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1. About Barcode
Barcodes are Predominant Automatic Identification Technology
Bar code is the predominant automatic ID technology used to collect data about any person, place or thing. Its applications appear unlimited. It is used for item tracking, inventory control, time and attendance recording, monitoring work-in-process, quality control, check-in/check-out. Sortation, order entry, document tracking, controlling access to secured areas, shipping and receiving, warehousing, route management, point-of-sale operations and as patient-care ids from tracking medicinal usage to patient billing.
Bar code is not a system in itself. It is an extremely effective identification tool that provides accurate and timely support of the data requirements for sophisticated management systems. Bar code usage generally increases accuracy and productivity, creates cost savings and improves business operations.
Bar codes are a pattern of bars and spaces of varying widths that represent digits, letters or punctuation symbols to identify an item or regulate its movement. The way the bars and spaces are arranged is called a symbology, of which there are many. The Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) and its world-wide counterpart, The International Article Numbering Association (EAN), are extensively used in retail. Very popular in industrial, medical and government application is Code 39, an alphanumeric symbology with self-checking properties that offers a variable length and a high degree of data security. It is endorsed by several industry trade groups including the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Health Industry Business Communications Council (H.I.B.C.C.) and the U.S. Department of Defence. It is also used for identification of photofinishing envelopes, in heavy industrial applications, high speed sortation and for warehouse inventory handling. Code 128 is a code that can represent the entire ASCII character set and offers high density and high security. It is the basis for the international language known as Application Identifiers (AI). Code 128 is endorsed by the HIBCC and the Uniform Code Council (UCC). Two-dimensional or “stacked” symbologies (PDF417, Codablock, 16K and Code 49, etc.) offer high-density data encodation in a fixed-width format with rows of bar codes stacked on top of one another. In addition, there are matrix codes such as Vericode, DataMatrix, Code 1 and Maxicode, which also provide high-density data storage.
In use, a symbol is illuminated by an infrared or visible light source; dark bars absorb the light and spaces reflect it back into the scanner. A scanner transforms the light fluctuations into electrical impulses which mimic the bars and space pattern in the bar code. A decoder uses mathematical algorithms to translate the electrical impulses into a binary code and transmit the encoded data message to a PC, controller or host computer system. The decoder may be integrated with or external to the scanner. Scanners are visible and infrared light-emitting diode (LED) or solid-state laser diode (visible or infrared) light to read the symbol. Some require contact with the code or label; others read from distances up to several feet. Some are stationary; others are hand-held.
Most have moving or fixed beams to illuminate the symbol; some are charge-couple devices (CCD) which photographically “see” the whole symbol at once. Two-dimension CCD readers are used to read matrix symbologies. Each type of scanner provides its own benefits, but to gain the most from a bar code system, the scanner should matched to the application.
Bar codes can be printed directly on items to be scanned or on labels either manufactured by an outside supplier or printed on site. Popular on-site (in-house) printing technologies include: dot-matrix and other impact methods, thermal and thermal-transfer, ink-jet and electrophotography (laser printing). Popular off-site printing technologies for pre-printed labels include flexographic, laser etching, offset lithography, photo-composition, ion composition and electrophotography. Each technique has its own benefits for specific applications. Because a high first-time read rate is important for successful scanning, adequate print quality, as defined by American National Standard ANSI X3.182, is vital. Also important to a successful bar code system is the training of operators.
All bar codes have several similar components. They all have a clear space, called a quiet zone, before and after the symbol. Specific start and stop patterns indicate the beginning and ending of the symbol. Check characters, mandatorying some codes, allow a mathematical check which ensures the accuracy of the decoded information. Bar codes also frequently contain data or application identifiers-code prefixed that identify the meaning or intended use of the data that follows. This is important when bar codes are used between companies and industries or when there is the possibility of confusing the data in different symbols.
Verifying a bar code’s conformance to specifications before it enters the system flow is essential. Such verification is achieved with readily available verification or analyzer-type equipment (bar code verifier).
