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Write You - Laser Marking of ECC 200 2D Matrix Codes on Printed Circuit Boards
So much depends on choosing the correct mark of punctuation at the correct time. Each little period, each hyphen, each dash conveys meaning to the reader. And when the conventions of punctuation are ignored, readers tend to become confused. As I teach every single one of my clients, the point of all business writing is clarity. If a document—-whether email, letter, memo, or report—-isn’t clear, no business is going to get done. Period.Writers have been confused by the comma for ages. Either they overuse commas or underuse them. Either way, using too many or too few can cause confusion. In particular, confusion often occurs with whether to use commas after introductory phrases and whether to use commas when listing a series of items. Read on for answers to both questions.Commas after introductory phrasesThe way we use punctuation over time influences how meaning is applied to those marks of punctuation. The comma causes a tremendous amount of controversy in writing and carries an enormous amount of weight. Look, for example, at the sentence below: “She sat in a caf? drinking coffee, wearing clogs and a scarf upon her head.”What do you see? No, really; what do you SEE? Do you see a woman with clogs on her head along with a scarf? That’s exactly what you should see. Based on the punctuation (and wording) the image is that of a woman with shoes on her head. This
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
Fo
Investing in real estate does not have to be complicated nor concentrated in a specific type of property. Most experienced investors and financial planners have a plan or a strategy to accomplish their goals. One good strategy, and if you have the capital to acquire more property, is to buy various types of property or properties in different locations such as appreciating areas, ones that demonstrate cash flow, some speculation and possibly overseas.The strategy of investing in different types of property is a safe and good long term plan which shields you from the up and downs of the market. It is called being diversified. In real estate markets that appreciate rapidly, properties can decrease as well, especially if you invested at the end of the real estate cycle. Once that happens, we see investors bail out and move towards cash flow properties. Cash flow properties are ones that cover your mortgage payment in excess. Your mortgage payment consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance, also known as P.I.T.I. Cash flow properties are mainly multi-unit properties such as a duplex, triplex, fourplex or apartment buildings. Depending on the location, these may also be called two-family, three-family and four-family homes respectively. Two or more unit properties generate cash flow better than single family homes because they have two or more units.As rents go up o
The 2D matrix code provides a means to store alphanumeric character strings in very small areas of the printed circuit board. Laser marking technology provides a method for permanently applying 2D matrix codes to most board substrates. The high-resolution and high-accuracy of beam-steered laser marking systems provides the means to create well defined, high reliability codes regardless of code size. Laser marking also provides the user with a computer-controlled marking process for easy implementation into automated product tracking systems.
ECC 200 2D Matrix Codes
Two-dimensional symbologies encode information in the form of a checkerboard pattern of on/off cells. Specific advantages of Data Matrix codes over conventional 1D barcodes include:
· Encode information digitally, as opposed to the analog encoding of data in conventional barcodes.
· Can accommodate low-contrast printing directly on parts without requiring a label
· Offer very high information density - the highest among other common 2D codes, which means that you can place a lot of information in a very small area.
· They are scaleable, which means that you can print them and read them in various levels of magnification - only limited by the resolution of the available printing and imaging techniques.
· Due to the high information density inherent to Data Matrix codes, they also offer built-in error-correction techniques which allow fully recovering the message encoded in a Data Matrix symbol even if the mark is damaged and missing as much as 20% of the symbol.
· They are read by video cameras as opposed to a scanned laser beam used for reading conventional barcodes, which means that they can be read in any orientation.
ECC 200 Data Matrix is the most popular 2-D symbology with extensive use in automotive, aerospace, electronics, semiconductor, medical devices and other manufacturing unit-level traceability applications. Data Matrix codes are typically not replacing conventional linear barcodes, but are being used where traditional barcodes were too large, did not provide sufficient storage capacity, or were unreadable.
