In the Palm of Your Hand

Today’s Inspection Equipment Keeps You in Control.

By: Elisabeth Cuneo, Editor

The PowerScan PBT9100 linear imager implements a green scanning line which has the same definition of a laser beam, but with all the benefits of a linear imager.

We’re used to holding things in our hands, like our cell phones, the remote control, and our tablets. We like the power that comes with these devices to be able to remotely turn the heat down in your house, record a favorite television show and just text away while listening to music. Control from our fingertips is something we all want, and along the packaging line is no different. Hand-held scanners and barcode readers give you the control, all from the palm of your hand. Read on for some options in the inspection field to keep operations running smoothly and effortlessly.

Because in today’s packaging facility, it has to be wireless, Datalogic (datalogic.com) offers the PowerScan PBT9100 linear imager. This cordless device offers high performance and features standard Bluetooth® wireless technology. The linear imager offers the company’s new scanning technology, implementing a green scanning line which has the same definition of a laser beam, but with all the benefits of a linear imager.

The PBT9100 imager also features Datalogic’s exclusive 3 Green Lights (3GL™) for superior good read feedback. Green Spot acts as a good-read indicator by projecting a green spot directly onto the barcode just scanned, providing a visual confirmation that the barcode was successfully scanned. What’s more is that the imager’s mechanics have been developed and tested to withstand extreme environmental conditions, maintaining consistent reading performance. Because it’s a hand-held device, the imager features an ergonomic enclosure that is lightweight and well-balanced to ensure optimal operator comfort during scan-intensive operations.

Cognex Corporation (cognex.com) announces the launch of what the company says is the only end-to-end family of mobile scanning solutions in the market. The latest additions to the product line, designed to solve logistics and manufacturing applications, include the MX-1502 Series vision-enabled mobile terminal, the MX-100 Series mobile barcode reader, and the Cognex Mobile Barcode Software Development Kit (SDK).

The MX-100 mobile barcode reader with the Otterbox® uniVERSE Case System® mobile device accessory provides a built-in LED aimer and diffuse lighting to transform smartphones into barcode readers.

For light industrial, field service, and retail applications, the MX-100 mobile barcode reader redefines smartphone scanning performance. This Otterbox® uniVERSE Case System® mobile device accessory provides a built-in LED aimer and diffuse lighting to transform smartphones into better barcode readers. Paired with the Cognex Mobile Barcode SDK, the MX-100 supports a broad range of barcode symbologies.

“MX-100 is a compelling example of the growing trend of mobile device solutions for enterprise-grade applications,” says Bryan Boatner, Director of Sales and Product Marketing, ID Mobile. “Cognex lighting and optics, combined with the Cognex Mobile Barcode SDK, allows customers to take full advantage of their smartphone investments.

The HS-360X Ultra-Rugged Handheld Imager is Omron Microscan’s (microscan.com) newest generation of industrial Direct Part Mark (DPM) handheld imagers. The imagers require little to no setup for most applications, and an all new user interface WebLinkPC makes setup for more difficult applications intuitive and easy. Other user benefits include an IP65 charging station that transmits and receives data over a Bluetooth class 1 or 2, out to 300 feet. It includes a Wi-Fi friendly mode and a paging button to locate a misplaced imager.

The imagers are ultra-rugged and can withstand multiple drops from 8 feet and can tolerate many industrial fluids and chemicals. The HS-360X includes X-Mode decoding algorithms to consistently read damaged, distorted or otherwise challenging directly marked codes at high decode rates. In addition to a beeper, visual and vibrating indicators provide silent confirmation of successful reads for noisy or sensitive environments.

These scanners and imagers are durable, easy to use and offer that wireless, cordless control that today’s packaging lines seem to demand. They also feature ergonomic and comfort designs to keep workers comfortable as they use the devise over and over again. But what’s key is the level of control these small and durable devices afford, all in the palm of the hand.