Improve Operational Efficiency
Since bar codes permit faster and more accurate recording of information, work-in-process can move quickly and be tracked precisely. Quite a bit of time can be spent tracking down the location or status of projects, folders, instruments, materials or anything else that moves within an organisation. Bar code can help you keep better track so you can save time and respond more quickly to inquiries and changes.
Save Time
Depending on the application, time savings can be significant. Often the most dramatic examples involve the beloved chore of taking inventory. One customer needed a crew of 25 employees working over a weekend to take the 6-month inventory; with bar codes this was reduced to 4 employees and a total of about 5 hours. Even in routine day-to-today operations the time savings of bar codes add up and improve productivity. Consider a shipment of 10 cartons; it will take approximately 2 minutes or more to write down product codes and serial numbers compared to about 10 to 20 seconds to scan the bar codes. In a busy operation this can be a significant saving.
Reduce Error
Clerical and data entry errors can be a significant source of costs and related problems: extra freight costs, unhappy customers, and time spent to track down problems are just a few examples. In some situations, clerical errors can have a much more dramatic impact: consider the importance of accuracy in pharmaceutical or blood bank applications. The typical error rate for human data entry is 1 error per 300 characters. Bar code scanners are much more accurate; the error rate can be as good as 1 error in 36 trillion characters depending on the type of bar code used.
Cut Cost
Bar codes are effective tools that can be used to address specific, localised problems or integrated into organisation-wide information systems. When applied with thought and planning they can save time and reduce errors resulting in a reduction of costs.
Benefit from Customer or Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory agencies or your customers may impose labelling requirements that you must meet. While these requirements may be a necessary part of doing business, you can save time and money by utilising the bar codes within your own operations. For example, you can collect shipping manifest information quickly and accurately by scanning the bar codes labels that you printed to satisfy the customer.
2. RFDC
Understanding Radio Frequency Data Communication (RFDC)
Understanding Radio Frequency Data Communication (RFDC)
How radio frequency data communication works, what it can do in your work environment, and what it can do for your bottom line.
An Introduction to Radio Frequency
Automated Data Collection, or ADC, began revolutionising business processes more than 25 years ago. Technological innovations since that time have brought the ultimate goal of flawless, immediately accessible data to reality. And, the continual search for better and faster technologies has brought about real-time, on-line information employing radio frequency (RF) as the conveyance.
What are Radio Frequency Waves?
Electromagnetic energy pervades the entire uni-verse, and radio frequency waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. These waves oscillate at a unique frequency which is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz, and is analogous to the musical pitch of a plucked guitar string. Radio Frequency Data Communication (RFDC) uses RF waves as a medium for transmitting and receiving information. The RF waves used in data communication oscillate at approximately 400, 900, and 2400 million cycles per second. This places RF waves at or near the frequencies used in RF radio broadcasts, and they are impossible to detect except with an RF receiver. They are completely harmless at these levels.
Characteristics of RF Waves
RF waves possess two characteristics that are relevant to data collection:
| • | The ability to act as a conveyor of information. |
| By passing electrical data through an RF transmitter, the signal can be converted to an RF signal and broadcast to an RF receiver almost anywhere in the vicinity. The receiver can then reconvert the RF signal into electrical data that can be used by other hardware such as a computer. | |
| • | The need to operate in relatively short ranges. |
| As long as two RF transmitters are outside each other’s effective range, they can broadcast on the same frequency without interference. |
Benefit from Customer or Regulatory Requirements
There are two applications for RF information management. One is RF Identification (RFID). RFID employs identification tags with microchips embedded in them. These chips emit signals that uniquely identify them. By affixing the chips to any article, it can be identified and tracked.
Although RFID is a major branch of RF information management, this document focuses on RFDC. The other typical application for automated data collection systems uses bar code labels, fixed or hand-held scanners, and a computer system.
Information is encoded in the bar code label which is affixed to the object to be tracked or counted. A bar code scanner is used to transmit the encoded information to a reader which converts it to a useable form.