Data Matrix Code Structure
The 2D matrix codes appear as a "checkerboard" with the individual squares (cells) in either on on (white) or off (black) state. The code consists of four distinct elements.
· The Finder "L" Pattern consists of a solid row of cells along the left edge and bottom of the code that orients the reader to the layout of the 2D code.
· The Clock Track is a sequence of on/off cells along the right edge and top of the code that designates the row/column count to the reader.
· The Data Region is the pattern of black and white cells within the L pattern and the clock tracks that contain the alphanumeric content of the code.
· The Quiet Zone around the code must be free of any features that may be visible to the reader. The quiet zone should be at least two rows/columns wide for codes constructed of square cells. The quiet zone should be at least four rows/columns wide for codes constructed of circular cells (dots).
ECC 200 Data Matrix codes can store up to 3,116 numeric, 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 1,555 bytes of binary information in a 144 column by 144 row array. More realistic symbol dimensions for printed circuit boards can still contain a significant amount of information.
Laser Marking System
The laser marking system consists of the laser source, the beam-shaping optics, and the beam-steering system.
The laser is a light amplifier generating a bright, collimated beam of light at a specific wavelength. For FR4 and solder mask applications, most users choose the air-cooled CO2 laser operating at the 10,640nm far-infrared wavelength. This laser offers several performance and cost advantages, and produces excellent marking results.
The laser beam is projected through two beam-deflecting mirrors mounted to high-speed, high-accuracy galvanometers. As the mirrors are rotated under direction of the system computer, the laser beam scans across the target marking surface to "draw" the desired marking image.
After the laser beam is deflected from the beam-steering mirrors, it is focused to the smallest spot possible by flat-field focusing optics. The flat-field focusing assembly is a multi-element optical device designed to maintain the focal plane of the focused laser beam on a relatively flat plane throughout the marking field. The focused laser light significantly increases the power density and associated marking power.
The function of the laser optical train is to focus the laser beam to a small spot and to scan the laser beam over the target surface with high speed and accuracy. With the CO2 laser configuration, the focused spot diameter and associated marking line width is about 0.0035" to 0.004". Man-readable text characters can be as small as 0.040" and 2D matrix codes can be constructed from individual features as small as a single 0.004" dot.
PCB Marking
To mark printed circuit boards, the heat generated by the laser beam thermally alters the surface of the board to create a contrasting, legible mark. The process does not require labels, stencils, punches or any other auxiliary hardware or consumable.
For printed circuit board applications, several different variations of this technique can be used for different board/coating materials and background conditions.
· Solder mask or other Conformal Coatings on FR4 Boards -
The laser beam can alter the texture of the coating, giving it a lighter contrasting appearance, or can completely remove the coating to expose the underlying substrate or copper ground plane.
· Uncoated FR4 -
The laser beam alters the texture of the surface of the FR4 producing a near white appearance.
· Silk-screened Ink Block -
For users who already silkscreen component identification or other fixed information on the boards, a silk-screened white ink block can function as a background to the 2D matrix code to optimize readability. This technique is particularly helpful when…
o The background color of the board is similar to the color of the laser mark.
o Underlying circuitry would obscure the marking image to code readers.
o The board material is not suitable for laser marking, such as ceramic substrates.
2D Matrix Code Verification
Verification of the legibility and content of the 2D matrix codes is an important step in the overall quality program. After marking of each circuit, the reader verifies the integrity of the mark before indexing the laser marking head to the next marking location. The reader retrieves the alphanumeric text string from the 2D code and compares it with the text string that was to be marked.
The reader also evaluates the legibility of the code based on a variety of parameters including foreground/background contrast, geometric accuracy (skew, squareness, etc.) and the dimensional accuracy of both the marked and unmarked cells. The 2D matrix codes are then categorized as passed (green), warned (yellow) or failed (red). For overall production efficiency, the laser system can be programmed to verify only a select few 2D codes on a panel, then to automatically switch to verifying every code if the code legibility falls below a specified level.
