Electricity and Control October 2023

MEASUREMENT + INSTRUMENTATION : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Decoding direct part marks

codes are placed are most often riddled with imperfec tions – granules, stripes, streaks, each adding a layer of complexity to their deciphering and reading. This is where the new imager-based OMRON V450-H reader works, us ing algorithms created to decode DPM codes reliably. In the shadows, low-angle lighting and vivid LEDs define an accurate contrast to elevate code visibility. OMRON’s V450-H rugged handheld scanner is de signed specifically for industrial DPM reading. It sets new industry standards for durability and performance as well as providing reliability and ease of use. With its advanced X-Mode decoding algorithms, the scanner ensures consistent readability of even dam aged, distorted, or complex directly marked codes, and delivers remarkable decode rates. Out-of-the-box perfor mance eliminates the need for extensive setup in most applications, supporting ease of use. For more intricate scanning tasks, the V450-H offers the WebLinkPC user interface, a user-friendly and in tuitive configuration tool. This interface streamlines the setup process, making it easy to optimise the scanner for challenging applications. Whether for high-density codes or specialised requirements, the V450-H can be adapted easily.

Direct part marks (DPM) are the language of industry – codes, symbols, and text etched or printed directly onto parts, be yond the limitations of labels. Often tak ing the form of Data Matrix or QR codes, DPMs play an important role in traceability across various sectors, particularly in the

automotive and electronics manufacturing industries. The main advantage of DPM codes is their permanence, as they are permanent marks that resist removal, obscuration, or damage. They are especially useful where traditional labels fail – on textured surfaces that reject adhesion, or miniature parts where labels cannot find a footing. DPM codes endure as long as the parts themselves, providing for ‘cradle-to-grave’ traceability. The challenge is that, unlike the traditional bold black barcodes on white backgrounds, DPM codes present low contrast marks, etched into the core of the part. Several variables can affect their readability, including how they appear and the surface on which they appear. For instance, DPM codes etched onto curved or une ven surfaces may raise gleaming reflections that would confuse barcode readers. The surfaces on which DPM

OMRON’s V450-H DPM handheld scanner decodes direct part marks efficiently.

For more information visit: www.industrial.omron.co.za

24 Electricity + Control OCTOBER 2023