Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Verify and Monitor Barcode Quality Inline and in Real Time

Topics Barcode Quality: The Challenges The Trouble with Today’s Methods The Answer: Machine Vision Verification Microscan Verification Kits Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Part Numbers and Configurations Frequently Asked Questions Key Takeaways

Barcode Quality: The Challenges Verify the quality and long-term readability of codes marked by a variety of means: Serialized barcodes printed on labels or product packaging Product codes printed directly on secondary packaging Parts directly marked with identifying codes

Barcode Quality: The Challenges Pre-Printed Packaging Materials: Costly inventory of pre-printed labels and boxes Estimate: >/= 1.5 cents per label versus 0.002 cents per direct print Need warehouse space for inventory Produces scrap when product changes Time lost during product changeover Print-On-Demand Applications: Packaging is scrapped when there are unreadable printed codes Downtime associated with unreadable barcodes: manual data entry, re-scanning, relabeling Supply chain issues – customer fines, costly returns Supplier disqualification due to lack of ISO compliance

The Trouble with Today’s Methods Offline verification Problems with the marking method go undetected until next sample is verified offline Scrap and downtime to determine scope of issue Confirm readability using a barcode reader Does not tell how well the code can be read Does not analyze the code and provide data Does not provide trending analysis based triggers Does not alert to a problem until there actually is one.

The Answer: Machine Vision Verification Verification measures the quality of a barcode to a published standard ISO 15415/AIM DPM : 2D symbols ISO 15416 : 1D symbols Verification results are expressed in grades 4 / A = perfect − 0 / F = very poor Machine vision verification is camera-based Images are captured by the camera to be processed in detail by machine vision software

Why Verify? Because all marking systems degrade over time and once a code is marked, its quality never gets better! Checking that a code can/cannot be read is not good enough. It must be readable with an adequate margin. Without verification, some “bad” codes escape into the process. With verification, we prevent bad codes from ever being made.

Machine Vision Verification Recommended Setups True verification requires ISO/AIM-compliant light & undistorted image. C-mount lenses preferred Perpendicular mounting to avoid perspective distortion Fixed distance At least 8 pixels per element Shield from ambient light A short (<250µs) exposure time for moving symbols Large Linear 1D codes 1D/2D Glossy Labels Dot Peen DPM 2D codes

Microscan Verification Kits Large Linear Verification Kit Distance Width of FOV Min Symbol Size (Narrow Bar) Notes Min FOV 6.2” 3.4” 0.014” >= 8 pixels over width of smallest element Max FOV 16.5” 8.0” 0.032” Include quiet zone 2 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera NERLITE® Smart Series MAX 300

Microscan Verification Kits 1D/2D Label Verification Kit Distance FOV Min Narrow Bar/ cell size Notes 1- 9/16” above surface 2” x 1.06” 0.012” >= 8 pixels per element per ISO15415 2 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera NERLITE® Smart Series Pharmalite

Microscan Verification Kits Dot PeenVerification Kit Distance FOV Min Narrow Bar/ cell size Notes 1” (25mm) above surface 1” x 0.75” 0.006” >= 8 pixels per element per ISO15415 1.3 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera Dot Peen Kit

Which Verification Kit Do I Choose? Application LARGE LINEAR 1D/2D LABEL DOT PEEN Inline 1D (<2”) or 2D ( <1”) Label Verification X Offline 1D (<2”) or 2D ( <1”) Label Verification Inline 1D code Verification ( >2”, <8” ) Offline 1D code Verification ( >2”, <8”) Inline DPM (DOT PEEN <1”) Offline DPM (DOT PEEN <1”) Why choose a Verification Kit over a turn-key Microscan Verifier? Kits offer the same solution for both inline and offline verification Kits verify multiple symbologies, rather than being customized to one set Kits add other vision tools because they employ vision software Kit software features multi-language support

Comparison with Microscan Verifiers Feature LARGE LINEAR 1D/2D DOT PEEN LDP Verifier DPM Verifier Reporting X Line Speed Dynamic Offline 1D Symbols X* Multi-Language UID compliant Integrated Portable Setup Medium Easy * matte 1D symbols, <1” FOV

Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Plug-in for Microscan AutoVISION® Machine Vision Software. Expands on capabilities of standard Microscan machine vision verification to provide trending and detailed analysis of verification data. Without verification, some “bad” codes escape into the process. With verification, we prevent bad codes from ever being made. PLUS – We can use trending with VMI to trigger alerts or actions based on code quality changes.

Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Who does VMI benefit? Manufacturers who utilize direct print methods to reduce inventory costs of labels & boxes and downtime associated with product changeovers. What does VMI do? Grades every code to verify it meets certain legibility criteria. Continuous process monitoring - catches any downward trend in print quality so you can fix it before a material scrap or quality issue from unreadable codes. Where is VMI implemented? Inline as soon after marking as possible to minimize other variables. Why should I use VMI? More retailers and distributors are imposing fines for unreadable codes. Common examples: $10/case, $200/shipment, $500 flat fee

Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Microscan’s Complete Verification Solution: VMI Kit: Large Linear Verification Kit, VMI software license key, & accessories Verification grade trending enables triggers associated with: Consecutive failures, X fails in Y cycles, average code grade over Y cycles A trending condition trigger can be used to stop a production line, turn on a stack light, initiate a print head purge, or other action. Trial: 2% retailer reject rate, $10/case 3 weeks (250K cases) 3 Week Savings: $25K By reducing rejects to 1%!

Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Visualization through AutoVISION Software: EtherNet/IP & PROFINET I/O 4 user access levels Simple, application specific UI Ability to save images and data in .csv file Configurable alarm trend counts Verification reporting Customiz-able grading Trending visualization

VMI Configuration Required Hardware: MAX MAX 300, Red, Wide, M12 connector

VMI Configuration

Part Numbers and Configurations Description SLN-0000004 Dot Peen Verification Kit SLN-0000005 1D/2D Label Verification Kit SLN-0000006 Large Linear Verification Kit SLN-0000018 VMI with Large Linear Verification Kit & accessories Kits include light, camera, calibration card, bracket, lens, etc. VMI add-ons: VMI licenses, cord sets, and power supply

Frequently Asked Questions Where do I get the VMI software? VMI is available for download on the Microscan website to be used in Emulator mode (license key required to use on camera). Is VMI a standalone software? No. Users must install AutoVISION® machine vision software before installing VMI. A custom version of AutoVISION is required, and is part of the VMI download package. Can VMI be used with existing hardware? Yes, on AutoVISION hardware with a software upgrade license. In order to meet barcode quality standards, VMI is not recommended for products with integrated lighting or optics. 98-000217-05, Verification & VMI License (A)

Frequently Asked Questions How fast is VMI? Verification for trend monitoring is processing-intensive and saving images and data taxes the smart camera even more. With the 2MP camera set to collect all images and data, the maximum recommended speed is 30ppm. For faster speeds, the system can be configured to turn off image capture. The user may also need to use a lower-resolution camera such as the WVGA. Can human-readable text like date & lot codes be read using VMI? Yes, text can be read using AutoVISION OCR/OCV tools available through the VMI plug-in provided the data is within the FOV and you can still achieve the minimum 8 pixels per element.

Key Takeaways Quality barcodes are critical for ensuring product tracking and identification Code quality is affected by factors from degradation of marking methods to simple wear and tear Confirming barcode readability by random offline sample checking or using barcode readers does not ensure 100% quality or long-term readability Machine vision verification prevents bad codes from being made, preventing no-reads, scrap, downtime and customer fines

Key Takeaways Microscan VMI makes it easy to visualize, monitor, and trigger actions based on detailed verification data User-friendly plug-in for Microscan AutoVISION® Machine Vision Software, featuring complete machine vision inspection tools Verification to ISO 15416 Preconfigured jobs and simple verification-specific user interface Trend analysis to monitor barcode quality inline, in real time Trend visualization and image monitor queue Configurable alarms based on verification grade trending Ability to save all data and images for future review

Thank You ANY QUESTIONS? Contact Information: 555-555-5555 email@microscan.com