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
For
Writing is a curse! A virus that spreads and replicates throughout its host body; it affects every aspect of one's life. Even sleep is no escape. Non-writers look forward to sleep, "perchance to dream". They allow themselves to luxuriate in their dream world. For them, sleep brings a life apart from their humdrum reality. For the writer though, sleep brings no such succour. Dreams are unfettered inspiration: they have the writer scrambling for his notepad and pen from his bedside table.For the elite who achieve celebrity status through their writing, the curse still keeps them in its cancerous clutches. For example, many writers have made so much from their writing that they need never work again, yet they still write. To voluntarily stop writing would be as achievable as holding one's breath forever. Inspiration would come inevitably, in both senses of the word.Throughout the centuries, the image of the tortured writer in a dingy garret has been a powerful one. The power of the image springs from its truth. Writers have, as part of their being, a troubled and tormented soul. Their tortured minds and bodies litter the history of literature like so much flotsam and jetsam. They often, seemingly, try to stamp out the light of their creativity with drink and drugs. Among these, I would include F Scott Fitzgerald, Dylan Thomas, Brendan Behan, Ernest Hemingway and J
· Due to the high information density inherent to Data Matrix codes, they also offer built-in error-correction techniques which allow fully recovering the message encoded in a Data Matrix symbol even if the mark is damaged and missing as much as 20% of the symbol.
· They are read by video cameras as opposed to a scanned laser beam used for reading conventional barcodes, which means that they can be read in any orientation.
ECC 200 Data Matrix is the most popular 2-D symbology with extensive use in automotive, aerospace, electronics, semiconductor, medical devices and other manufacturing unit-level traceability applications. Data Matrix codes are typically not replacing conventional linear barcodes, but are being used where traditional barcodes were too large, did not provide sufficient storage capacity, or were unreadable.
Data Matrix Code Structure
The 2D matrix codes appear as a "checkerboard" with the individual squares (cells) in either on on (white) or off (black) state. The code consists of four distinct elements.
· The Finder "L" Pattern consists of a solid row of cells along the left edge and bottom of the code that orients the reader to the layout of the 2D code.
· The Clock Track is a sequence of on/off cells along the right edge and top of the code that designates the row/column count to the reader.
· The Data Region is the pattern of black and white cells within the L pattern and the clock tracks that contain the alphanumeric content of the code.
· The Quiet Zone around the code must be free of any features that may be visible to the reader. The quiet zone should be at least two rows/columns wide for codes constructed of square cells. The quiet zone should be at least four rows/columns wide for codes constructed of circular cells (dots).
ECC 200 Data Matrix codes can store up to 3,116 numeric, 2,335 alphanumeric characters or 1,555 bytes of binary information in a 144 column by 144 row array. More realistic symbol dimensions for printed circuit boards can still contain a significant amount of information.
Laser Marking System
The laser marking system consists of the laser source, the beam-shaping optics, and the beam-steering system.
The laser is a light amplifier generating a bright, collimated beam of light at a specific wavelength. For FR4 and solder mask applications, most users choose the air-cooled CO2 laser operating at the 10,640nm far-infrared wavelength. This laser offers several performance and cost advantages, and produces excellent marking results.
The laser beam is projected through two beam-deflecting mirrors mounted to high-speed, high-accuracy galvanometers. As the mirrors are rotated under direction of the system computer, the laser beam scans across the target marking surface to "draw" the desired marking image.
After the laser beam is deflected from the beam-steering mirrors, it is focused to the smallest spot possible by flat-field focusing optics. The flat-field focusing assembly is a multi-element optical device designed to maintain the focal plane of the focused laser beam on a relatively flat plane throughout the marking field. The focused laser light significantly increases the power density and associated marking power.
The function of the laser optical train is to focus the laser beam to a small spot and to scan the laser beam over the target surface with high speed and accuracy. With the CO2 laser configuration, the focused spot diameter and associated marking line width is about 0.0035" to 0.004". Man-readable text characters can be as small as 0.040" and 2D matrix codes can be constructed from individual features as small as a single 0.004" dot.
