This Blog was created to help people solve bar code and data collection applications with Microscan bar code readers and vision systems.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Microscan I-PAK Verifies Pharma Labels

The Microscan I-PAK can read and verify label data for print quality and accuracy before it goes on the product.

This system takes a picture of the label and compares it to what the label is supposed to look like, as well as checking for relationships between the printed text, preprinted label, and the bar code.

Reject labels are detected before they're on the product.

Contact us for more info on this solutions

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Microscan Mobile Hawk with Maxlite


A cool feature with the New Mobile Hawk hand held DPM reader from Microscan is that it can tell you which light setting you used to decode the bar code.
Just hover over the code and a window will pop up as shown in the image at the left. You can store multiple light settings to read your code but the fastest way is to know the 1 setting you need.
The reader has read every code I've put in front of it so far. I've found it to be much lighter than the Dataman 7500 and it doesn't require a power supply to run on USB.

Friday, December 04, 2009

QX 870 Reads GS1 Databar Expanded

The Microscan QX 870 being a sweeping raster scanner has the ability to read new codes like the one below. This particular code is a GS1 databar expanded with 6 segments. These segments include the GTIN or UPC, Weight, expiration date, and serial #. This code will make traceablity much easier on recalls in the food packaging industry.

Contact us for more information on this solution





Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Automated High Speed Bar Code Verification Solution

Automated High Speed Bar Code Verification
This Inline automated verification solution allows you to 100% grade your bar codes in a very high speed environment to the ANSI ISO 15416 standard using the Microscan Hawkeye Verifier, a customized Nerlite pharma strobe light, and our interface software.
We're able to grade codes at speeds of 3'/sec + with product spacing on less than 1".
Our software captures all the verification results from the 10 scans per code and stores them in a database for reporting and record keeping.
We use Discrete I/O to indicate the grades on an LED stack light and can stop the line if desired before more bad bar codes can be printed.
This solution helps businesses increase profits by improving bar code print quality, reducing scrap from bad bar codes, and reducing down time while providing the end user with proof of 100% bar code inspection/grading
Contact us for more information on this solution

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

New DPM reader from Microscan


The Microscan Mobile Hawk is the latest Direct Part Mark (DPM) reader on the market.
This device uses various lighting setups and lights from Nerlite as well as complex decoding algorithms to read tough low contrast codes.
This device comes standard with a USB cable and is easily configured using the multi-platform Easy Setup Program software.
Contact us for more information on this product.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Microscan's Handheld Imager decodes Quickly


Microscan's HS-2 imager reads 1D and 2D codes. It comes with a USB cable but has an optional DB9 RS232 cable. On the top is a place to clip a lanyard or tool holder.
Compared to the older MSQ, the Microscan ESP software works much more seamlessly. You don't have to print out the manual to configure the HS-2
I've noticed that it decodes before the 2nd flash of the LED's which is faster than most imagers -usually the second blink is when most decode.
List price is $495 -Contact us for more information.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

I-PAK HE - Camera based OCR/OCV solution

Microscan now has an OCR, OCV, Label Validation solution using camera based technology.

The I-PAK HE is that solution. This solution will install on a network PC and allow the user to perform OCR/OCV/Presence Absence/21 CFR Part 11 without having to use an industrial PC with custom camera boards.

For a 1 camera system, the I-PAK HE is a much more cost effective solution with regard to hardware as well as integration.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

IPAK- HE with 1600T smart camera and dark field lighting


Microscan now has an OCR, OCV, Label Validation solution using camera based technology. The I-PAK HE is that solution.
This solution uses the 1600T software with I-PAK enabled Visionscape software which includes the option for compliance to 21 CFR Part 11.
A special white LED darkfield light which mounts and plugs directly into the 1600T for trigger and power.
Contact US for more information on this solution

Friday, March 20, 2009

QX870 to MS860 drop in replacement cable



We figured out all the Grounds, Inputs, and Output differences between Microscan's new QX 870 and the very popular but on the way out MS 860.

Our cable looks and acts like the DB25 male connector that's normally on the MS860 and allows the QX 870 to be a drop in replacement.

Contact us for more information on this solution

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Interface Microscan Velocity to Blackware Inkjet Control Software

Interface Microscan Velocity to Blackware Inkjet Control Software.
We recently finished integrating a Microscan Quadrus Mini Velocity with Blackware's Control Software for Industrial Inkjet Printers.

Their system uses an encoder to track the cam revolutions and documents on an envelop stuffer. It sends a 24 volt pulse to the Velocity and the Velocity reads the datamatrix code or IMB and sends the data to their Controller via RS422 and onto a PC that matches the data to an address in a database.

Blackware can communicate to complex high speed inkjet printers like Scitex. We built some custom cabling for the RS422 and to receive a 24volt trigger signal. A few key reader settings were also critical. For more info, please contact us

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hawkeye 1600T How to Connect a Photoeye


Info we got from Microscan
To connect a Photoeye: The "Sensor Inputs" (pins 6&7) are bi-polar, meaning they can be either (+) or (-), the both go to a circuit that just checks for a difference between the two.

The Photo eye can get its power from pins 4 (+24V) and 8 (- GND)
Trigger pin 6

So, in order to trigger:

you should connect 6(inA) to 4(+24V) and switch 8(GND) and 7(inB) = (NPN - sinking)

OR
Connect 8(GND) and 7(inB) and switch 6 (inA) and 4(+24V) = (PNP - sourcing)

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There is a better illustration on page A-2 of the manual and the note 2 is:
Bipolar isolated camera sensor trigger:
– Logic 0: 0 to 5V
– Logic 1: 15 to 30V
– Rin: 18k Ohms
And then at the top of page 2-12, it shows the wiring for PNP or NPN configuration scenarios. INA and INB are interchangable between pins 6 & 7 since it is a bi-polar connection

Hawkeye 1600T I/O Cable Example


The Hawkeye line of products that was aquired last fall by Microscan has a smart camera model 1600T. We recently received our Microscan branded unit and have begun looking for applications and building a more meaningful demo kit.

The 1600T doesn't come with a breakout board to connect a trigger signal or output signals like some cameras but has all the I/O coming out of a cable.

Along with Microscan-Renton's help, we were able to translate the terminology and come up with a workable I/O scenario.
Using mating Turc style connectors we're able to make the Trigger and Power work in a more common fashion and add LED's for the discrete output signals.