barcode grading - vantage • verification - examination and grading of optical characteristics...

BARCODE GRADING Guide, Best-Practices & Technica l Considerations

VANTAGE SOLVES TOUGH INTEGRATION PROBLEMS

raw materials end product

• Professional service resources as extensions of client engineering, operations, and quality groups

• Turnkey projects, from management through execution: including analysis, design, implementation, startup and validation

ROB MAGEE FRANK GUTHRIEJOHN CAPANTS, P.E.

Mr. Magee has over 20 years of experience as a technical software professional. He brings a deep experience in supply-chain systems integration, software development, cloud based technologies, information systems security and distributed application design to the Vantage portfolio of clients.

Mr. Capants is responsible for implementation activities for Vantage clients in the packaging, serialization and automation service. Previously, Mr. Capants was at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Executive Director of Engineering Technology and Qualification.

Mr. Guthrie manages all aspects of select Vantage Consulting clientele, from initial development through project management and overseeing technical teams. Mr. Guthrie’s background includes extensive implementation of serialization and aggregation levels on multiple packaging lines.

• What is Barcode Grading?

• How Barcodes Are Graded

• When & Where to Grade

• Substrate Considerations

• Printer Considerations

• Q&A with Vantage Engineering Team TOP ICS

WHAT I S B ARCOD E G RAD IN G ? Fo cu s o n G S1 D a t aM at r i x

• Scanability - Consistent ability to read data under varying conditions • Verification - Examination and grading of optical

characteristics compared to industry standards

A matrix two-dimensional (2D) barcode which may be printed as a square or rectangular symbol made

up of individual dots or squares

D a t a M a t r i x

G RAD IN G PARAM E TE RS

G R A D I N G PA R A M E T E R S

M A J O R PA R A M E T E R S

Decode Symbol Contrast Modulation

Fixed Pattern Damage 5Grid & Axial Non-Uniformity

Ex. Data Matrix Ideal Grid

• Pass / Fail • Subsequent grading relies on

pass • Failure indicates an overall

failure for the barcode • Common failure cause:

Insufficient quiet zones

G R A D I N G PA R A M E T E R S

D E C O D E

• Graded 0 through 4 • Contrast = Lightest Reflectance - Lowest Reflectance • Contrast between light & dark • Dark Print on Light Substrate = Better Grades • Common Failures:

Substrate is too dark/print is too light

Ex. Symbol with very poor Symbol Contrast G R A D I N G

PA R A M E T E R S

S Y M B O L C O N T R A S T

• Graded 0 through 4 • Uniformity • Consistency of contrast • Common Failures:

Reflective substrates, uneven printing, print head/paper shift

G R A D I N G PA R A M E T E R S

M O D U L AT I O N

• Graded 0 through 4 • Checks for damage to key barcode patterns used

for location & decode • Clock Track (dotted edges) • Finder Pattern (solid edges) • Quiet Zone

• Common Failures: Print head burnout/wear, spotty substrate

G R A D I N G PA R A M E T E R S

F I X E D PAT T E R N D A M A G E

Ex. Symbol with Fixed Pattern Damage (clock track defect)

• Graded 0 through 4 • Shape & vector deviation • Data Matrix should be

evenly distributed across square pattern

G R A D I N G PA R A M E T E R S

G R I D & A X I A L N O N - U N I F O R M I T Y

x

y

B E ST PRACT ICE G U ID E

On-Line / In-Line

B E S T P R A C T I C E S

W H E R E TO G R A D E

• Integrated to packaging line • Continuous Inspection

Off-Line / At-line • Remove samples from line

for sampling at intervals

• On-line/In-line • 100 % inspection/verification • Dynamic/variable conditions for

image capture • More difficult to calibrate

B E S T P R A C T I C E S

A S P E C T S O F O N - L I N E / O F F - L I N E

• Off-line/At-line • Calibration/traceability • Consistent, repeatable

conditions for image capture • Additional effort/activity to

collect and test samples

P R I N T ER C ON S I D ER AT I ON S

Laser Ablation & MarkingInk Jet Thermal Transfer

• Gloss • Unvarnished

• Laser/Thermal Options • Carton vs. Bottle Considerations

• Label Size Factors

B E S T P R A C T I C E S

S UBS T R AT E C ON S I D ER AT I ON S

OPE N FORUM Q&A

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 601 Route 206 Suite 26-700 Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844 USA Email: info@vantage-cg.com Phone: (908) 281-1808

More information https://www.vantage-cg.com/education-series/