Barcodes and 2D Codes Printing Techniques

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HHR-TSPHand Held ReadersTechnical
SupportBarcodes and 2D codesPlace -
DD/MM/YYYY - Session XXCode Printing Techniques
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Agenda

• When Day DD/MM/YYYY
• Where Place
• Who Speaker / Professional qualification
• What Code Printing Techniques
• Duration HHMM hours
• Level Basic

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Modules Contents

• Introduction
• 2D Codes Printing Considerations
• Printing Technologies
• Direct Part marking
• Non-intrusive Marking Methods
• Intrusive Marking Methods
• Quality Considerations Data Matrix

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Introduction

• Code symbols may be produced in a variety of
  ways
• by printing the code symbol onto a separate label
• by direct marking (as with laser etching,
  embossing, dot peening, ink jet, )
• For our purposes, the terms "print" and "printer"
  refer to the production of a code whether the
  image is printed or etched
• The importance of precise code printing cannot be
  overstated

Success of the whole set of integrated
technologies that comprise an entire code system
depends upon code print quality
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2D Codes Printing Considerations

• Same printing Considerations of 1D bar codes are
  valid for 2D codes
• Module size X lt--gt Cell size X,Y
• 2D compensates printing dropouts (risk to
  cancel a single cell) using Error Correction
  Capability (ECC).It replaces and enhances the
  former vertical redundancy of 1D bar code.
• All standard barcode printing techniques can be
  applied to 2D codes

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Printing Technologies (1/1)

• The most common print technologies are
• Direct Thermal heating elements in the printhead
  are selectively heated to form an image on a
  heat-sensitive substrate.
• Thermal Transfer based on an intervening ribbon
  with resin-based or wax-based ink is heated and
  transfers the image from the ribbon to the
  substrate.
• Ink Jet this technology uses a fixed printhead
  with a number of tiny orifices that project tiny
  droplets of ink onto a substrate to form an image
  made up of overlapping dots.
• Laser (Xerographic) the image is formed on an
  electrostatically charged, photo-conductive drum
  using a controlled laser beam.
• Dot Matrix Impact a moving printhead, with one
  or more vertical rows of hammers, produces images
  by multiple passes over a ribbon

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Printing Technologies (2/2)

• A printers resolution is simply how many dots it
  can print in an inch (or mm)
• The resolution is referred to as DPI (Dots Per
  Inch)
• Most laser printers today are capable of 300-1200
  DPI, while the average ink jet prints at 360 or
  720 DPI. A printer's resolution, and output
  quality, determine the 'X' dimensions that are
  available for a specific printer.
• The possible X' dimensions for a specific printer
  are determined by the following formula
• X N / DPI
• Where X --gt The X dimension N --gt Number of
  dots per module (or X dimension) DPI --gt The
  printer's resolution

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Direct Part Marking (1/6)

• Direct Part Marking (DPM) is generally suggested
  in applications where
• Traceability is required after the product is
  separated from its temporary identification
• The part is too small to be marked with bar code
  labels or tags
• The part is subjected to environmental conditions
  that preclude the use of add-on identification
  means
• Identification is required beyond the expended
  life of the part to preclude further use
• Direct Part marking can be divided into two
  primary categories
• Non-intrusive
• Intrusive (disrupts the surface characteristic)

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Direct Part Marking (2/6)

• Non-intrusive marking methods, also known as
  additive markings, are produced as part of the
  manufacturing process or by adding a layer of
  media to the surface using methods that have no
  adverse effect on material properties. These
  methods include
• Automated Adhesive dispensing
• Ink Jet
• Silk Screen
• Laser Bonding
• The main limitations of these techniques are
• Marking surfaces must be cleaned prior to marking
• Immersion in liquids, high temperatures,
  abrasion, rubbing, ..

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Direct Part Marking (3/6)

• Intrusive marking methods alter a parts surface
  (abrade, cut, burn, vaporize, etc.) if not done
  properly, they can degrade material properties
  beyond a point of acceptability. Typical
  intrusive marking methods include
• Embossing
• Dot Peening or Micro-perforation
• Abrasive blast operates by directing a mixture
  of dry air and abrasive through a small tungsten
  carbide nozzle at high velocity
• Electro-chemical Etching (ECE) removes metal
  from a metal object by electrolysis
• Engraving is applied by removing material from
  the parts surface using a computer guided carbide
  tipped cutter or diamond drag
• Direct laser marking

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Direct Part Marking (4/6)

• Dot Peening is achieved by striking a carbide or
  diamond tipped marker stylus against the surface
  of the material being marked
• Symbol size is controlled by the size and tip
  angle of the stylus, dot spacing or by altering
  the number of strikes per data cell.
• Single or multiple strikes can used
• Single Pin markers are normally preferred for use
  in more applications
• Hand-held markers are acceptable but must be
  clamped to the surface to prevent unwanted
  movement during the marking operations
• Dot peen marking is generally limited to parts
  exposed to harsh manufacturing, operational,
  and/or refurbishment conditions.

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Direct Part Marking (5/6)

• Laser Marking Methods the various direct
  laser-marking methods commonly used are
• Laser Coloring is a process used to discolor
  metallic substrate material without burning,
  melting, or vaporizing the substrate material
• Laser Etching is similar to laser coloring
  except that the heat applied to the surface is
  increased to a level that causes substrate
  surface melting. Can be applied directly on a
  surface or to a surface coating
• Laser Engraving involves more heat than laser
  etching and results in the removal of substrate
  material through vaporization
• Laser Shotpeening is a marking process for metal
  components that imprints an identification coding
  and leaves the surface in residual compressive
  stress

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Direct Part Marking (6/6)

• Laser Etching on Surface Coating

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Quality Considerations Data Matrix (1/2)

• AIM Specification for Data Matrix Parameters
• Reference Decode decoding result by an AIM
  specified algorithm
• Symbol Contrast reflectance difference between
  light and dark elements
• Print Growth tendency of printing system to over
  or under print elements. Measure the difference
  between the actual elements vs. their nominal
  size
• Axial Non Uniformity average element
  displacement with respect to ideal symbol grid.
  Indicates if there is a geometrical distortion of
  the grid
• Unused Error Correction how much the Error
  Correction Capability was used to decode the
  symbol

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Quality Considerations Data Matrix (2/2)

• AIM Specification for Data Matrix Grade
• For each parameter a verifier calculates a GRADE
• Grades range from A B C D to F (like 1D bar code
  best to worst)
• Overall Symbol Grade Contrast the lowest of
  parameters grades