Packaging Systems -- labels, applicators, printers, ribbons, print and apply systems

• Auto ID Center -- click on "About the Technology" for tutorials

• Auto ID News -- tutorials, manufacturers

• Auto Labe -- semi-automatic, automatic, print and apply, stamp imprinter

• Azalea Software -- sells bar code fonts, software, scanners and wands

• Bar Code Discount -- Bar code printers, scanners, software, labels, ribbons, Point Of Sale (POS)

• Bar Code Discount Warehouse -- readers, labels, printers, software

• Bar Code Outfitters -- data collectors, readers, scanners, wands, CCD, software, printers, labels

• Bar Code Label Source -- industrial bar code labels: aluminum, polyester, ceramic, steel; resin coated, Teflon coated

• Cognitive -- bar code printer and print and apply

• Datalogic -- bar code readers

• Domino -- Laser and inkjet printers

• DSX Tech -- ActiveX barcodes for any OLE compatible containers such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel or develop advanced barcode applications using VB.

• E-Labeling -- printers, ribbons, software, labels

• Electronic Imaging Materials -- bar code labels for pharmaceutical, industrial, and other harsh environments

• Escort Memory Systems -- RF ID

• Fath Software -- BarcodeX is a full-featured ActiveX control for generating almost any type of barcode

• Global Scan Technologies -- scanners, software, printers

• Hallogram -- Windows True Type bar code fonts

• Hand Held Products -- bar code readers, software, portable computers and printers

• IDAutomation.com -- Barcode ActiveX Controls, DLLs & OCX.  Easily print barcodes from Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, FrontPage, Office, Visual Basic, C++, Visual FoxPro, Borland Delphi and C++ Builder

• Industrial Labeling Systems -- bar code printing, apply

• Intermec  -- bar code

• JIT Technologies -- custom print and apply labels located in Graham, NC

• Keyence -- they also have bar code readers

• Lanpoint -- industrial products

• Loveshaw / "Little David" -- printers, labelers, print and apply, case sealers

• Mabry Software -- BarCod ActiveX makes barcode display and printing really easy. 

• Marconi Data Systems -- Videojet, Chesire, Marsh printers

• Markem -- industrial printers

• Metalcraft -- bar code labels and nameplates

• Microscan -- industrial scanners

• Panther Industries -- manufacturer of automated "Print and Apply" equipment

• RFID Journal

• System ID Warehouse  -- Bar Code

• Symbol -- scanners, software, data collectors

• Taltech -- Bar code ActiveX and DLLs

• Telesis -- industrial laser and pinstamp printers (cuts into surface)

• Videx -- contact & laser scanners, button readers

• Willett -- industrial printers

• Wasp Bar Code -- scanners, software, PDA products, tracking, printers, labels, tutorials, ActiveX, DLL

• Worldmark -- thermal printers, labels, applicators

• #1 Bar Code Printers -- bar-code printers, labels and other bar-code accessories

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