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Accurate, functioning bar
code symbols have become a critical requirement at all stages of the
supply chain – especially as manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers
all need to meet stringent compliance targets. Poor quality bar code
symbols can lead to losses in productivity, massive shipping
returns, and even supplier fines. Bar code verification during
printing, application or before shipment saves time, money and
trouble.
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Bar code
verification is the bridge between creating the bar code image and
successful, accurate and efficient scan rates, an important part of
any bar code system. Once used exclusively by large printing houses
and / or major label vendors, bar code symbol verification is now
commonly used for on-site demand printing as well as on warehouse
receiving docks. Verifiers can be integrated, connected to the
printer or conveyor system, or they can be used in a stand-alone
configuration. These quality control instruments grade a bar code
symbol’s print quality based upon ISO and ANSI’s published criteria.
Some verifiers also provide results based on industry application
standards to ensure conformance to National, Industrial and
International standards.
Use of bar code
verification as part of your quality control process provides an
important step in increasing your AIDC system’s operating efficiency
by economically reducing potential problems caused by poor symbol
quality.
As AIDC
applications become more and more critical to a company’s success,
the cost of bar code scanning failure becomes more significant. Such
giant merchandisers as Wal-Mart, for example, have become famous for
leveling whopping fines of $50,000 or more on suppliers whose
product labels repeatedly misread. Consequently, bar code
verification systems, once exclusively used by printers and label
vendors, are now commonly used for on-site printing. Verifiers will
grade a symbol unacceptable or by degrees of acceptability based
upon ANSI’s published criteria, known as the Bar Code Print Quality
Guideline. Verification devices can be integrated in-line, attached
to the printer while monitoring the quality of every printed label
or they can be used in a standalone configuration to audit batches
of labels. In either case, verification can’t completely eliminate
bar code performance problems. Verification can, however, provide a
quantitative measure of print contrast and derive wide-to-narrow
ratios, checking printed symbol conformance against symbology print
quality standards.
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