What happens next depends on what kind of equipment is used:
| • | A hard-wired system transmits the information in real-time via wires and cables connecting the equipment to your computer. |
| • | Portable readers without RF capability can be used to collect data, which is temporarily stored in the reader and periodically batch uploaded to the host computer. |
In either case, a controller acts as a kind of switch-board between the data coming from the remote readers and the computer. RFDC expands upon these conventional configurations by replacing wires with RF signals. RFDC configurations typically consist of the following components:
| • | A controller connected to the host computer. |
| • | A base station connected to the controller that transmits to end devices. |
| • | An access point that acts as a bridge between the enterprise network and the radio system. |
| • | An RF reader or an RF network gateway connecting a standard (non-RF) reader to the network. |
| • | A transmitter integrated into each reader. |
| • | When needed, a repeater to boost and re-transmit the signals. |
Since there are no wires between the base station or access point and the readers, they are completely portable, yet the information collected is still available in real time. RFDC differs from conventional systems only in the medium used to upload information. This enables manufacturers and distributors to easily upgrade to RF without scrapping existing systems.
Advantages of RFDC The advantages of RFDC depend on what kind of system is currently in place – on-line, batch or manual. The advantages of RF over alternative systems are outlined in the following table:
RFDC Offers The Following Benefits:
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Understanding The Technology Spread Spectrum Technology 902 MHz and 2.4 GHz Many 2.4 GHz systems provide easy access or connectivity directly to the corporate network. They do this by means of an access point which functions as a bridge between the enterprise network and the devices on the 2.4 GHz radio system. While 2.4 GHz systems may provide more openness in terms of connectivity, concerns should also be focused on the openness of the end device. Questions to ask include:
Choosing an RF System
Is It Worth It? The Next Step: A Site Survey |
3. Labels
- All About Label
Labels4U recommends using the Permanent Paper Labels for product labels. They come in many sizes. If a more elegant, professional look is desired, the Polyester Labels may do the trick. Gloss label material is now available for both Laser and Inkjet printers.
The Permanent Laser Labels are a paper based label with an acrylic emulsion adhesive. These are some of the finest labels of their kind in the industry. They work great in both inkjet and laser printers. Many of our customers have commented that our labels are best around because they print well and do not fall off.
Absolutely! We recommend trying a sample sheet in your printer before printing a job. Please feel free to contact Labels4U Customer Service, Ms Daisy for a sample sheet.
The Permanent Laser Labels work great on all types of surfaces that require a permanent label. Customers have used the labels for thousands of applications, from mailing and shipping labels, to product ID labels, to barcoding, to signs, to CD labels, and on and on. We use thousands of these labels in our warehouse to identify and barcode our stock items and raw materials. If you are looking for a label that will withstand the harshest of weather conditions (water, frost, or heat) Labels4Urecommends you check out the Polyester Labels.
Our Polyester Labels are great for outdoor applications. They work in environments where a durable label is needed. Simple black and white laser printing is all that is needed to produce a high quality label. Please view the Technical Data Sheet to view the extreme conditions that these labels have been exposed to under laboratory testing.
The Polyester material has a specially designed face coat that is made to anchor laser toner. This face coat contributes to the ability to repel water, heat, and cold.
Inkjet Printers and our Polyester material do not work well together. The reason for this is the liquid based ink from an inkjet printer is unable to penetrate the surface of this non-porous material. You will find the ink smearing as soon as the sheet is moved or touched. Laser Printers work great with the Polyester Labels.
Many customers have printed successfully on the Polyester Label material with Color Laser Printers. Due to the variances of feed, delivery, toner, etc, Labels4U does not specifically rate the Polyester Material for Color Laser Printers. We encourage you to test our product with your printer type before purchasing a box from us.
- Responsibilities / Removal Labels
The Repositionable/Removable Labels possess a relatively tacky adhesive for a removable label. Expect the label to stick like a permanent label to many surfaces, including coated plastic surfaces. The great thing about the adhesive is the ability to take the label off cleanly, with no residue. However, when left on paper surfaces, for extended periods of time, these labels may exhibit some permanent qualities. It is important to always test these labels on your surface you are applying them to.
You may apply the Repositionable Labels to many types of surfaces, including paper, plastic and metal surfaces. We encourage that you to test the labels for adhesion quality to the surface you plan to affix the label to.