PCB Marking
To mark printed circuit boards, the heat generated by the laser beam thermally alters the surface of the board to create a contrasting, legible mark. The process does not require labels, stencils, punches or any other auxiliary hardware or consumable.
For printed circuit board applications, several different variations of this technique can be used for different board/coating materials and background conditions.
· Solder mask or other Conformal Coatings on FR4 Boards -
The laser beam can alter the texture of the coating, giving it a lighter contrasting appearance, or can completely remove the coating to expose the underlying substrate or copper ground plane.
· Uncoated FR4 -
The laser beam alters the texture of the surface of the FR4 producing a near white appearance.
· Silk-screened Ink Block -
For users who already silkscreen component identification or other fixed information on the boards, a silk-screened white ink block can function as a background to the 2D matrix code to optimize readability. This technique is particularly helpful when…
o The background color of the board is similar to the color of the laser mark.
o Underlying circuitry would obscure the marking image to code readers.
o The board material is not suitable for laser marking, such as ceramic substrates.
2D Matrix Code Verification
Verification of the legibility and content of the 2D matrix codes is an important step in the overall quality program. After marking of each circuit, the reader verifies the integrity of the mark before indexing the laser marking head to the next marking location. The reader retrieves the alphanumeric text string from the 2D code and compares it with the text string that was to be marked.
The reader also evaluates the legibility of the code based on a variety of parameters including foreground/background contrast, geometric accuracy (skew, squareness, etc.) and the dimensional accuracy of both the marked and unmarked cells. The 2D matrix codes are then categorized as passed (green), warned (yellow) or failed (red). For overall production efficiency, the laser system can be programmed to verify only a select few 2D codes on a panel, then to automatically switch to verifying every code if the code legibility falls below a specified level.
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
Fo
Froogle (now submitted through Google Base) is a price comparison service launched by Google Inc. in 2002. Froogle is different from most other price comparison services in that it neither charges any fees for listings, nor accepts payment for products to show up first. Also, it makes no commission on sales. Any company can submit product information (via a “data feed”) and be included in the Froogle price comparison engine.This process is good but can become very tedious so today I would like to discuss a more streamlined way, which you can have your products automatically submitted on a frequent basis. This is the method I would like to discuss and inform you of so you can reap the benefits for your business.Having your products submitted automatically to Froogle (Google Base) is great for product companies that use a database because the automated process can simply connect to your database everyday and compile a new list of product information. The process will then take this information and format it for insertion into the Froogle system. This automated method will save your business time, money and dramatically increase sales because the automated process will handle the entire process for you.There are a few automated tools out there that claim to automate the entire process. The only fully automated system I’ve seen so far has been developed by Hudson Horizons
Laser Marking System
The laser marking system consists of the laser source, the beam-shaping optics, and the beam-steering system.
The laser is a light amplifier generating a bright, collimated beam of light at a specific wavelength. For FR4 and solder mask applications, most users choose the air-cooled CO2 laser operating at the 10,640nm far-infrared wavelength. This laser offers several performance and cost advantages, and produces excellent marking results.
The laser beam is projected through two beam-deflecting mirrors mounted to high-speed, high-accuracy galvanometers. As the mirrors are rotated under direction of the system computer, the laser beam scans across the target marking surface to "draw" the desired marking image.
After the laser beam is deflected from the beam-steering mirrors, it is focused to the smallest spot possible by flat-field focusing optics. The flat-field focusing assembly is a multi-element optical device designed to maintain the focal plane of the focused laser beam on a relatively flat plane throughout the marking field. The focused laser light significantly increases the power density and associated marking power.
