1. Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI) Verify and Monitor Barcode Quality Inline and in Real Time

2. Topics Barcode Quality: The Challenges
The Trouble with Today’s Methods
The Answer: Machine Vision Verification
Microscan Verification Kits
Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI)
Part Numbers and Configurations
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways

3. Barcode Quality: The Challenges
Verify the quality and long-term readability of codes marked by a variety of means:
Serialized barcodes printed on labels or product packaging
Product codes printed directly on secondary packaging
Parts directly marked with identifying codes

4. Barcode Quality: The Challenges
Pre-Printed Packaging Materials:
Costly inventory of pre-printed labels and boxes
Estimate: >/= 1.5 cents per label versus cents per direct print
Need warehouse space for inventory
Produces scrap when product changes
Time lost during product changeover
Print-On-Demand Applications:
Packaging is scrapped when there are unreadable printed codes
Downtime associated with unreadable barcodes: manual data entry, re-scanning, relabeling
Supply chain issues – customer fines, costly returns
Supplier disqualification due to lack of ISO compliance

5. The Trouble with Today’s Methods
Offline verification
Problems with the marking method go undetected until next sample is verified offline
Scrap and downtime to determine scope of issue
Confirm readability using a barcode reader
Does not tell how well the code can be read
Does not analyze the code and provide data
Does not provide trending analysis based triggers
Does not alert to a problem until there actually is one.

6. The Answer: Machine Vision Verification
Verification measures the quality of a barcode to a published standard
ISO 15415/AIM DPM : 2D symbols
ISO : 1D symbols
Verification results are expressed in grades
4 / A = perfect − / F = very poor
Machine vision verification is camera-based
Images are captured by the camera to be processed in detail by machine vision software

7. Why Verify? Because all marking systems degrade over time and once a code is marked, its quality never gets better!
Checking that a code can/cannot be read is not good enough. It must be readable with an adequate margin.
Without verification, some “bad” codes escape into the process.
With verification, we prevent bad codes from ever being made.

8. Machine Vision Verification
Recommended Setups
True verification requires ISO/AIM-compliant light & undistorted image.
C-mount lenses preferred
Perpendicular mounting to avoid perspective distortion
Fixed distance
At least 8 pixels per element
Shield from ambient light
A short (<250µs) exposure time for moving symbols
Large Linear 1D codes
1D/2D Glossy Labels
Dot Peen DPM 2D codes

9. Microscan Verification Kits Large Linear Verification Kit
Distance
Width of FOV
Min Symbol Size (Narrow Bar)
Notes
Min FOV
6.2”
3.4”
0.014”
>= 8 pixels over width of smallest element
Max FOV
16.5”
8.0”
0.032”
Include quiet zone
2 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera
NERLITE® Smart Series MAX 300

10. Microscan Verification Kits 1D/2D Label Verification Kit
Distance
FOV
Min Narrow Bar/ cell size
Notes
1- 9/16” above surface
2” x 1.06”
0.012”
>= 8 pixels per element per ISO15415
2 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera
NERLITE® Smart Series Pharmalite

11. Microscan Verification Kits Dot PeenVerification Kit
Distance
FOV
Min Narrow Bar/ cell size
Notes
1” (25mm) above surface
1” x 0.75”
0.006”
>= 8 pixels per element per ISO15415
1.3 MP Vision HAWK C-Mount Smart Camera
Dot Peen Kit

12. Which Verification Kit Do I Choose?
Application
LARGE LINEAR
1D/2D LABEL
DOT PEEN
Inline 1D (<2”) or 2D ( <1”) Label Verification X
Offline 1D (<2”) or 2D ( <1”) Label Verification
Inline 1D code Verification ( >2”, <8” )
Offline 1D code Verification ( >2”, <8”)
Inline DPM (DOT PEEN <1”)
Offline DPM (DOT PEEN <1”)
Why choose a Verification Kit over a turn-key Microscan Verifier?
Kits offer the same solution for both inline and offline verification
Kits verify multiple symbologies, rather than being customized to one set
Kits add other vision tools because they employ vision software
Kit software features multi-language support

13. Comparison with Microscan Verifiers
Feature
LARGE LINEAR
1D/2D
DOT PEEN
LDP Verifier
DPM Verifier
Reporting X
Line Speed
Dynamic
Offline
1D Symbols X*
Multi-Language
UID compliant
Integrated
Portable
Setup
Medium
Easy
* matte 1D symbols,
<1” FOV

14. Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI)
Plug-in for Microscan AutoVISION® Machine Vision Software. Expands on capabilities of standard Microscan machine vision verification to provide trending and detailed analysis of verification data.
Without verification, some “bad” codes escape into the process.
With verification, we prevent bad codes from ever being made.
PLUS – We can use trending with VMI to trigger alerts or actions based on code quality changes.

15. Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI)
Who does VMI benefit?
Manufacturers who utilize direct print methods to reduce inventory costs of labels & boxes and downtime associated with product changeovers.
What does VMI do?
Grades every code to verify it meets certain legibility criteria.
Continuous process monitoring - catches any downward trend in print quality so you can fix it before a material scrap or quality issue from unreadable codes.
Where is VMI implemented?
Inline as soon after marking as possible to minimize other variables.
Why should I use VMI?
More retailers and distributors are imposing fines for unreadable codes.
Common examples: $10/case, $200/shipment, $500 flat fee

16. Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI)
Microscan’s Complete Verification Solution:
VMI Kit: Large Linear Verification Kit, VMI software license key, & accessories
Verification grade trending enables triggers associated with:
Consecutive failures, X fails in Y cycles, average code grade over Y cycles
A trending condition trigger can be used to stop a production line, turn on a stack light, initiate a print head purge, or other action.
Trial: 2% retailer reject rate, $10/case
3 weeks (250K cases)
3 Week Savings: $25K
By reducing rejects to 1%!

17. Verification Monitoring Interface (VMI)
Visualization through AutoVISION Software:
EtherNet/IP & PROFINET I/O
4 user access levels
Simple, application specific UI
Ability to save images and data in .csv file
Configurable alarm trend counts
Verification reporting
Customiz-able grading
Trending visualization

18. VMI Configuration Required Hardware: MAX
MAX 300, Red, Wide, M12 connector

19. VMI Configuration

20. Part Numbers and Configurations
Description
SLN
Dot Peen Verification Kit
SLN
1D/2D Label Verification Kit
SLN
Large Linear Verification Kit
SLN
VMI with Large Linear Verification Kit & accessories
Kits include light, camera, calibration card, bracket, lens, etc.
VMI add-ons: VMI licenses, cord sets, and power supply

21. Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get the VMI software?
VMI is available for download on the Microscan website to be used in Emulator mode (license key required to use on camera).
Is VMI a standalone software?
No. Users must install AutoVISION® machine vision software before installing VMI. A custom version of AutoVISION is required, and is part of the VMI download package.
Can VMI be used with existing hardware?
Yes, on AutoVISION hardware with a software upgrade license. In order to meet barcode quality standards, VMI is not recommended for products with integrated lighting or optics.
, Verification & VMI License (A)

22. Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is VMI?
Verification for trend monitoring is processing-intensive and saving images and data taxes the smart camera even more. With the 2MP camera set to collect all images and data, the maximum recommended speed is 30ppm.
For faster speeds, the system can be configured to turn off image capture. The user may also need to use a lower-resolution camera such as the WVGA.
Can human-readable text like date & lot codes be read using VMI?
Yes, text can be read using AutoVISION OCR/OCV tools available through the VMI plug-in provided the data is within the FOV and you can still achieve the minimum 8 pixels per element.

23. Key Takeaways
Quality barcodes are critical for ensuring product tracking and identification
Code quality is affected by factors from degradation of marking methods to simple wear and tear
Confirming barcode readability by random offline sample checking or using barcode readers does not ensure 100% quality or long-term readability
Machine vision verification prevents bad codes from being made, preventing no-reads, scrap, downtime and customer fines

24. Key Takeaways
Microscan VMI makes it easy to visualize, monitor, and trigger actions based on detailed verification data
User-friendly plug-in for Microscan AutoVISION® Machine Vision Software, featuring complete machine vision inspection tools
Verification to ISO 15416
Preconfigured jobs and simple verification-specific user interface
Trend analysis to monitor barcode quality inline, in real time
Trend visualization and image monitor queue
Configurable alarms based on verification grade trending
Ability to save all data and images for future review

26. Thank You ANY QUESTIONS?
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