Nowadays, when you walk into a supermarket convenience store, the dazzling array of packaged goods is pleasing to the eye. Behind the increasingly exquisite packaging appearance, wonderful material texture and intimate functional design, commodity quality and safety supervision is still the core concern of consumers – with the wide application of digital enabling means such as one thing one code and MES (manufacturing execution system), it will better solve the challenges of refined management and production quality safety system of packaged goods.

Whether it is a brand or a packaging manufacturer, as an important data acquisition link of the MES system, DPM code (direct component identification) directly prints the bar code on the product through dot engraving, etching or inkjetting, without the need for paper, labels and other identification carriers, especially suitable for packaging applications of metal cans such as milk powder cans. In this regard, Weidmuller’s image-based SFR500 series reader products provide an intelligent, fast and stable DPM code reading scheme for an MES system integrator.

Intelligent reading, accurate and reliable

In the MES system project created by the automation and information technology system integrator for the milk powder packaging manufacturer, the DPM code of the milk powder tank must be used to record the relevant production quality and traceability information of the product, track the production batch, date and freight logistics of the product, and transparently grasp the historical situation of the product. This kind of DPM code is often carved on the milk powder can by laser, because the metal packaging surface is very reflective, the code image will form a white spot area, and there may be uneven surface, deformation and other problems, how to complete a fast and accurate code reading is quite challenging. Therefore, a good reader must be able to take into account all of the above factors to provide a fast and intelligent user experience.

The advantages of Weidmuller’s image-based SFR500 series of readers are well demonstrated in this regard. In terms of hardware, it has a polarized lens, which can filter out the reflective effect; In terms of software, based on the powerful and advanced fast positioning algorithm, the decoding time is greatly reduced, and the deep learning algorithm is used to improve the high reading rate of complex codes such as reflective, distorted, fuzzy, and low contrast. The SFR500 series code reader combines deep learning and traditional algorithms at the same time, which can not only meet various applications, but also achieve excellent reading rate in complex environments, effectively reducing the labor cost of rework caused by reading difficulties.

PCM4.3

PCM4.3

Secondly, when output different milk powder can packaging products on a production line, due to the change of background color, reading distance and Angle, traditional code reading must be manually switched – Weidmuller SFR500 series code reader in one machine, provides a variety of red, white and blue optional light source and a variety of 6/12/25mm optional lens, which can adapt to a variety of complex DPM code background. Support different working distances and field of view to meet the application requirements of various packaging scenarios.

Fast and convenient, with “code” to rely on

In the packaging industry to fully promote the era of one thing one code + refinement, the requirements for MES will be higher and higher. As a DPM code reading device, it must cope with the rapid and changeable characteristics of product delivery in the B2C industry, create faster production line equipment deployment, debugging and processing speed, ensure full traceability, help achieve timely and high-quality delivery of packaged products, and enhance consumer brand satisfaction. In terms of simple and quick configuration and debugging, the SFR500 series reader is equipped with powerful Smart ID reader software, which supports one-click configuration, can automatically adjust the light source, autofocus and call decoding algorithms – greatly facilitating the debugging of the integrator’s customers, and also supports multi-parameter polling. Multiple sets of light sources, exposure time, gain, decoding algorithm and other snapshot parameters can be configured to effectively improve the read rate.

Due to the fast line speed of milk powder packaging, which reaches 1.2m/s, high-speed reading processing capacity is required. SFR500 series reader is equipped with 1/2.9 “CMOS image sensor, 1.6 million pixel image resolution, equipped with high-performance multi-core processor core platform, its frame rate can reach 60fps, so as to achieve high reading speed and high reading rate of milk powder can DPM code. Make the traceability function of MES system become more excellent.

In the face of the increasingly strict regulatory environment for packaging FMCG products, as well as changes in consumer demand, more and more packaging will enter the era of full traceability, and accurate, reliable, high-speed and convenient intelligent code reader is undoubtedly a key technology to cope with the current challenges, Weidmuller’s high-performance intelligent code reading solutions, so that more packaging can better achieve “code” can depend on!