The function of the laser optical train is to focus the laser beam to a small spot and to scan the laser beam over the target surface with high speed and accuracy. With the CO2 laser configuration, the focused spot diameter and associated marking line width is about 0.0035" to 0.004". Man-readable text characters can be as small as 0.040" and 2D matrix codes can be constructed from individual features as small as a single 0.004" dot.
PCB Marking
To mark printed circuit boards, the heat generated by the laser beam thermally alters the surface of the board to create a contrasting, legible mark. The process does not require labels, stencils, punches or any other auxiliary hardware or consumable.
For printed circuit board applications, several different variations of this technique can be used for different board/coating materials and background conditions.
· Solder mask or other Conformal Coatings on FR4 Boards -
The laser beam can alter the texture of the coating, giving it a lighter contrasting appearance, or can completely remove the coating to expose the underlying substrate or copper ground plane.
· Uncoated FR4 -
The laser beam alters the texture of the surface of the FR4 producing a near white appearance.
· Silk-screened Ink Block -
For users who already silkscreen component identification or other fixed information on the boards, a silk-screened white ink block can function as a background to the 2D matrix code to optimize readability. This technique is particularly helpful when…
o The background color of the board is similar to the color of the laser mark.
o Underlying circuitry would obscure the marking image to code readers.
o The board material is not suitable for laser marking, such as ceramic substrates.
2D Matrix Code Verification
Verification of the legibility and content of the 2D matrix codes is an important step in the overall quality program. After marking of each circuit, the reader verifies the integrity of the mark before indexing the laser marking head to the next marking location. The reader retrieves the alphanumeric text string from the 2D code and compares it with the text string that was to be marked.
The reader also evaluates the legibility of the code based on a variety of parameters including foreground/background contrast, geometric accuracy (skew, squareness, etc.) and the dimensional accuracy of both the marked and unmarked cells. The 2D matrix codes are then categorized as passed (green), warned (yellow) or failed (red). For overall production efficiency, the laser system can be programmed to verify only a select few 2D codes on a panel, then to automatically switch to verifying every code if the code legibility falls below a specified level.
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
Fo
Over the past 12 years or so I have saved thousands of dollars with grocery coupons. I make no secret of the fact that if you know when and how to use grocery coupons, they are like free money. When you consider the fact that 99% of them are thrown away, it is pretty easy for grocery coupon users to get a lot of free money with very little effort. Friends and family members who do not share my love of couponing are more than happy to give me their unused grocery coupon circulars, and I save even more!But I will admit that I have not been an avid user of rebates. I know there are shoppers who know how to work the rebates to save as much or even more than I do with grocery coupons. When you combine the two strategies, you can really save big bucks. So I have tried rebates in the past and found that I managed to misplace receipts and rebate forms, missed deadlines or overlooked required details. In spite of making an effort, I would get a card in the mail that simply explained I had not met the requirements of the rebate offer. Until recently, I hadn't tried any rebates for about five years.But the rebating world has changed. Stores seem to recognize that many of us are "rebate-impaired" and they are working harder to get our attention by offering very easy, streamline rebate programs. Not only are they easier than in the past, but they are extremely generous, offering many ite
For printed circuit board applications, several different variations of this technique can be used for different board/coating materials and background conditions.
· Solder mask or other Conformal Coatings on FR4 Boards -
The laser beam can alter the texture of the coating, giving it a lighter contrasting appearance, or can completely remove the coating to expose the underlying substrate or copper ground plane.
· Uncoated FR4 -
The laser beam alters the texture of the surface of the FR4 producing a near white appearance.
· Silk-screened Ink Block -
For users who already silkscreen component identification or other fixed information on the boards, a silk-screened white ink block can function as a background to the 2D matrix code to optimize readability. This technique is particularly helpful when…
o The background color of the board is similar to the color of the laser mark.
o Underlying circuitry would obscure the marking image to code readers.
o The board material is not suitable for laser marking, such as ceramic substrates.
