Hamburg-Ahrensburg offset printers are supported by a DataMan® 500 from Cognex to guarantee smooth and accurate logistics, using the integrated image-based barcode reader which has lowered investment, maintenance and repair costs.
Axel Springer has been printing newspapers for northern Germany since 1983, in addition to publications on behalf of other publishers. Barcodes are used to pack the newspapers into bundles to make sure they not only arrived quickly but also at the right address. For three decades the barcodes were read using a laser scanner with a tilting mirror, but recently this mature technology was replaced by the next generation of barcode readers: Cognex image-based logistics barcode readers, which ensure high precision identification. The intelligent DataMan 500, integrated by bci GmbH and operational technology staff into the component systems of Axel Springer AG, reads the barcode codes at lightning speed and with 100 percent reliability.
The offset printing machines stack newspapers in piles up to 10 inches high (depending on the order quantity), put a covering sheet on top with 1-D codes, wrap the pile in transparent plastic and finally tie it up cross-wise with plastic packaging straps. The DataMan 500 reads the codes immediately after this step as the package passes along the conveyor belt. A combination of codes on coloured paper which are often creased creates a highly reflective surface. This was a real challenge for the bci GmbH experts and was the key factor in the decision to choose the Cognex DataMan 500 barcode reader.
The high performance DataMan 500 made it possible to achieve 100 percent reliability in reading the barcodes after a test phase of just four weeks. And that was for newspaper bundles ranging in height from 0.5 to 10 inches and variations in the position of the code over a range of 15 inches plus. That was no problem for the DataMan 500 because of its depth of field capabilities. To make maximum use of the reader’s potential, bci prioritised customer-specific programming. These complex challenges were overcome rapidly in a number of test runs.
With an eye on the future, the flexibility of DataMan 500 is also a significant plus for Axel Springer, as it will be easy to reprogram the Cognex image-based barcode reading equipment if they switch to using 2-D codes in the near future. The DataMan 500 even consumes significantly less electricity than the laser scanner.
Barcode Readers for Logistics, Postal & Retail Distribution
The DataMan® 500 image-based barcode reader is designed to achieve higher read rates, offer improved on-line visualisation and have higher reliability than laser scanners currently in use in the logistics, postal and retail distribution markets.
Using Cognex IDMax® superior code reading software, DataMan 500 achieves higher read rates by reading the 1D barcodes that laser readers cannot read, including damaged, distorted, blurred, scratched, low height and low contrast codes. DataMan 500 processes images at up to 1,000 frames per second and can read codes in any orientation, 2D codes such as Data Matrix and QR, and multiple codes in the same image.
DataMan 500 is easier to use than a laser scanner and allows users to see what the reader sees, either live on a monitor, or by using image archiving for later review. DataMan 500 has no moving parts and is designed to be more reliable than laser scanners.
“Nothing like this has ever been seen before in an image-based barcode reader”, said Carl Gerst, Business Unit Manager for ID Products. “Our proprietary imaging and software technology allowed us to create a product that can outperform laser scanners, is easy to use and we believe will transform the market for barcode reading.”
DataMan 500 offers a wide range of additional benefits including auto-trigger, auto-focus and “no read” feedback. The base unit will support both standard C-Mount lenses as well as variable focus options. The auto-focus is achieved using liquid lens technology, which provides maximum operating range flexibility for even the highest speed applications. This proven new technology, already integrated into Cognex industrial readers, is fast and reliable and offers good optical quality with low power consumption.
Key to successful implementation of any barcode reading application is ease-of-use and the integration tools available. DataMan 500 has been designed to be as easy to use as a laser scanner. In addition, the “no read” feedback and visualization features make validating the code reading setup very straightforward and allow any reading issues to be quickly diagnosed and corrected.
DataMan 500 offers the benefits of image-based readers with the ease-of-use and cost of today’s laser scanners. For more information about the DataMan 500 reader, visit www.cognex.com/DataMan500.
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