Bumpy Bar Code Readers | BBC
Bumpy Bar Code (BBC) is any linear bar code symbology that has been marked on material to be read without the use of contrast. Typically bar codes are read by readers that detect the difference between the bars and the background by the amount of visual contrast (or black and white difference) between them. Bumpy Bar Codes are those marks that are created to utilize their relief or "bumpy" aspect to determine where the bars and spaces reside within the code. This technology allows a mark with zero-contrast (white bars and white spaces or black bars and black spaces) to be read without paint, ink or special lighting.
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Reading a Bumpy Bar Code |
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Models F-1010 and F-1410
Fixed-Mount Bumpy Bar Code reader is housed in a rugged NEMA 4 enclosure. The fixed-mount reader is designed for harsh industrial environments. It can withstand high temperatures, high humidity, windblown dust, and being hosed down with water.
Hand-Held Bumpy Bar Code Vision Readers
Models H-1010 and H-1410
Hand-Held Bumpy Bar Code readers are light-weight portable readers that can be used at independent work-stations, or in the field to capture the encoded message. These units are built with durable components for reliable use in harsh environments.
Anatomy of a Bumpy Bar Code Reader
MECCO's line of Bumpy Bar Code® Readers consists of models 1410 and 1010 readers in hand-held and fixed-mounted units, each tailored for applications based on product material, width and depth of bar code, marking and read range requirements. Bumpy Bar code readers are built with durable components for reliable use in harsh environments. All units read traditional black and white linear bar code symbologies, as well as 3-D Bumpy Bar Codes.
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These readers are self-contained imaging devices, combining laser illumination and CCD (charge couplied device) array imaging. Bumpy Bar Code Readers are a data input peripheral and must be connected to a host device, such as a portable data terminal, serial or keyboard wedge, or PLC. |
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LED Display Panel |
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Laser Light Window is where the laser beam passes through to illuminate the bumpy bar code. |
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The Port |
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The Camera Window |
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With the use of a pneumatically-driven pair of styli the Bumpy Bar Code and its equivalent human-readable characters is created with a dot peen marking system. One stylus has a chisel-like tip that creates a single bar; the other has a pointed tip that marks human-readable characters and dot-peen matrices. Dot peening is an accepted method of barcoding to comply with SPEC 2000, AIAG, DOD, as well as benefitting ISO quality programs.
The Mecco SP202 is ideal wherever applications favor indent marking. The SP202 produces Bumpy Bar Code as well as corresponding alphanumeric characters and data matrix.
Deeper bars can be made by the chisel stylus marking multiple hits in the same location. The second stylus has a pointed tip that marks human readable characters in the traditional dot-peen matrices of 5x7, 7x9, 13x17 and 26x34.
This illustration shows that, not only does the impact process mark the part, but some material is displaced above the surface of the part. If this displaced material is of concern to the manufacturer, it can be removed by wire wheels, grinding or sandblasting after the mark is made. For many applications this displaced material, which is inherent in the process, is acceptable and does not present a problem.
Molding and Casting into Plastic, Metal, or Rubber
These methods are ideal for making part numbers, and demonstrates Bumpy bar codes effectiveness in "zero-contrast" reading conditions. Molded-in codes allow automatic parts sorting, packaging, labeling and shipping. Bumpy Bar Code can be implemented in rubber and standard plastics. The cost savings available by eliminating paper labels is significant and the error proofing benefits of the permanently embedded bar code will enhance any assembly process.
Metal "point-of-cast" barcoding is accomplished by attaching a pre-made stencil to the wall of the mold. 1-D linear and 2-D matrix symbols can be formed.
The Bumpy Bar Code pattern can be molded in plastic and rubber by directly machining it into the mold tool, or by using engraved inserts supplied by MECCO Marking & Traceability. The mold tool can be machined by EDM or CNC milling. Software tools are available. Several additional factors should be considered when planning to mold a Bumpy Bar Code, including feature size, code density and quiet zones. Your MECCO representative will be glad to consult with you.
Laser Engraving is well suited to high-volume direct-part marking on many materials, including metal, plastic, ceramic rubber and wood. It is widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. MECCO can provide both CO2 and YAG systems determined by material to be marked.
PosiCode, Limited PosiCode and other symbologies, along with alphanumeric characters can be combined to create text messages that include part and/or lot numbers, date codes and other critical data for complete product traceability.
High quality engraved steel dies are ideal for static information such as the part numbers. Impact presses have a typical cycle time of 2-5 seconds. Corresponding alphanumeric characters can be engraved for human and machine reading capabilities. This method is well suited to sheet metal stamping operations, and can be made to accommodate existing retaining arrangements. Error-proof the assembly operation and create bills of material at the same time.
High quality engraved steel dies are ideal for static information such as the part numbers. Impact presses have a typical cycle time of 2-5 seconds. Corresponding alphanumeric characters can be engraved for human and machine reading capabilities. This method is well suited to sheet metal stamping operations, and can be made to accomodate existing retaining arrangements. Error-proof the assembly operation and create bills of material at the same time.