- Fluorescents Labels
Fluorescent Color Labels are designed to attract attention to the labels. Here are some possible uses:
| • | Marketing – You may want a label to attract the customer’s attention. However, you may want to warn the customer that they may need sunglasses to view these labels. |
| • | Special Instructions (routing) – You may have a product that requires instructions to be followed carefully. These labels work better than a highlighting pen. |
| • | Product Labels – that will stand out and be noticed. |
| • | Inventory Control – or perishable goods and materials. Why not print out the run or good-thru dates on fluorescent for quick spotting? |
| • | And Many More – Please let us know if you have a unique use for the fluorescent Labels. |
Fluorescent Labels will work in both Laser and Inkjet Printers. We strongly recommend printing with black ink only on these colored labels. Because of differences in feed, delivery systems, etc., it is the responsibility of the user to test diecut material to assure compatibility with their specific model printer in its operating environment.
Please feel free to contact Labels4U Customer Service, Ms Daisy for a sample sheet
The Fluorescent labels are a permanent adhesive paper based labels. You can use these labels on any surface you would use a permanent label on.
- Printing and Printer Issues
Labels4U Labels sheets are rated for most laser and inkjet printers. It’s critical that you know what type of printer you have (see your printer manual). Because of differences in feed, delivery systems, etc. it is the responsibility of the user to test die-cut material to assure compatibility with their specific model printer in its operating environment.
Please feel free to contact Labels4U Customer Service, Ms Daisy for a sample sheet
Labels4U Labels will send you enough samples to test your labels. To prevent wasted printing of label sheets, we recommend that you print on plain paper first to make sure your template is lining up properly. When you are satisfied that the template lines up properly, print on your label samples. You might even want to trace the label pattern on plain paper to produce a paper copy.
For more extensive label testing, we recommend you purchase a box or two. We have express (overnight, two day) shipping options available.
- Customer Orders
The minimum order for custom printing is 2000 sheets or equivalent to 20 Boxes of 100 sheets each
Labels4U requires a 2000 sheet minimum for all custom runs because all custom runs are produced on commercial size printing presses that can run millions of the highest quality sheets. We do have the ability to run small orders, but due to the high setup charges for a large press, many customers prefer the 2000 sheet level pricing.
Labels4U suggest that you purchase one box of labels from us and print the labels yourself in a manual way.
I want a small label (under 1/2 inch)
Please contact Labels4U Customer Service representative Ms Daisy Moses and we shall get back to you on the technical side whether or not your requirements can be fulfilled. Reason is because there is a limitation to how small a die cutter can be manufactured.
Please contact Labels4U Customer Service representative Ms Daisy Moses and we shall get back to you on the technical side whether or not your requirements can be fulfilled. Reason is because there is a limitation to how small a die cutter can be manufactured.
A die is a tool used on a printing press to cut the raw label material as we’re converting it into label sheets. For special custom jobs, a one time die charge will be charged to the job. If you order a custom die from us Labels4U will maintain the life of die at no additional cost to you the customer.
The cost of a die depends upon the:
| 1. | Label material (Polyester Labels require a more expensive rotary die) |
| 2. | Number of die cuts per sheet (the more labels – the more expensive) |
| 3. | Special cuts (for example…round cuts are more expensive) |
| 4. | Special Sheet sizes |
A die cost is a one time purchase only for the customer. Labels4U stores your die at our printing facility and retools it for each subsequent order at no cost! If your die goes dull due to excessive wear, we will replace the die at no cost to you.
You may contact Ms Daisy or Mr Jack Chan directly in the Headquarters at Kuala Lumpur. Our dedicated personnel will help you to expedite your orders and reduce your hassle.
A confirmation of Sales order will then be sent to you for verification and once complete, your products shall be delivered to you though courier service right to your door step in 5 working days.
Ms Daisy and Mr Jack Chan can be contacted at 03-8061 0255 / 0266 / 4943 or email them at kopack@tm.net.my
Labels4U recommends that all labels be kept in their plastic bag until time of printing. Prolonged exposure to air with many types of label sheets may result in curling. Also, to reduce the amount of curve that a label sheet experiences during printing, we recommend that all label sheets be fed through the manual, or straight feed.
Labels4U recommends using your printed labels within the first year of purchase.
