Scanners & Verification

 

It is the manufacturers' responsibility to ensure that barcode formats satisfy the requirements of International ANSI Standard ISO 15426-1, and are compliant with the GS1UK Coding System. Minimum acceptable ANSI gradings are prescribed, to ensure that the supply chain is focused on the effective flow of goods.

 

Offline

Complete barcode verification is achieved using barcode scanners which apply the criteria of ISO/IEC 15416. Trained operators must use accredited, calibrated barcode scanners and a process of regular sampling, to introduce discipline to barcoding practices. The full reporting is adequate to satisfy retail audit requirements.

 

Inline

In high speed production environments, barcode checking needs to be part of the production/packaging process to ensure that the first incidence of deviation is highlighted and responded to. This leads to an alternate approach, checking every pack & preventing poorly coded packs from entering the supply chain. There are a number of alternative approaches here:

 

Barcode Checking

In-line barcode scanners introduce a check to every pack, giving a pass or fail result based on whether a barcode is present and can be read. Identification of a fail prompts an immediate response of reject, re-label or line shutdown.

Barcode scanners are designed to find a read and have built-in tolerance of poor barcode features. As this may not match the capabilities of barcode scanners all through supply chain, there is no guarantee of continuing compliance.

 

Bar code Inspection

Using the intelligent capabilities of more advanced barcode scanning devices, degradation in barcode legibility is identified before failure occurs. By calculating the proportion of barcode that can be read, a Good/OK/Fail rating is determined. As legibility degrades visual, audible and digital alarms are activated to prompt rectification of the issue. In this situation a fail condition prompts line stoppage.

 

Cobalt Sentinel

Applying additional interpretive logic, the Cobalt Sentinel barcode scanner simulates full off-line verification to result in an ‘ANSI equivalent' grading of A-D or Fail. Degradation of quality is identified graphically from its earliest stages. Line operatives are fully aware of the severity of the degradation, and are able to make informed decisions on the corrective action required to continually achieve the highest quality ratings.

 

The Cobalt Sentinel maintains full audit logs of barcode quality by event, with evidence of corrective action taken, including reasons codes.