THE BARCODE EXPERTS

The Axicon range of verifiers has been developed to ensure that the quality of printed barcodes in use throughout the supply chain can be measured and graded. As the size of these barcodes can vary a great deal, we have developed three different series of verifiers for conventional, linear barcodes, and two series of verifiers that can be used to assess two-dimensional or matrix bar codes.

Barcodes used at the retail point of sale

The barcodes that may be used here are EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E symbols, and they can be verified by the 6015 or 6515 series verifiers.  The maximum width of barcode that can be verified with the 6015 series is 66 mm, while the maximum for the 6515 series is 125 mm.  The 6015 is better suited to check barcodes on awkward shaped products than the 6515 as its head is smaller, and designed to cope with curved surfaces

Barcodes used on outer cases and logistics labels

EAN-13, UPC-A, ITF-14 and GS1-128 bar codes may all be used on outer cases. GS1-128 barcodes are used on logistics labels (pallet labels).  These barcodes are larger than those used at the retail point of sale, with a maximum width of 165.1 mm.  This means that they need to be verified using the 7000 series verifiers, or the 6500 series if you know that the widest symbols you need to check will be no wider than 125mm.

Users that need to be able to check all sizes of GS1 barcodes will need two verifiers, a 6015 series and a 7015 series verifier.

The 6515 series by itself is perfect if you never need to check symbols wider

than 125 mm.

Barcodes used to represent GLNs, GIAIs, GRAIs or other GS1-defined keys

The barcode generally used to encode GLNs (location numbers) or GIAIs (asset numbers) will be GS1-128, and they will often be printed onto labels before being used.  The 6015 or 6515 series verifiers will be perfect for these barcodes, depending on the width of the barcode.

Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes

Used to mark surgical instruments

These will be GS1 DataMatrix symbols, and usually marked directly onto the metal surface. The Axicon 12800 model is specially designed for this purpose, as the angle of incident light can be set to 30º, 45º, or 90º as required.

Used to identify pharmaceutical products, often prescription drugs, and animal healthcare products

These GS1 DataMatrix symbols usually encode the GTIN for the product, its expiry date, and its batch number. Any of the 12000 series or 15000 verifier may be used.  The choice of which of the 12000 series will be determined by the size of the largest GS1 DataMatrix symbol that needs to be verified.

The S-versions of the 6015, 6515 and 7015 verifiers

These verifiers have a continuous scan option which means an operator can capture multiple reads through the height of the symbol with only one operation.  The verifier itself has to be moved across the barcode to achieve this, and this technique is quickly learnt.  This means that the verification process is faster and uses more than the minimum of ten scans that the international standards require.

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