Automatic tag reader
Automatic tag reading – an immense number of barcodes of numerous qualities and only one verification
We took this immensely time-consuming process that allowed for a large margin for error and automated and condensed it into only 3 seconds! This proved to be the successful solution for the automation of the SMD reel label verification, too. Inadvertent interchanging of SMDs (Surface Mounted Devices) of identical dimension but different properties on the automatic implanting machines may lead to large volumes of rejected production, therefore identifying these coils correctly is an important element of the logistical processes of goods reception / production preparation. The erroneous identification of a coil upon reception and its subsequent false labelling may result in the false internal identification labels being accepted by the implanting machine’s controlling software, after which the machine begins implanting the inappropriate components. With the Vonalkód Rendszerház solution introduced below, this process, which can potentially lead to large-scale product recalls, can be managed and halted with the smallest possible loss in time.
While the task is seemingly straightforward, it will no longer seem easy when we consider the number and quality of codes found on SMD coils. This is exactly why it is an immensely time-consuming task to manually receive SMD coils, read 12-16 barcodes per reel, then compare these data sets with the data in the internal article master and decide whether the data received are suitable.
The first step in the automation of reel verification is to determine the type of barcode reader that will be suitable for the task.
For the verification process we need to select a barcode reader that is capable of simultaneously reading up to 12-16 barcodes from the entire surface of the coil, and has a quality reading unit that can perfectly read barcodes of various quality, bearing in mind that the barcodes coming from certain suppliers in a lot of cases do not even meet the bare minimum of requirements.
During manual reel verification, the codes read off at the same time do not enter the system as structured data, but in bulk form, as and when the reader managed to read them off. The second important step in the automation process is to define an algorithm that can arrange this influx of data and is able to decide during the reading cycle of the barcodes whether the data read off a coil correspond to those of the internal article master or not.
Once the automated reel verification has been introduced, the work process becomes straightforward: after the software is started, the reader connects to it via Ethernet and awaits commencement of reading in a state ready for data. The operator then places the coil underneath the barcode reader and the reading begins. Based on the codes read, the system displays the number of single and multiple matches found, and the software background will turn green if the coil has passed the inspection. If no matches are found, the surface turns red, informing the operator of having found no matches between the data read and the data in the article master. Should the quality of the code be outside the legible range, the system also allows manual data entry with the help of a manual reader. The system logs the reading results, therefore the reading result of a particular coil from a given producer produced at a particular time and read by a particular operator can be checked practically anytime.
Using the system substantially simplifies the verification of the incoming coils, the throughput capability soars and, most importantly, inappropriate coils are prevented from entering production.