2D Matrix Code Verification
Verification of the legibility and content of the 2D matrix codes is an important step in the overall quality program. After marking of each circuit, the reader verifies the integrity of the mark before indexing the laser marking head to the next marking location. The reader retrieves the alphanumeric text string from the 2D code and compares it with the text string that was to be marked.
The reader also evaluates the legibility of the code based on a variety of parameters including foreground/background contrast, geometric accuracy (skew, squareness, etc.) and the dimensional accuracy of both the marked and unmarked cells. The 2D matrix codes are then categorized as passed (green), warned (yellow) or failed (red). For overall production efficiency, the laser system can be programmed to verify only a select few 2D codes on a panel, then to automatically switch to verifying every code if the code legibility falls below a specified level.
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
Fo
There is a simple truth in the real estate industry: real estate agents sell homes. It is this same reasons why a large percentage of FSBO homes eventually end up listing with an agent. Realtors simple provide an irreplaceable service, that is proven to sell homes quicker and faster and with more profit and less stress for home owners. When it comes to the art of homes sales it is difficult to equal the package that is offered by a professional agent.Perhaps the most important thing that an agent can offer to a home seller is a comprehensive marketing package. This package typically spans multiple forms of media and is tailor made to showcase homes to a large market. The most prominent of these advertising methods is a well constructed and optimized website. Maintaining a good web presence is critical in assuring that your home has as much coverage as possible. It is a reality of the current real estate business that 90% of homes are first seen by their future buyers online. The web presence combined with more traditional marketing methods such as newspaper ads, mail outs and open houses help to give your home the best possible chance of selling for a price that makes you happy.Another reason that many FSBO homes end up being listed is the fact that as a home owner, you still have regular life responsibilities, work, kids, family and so on, do you really have 24/7 to dedicat
Today's readers do an excellent job reading lower contrast 2D codes. If the laser marking system is installed on an assembly line with older 2D matrix readers downstream from the laser marker, the verification reader can be configured to evaluate the codes based on the performance of the older downstream readers to assure consistent performance throughout the assembly process.
Marking Performance
The typical printed circuit board marker is a fully automated, SMEMA-compliant, through-conveyor laser marking system. The overall productivity of the laser marker is comprised of several steps that make up the marking cycle. The steps required to mark one multi-array panel are…
1. Transport and positioning of the panel in the marking area.
2. Fiducial location detection (optional)
3. Marking of the first circuit in the array
4. Verification of the marked 2D matrix code (optional)
5. Motion of the laser marking head to the next circuit in the array.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining circuits in the array.
7. Transport of the panel out of the laser marking system (synonymous with bringing the next panel in)
Cost of Operation
Cost of operation is much less than $1.00 per hour. Typical utilities requirements are 110VAC, 1-phase, 12A. A compressed air source is required for the pneumatics. Total utilities costs at maximum laser power (the laser should actually operate at less then 80% rated power) are $0.12 per hour. The primary consumable item is the CO2 laser tube that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years at a cost of typically $1,000.00 to $1,500.00. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and tube life of 3 years, the tube replacement cost would equate to $0.18 per hour for a total operating cost of $0.30 per hour under worst case conditions. Actual operating costs will be lower due to less than maximum electrical usage and longer tube life.
For typical pcb laser marking applications, the cost for marking is less than $0.0003 per circuit.
Summary
The electronics industry has been searching for a cost and technically effective means of applying machine-readable codes to printed circuit boards since the 1980's. Early attempts included laser marking linear barcodes on the board edge, a daunting challenge for reader alignment, and marking linear barcodes next to circuit traces, also a challenge for barcode readers. Barcode content was limited to a few characters due to limited space and the barcodes character-per-inch capacity.
The development of the 2D matrix code combined with the resolution, permanence and speed of beam-steered laser marking technology now offers manufacturers a reliable, cost-effective, flexible and verifiable means to uniquely identify every product through production, distribution and after-sale.
Visit Laser Marking or call (407) 679-9716
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