ng an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) version of its Lector 620 scanner for packaging applications, making combined alphanumeric character and barcode reading, quality-checking and matching, faster, simpler and more reliable than was previously possible.SICK’s new LECTOR 620 OCR combines Optical Character Reading, Optical Character Verification, 2D and barcode reading in a single device. It delivers outstanding reading capability with ease of set-up in a compact, competitively-priced sensor.
Using machine vision-based technology can be a vital weapon in the battle to ensure pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and FMCG products leave the factory with alphanumeric labelling information fully readable, matches the product’s barcode and is fully traceable. Says Neil Sandhu, Application Specialist for Imaging & Measurement at Sick:
“Pharmaceutical, Food, FMCG, and cosmetics packaging still needs human readable on-pack data, such as batch, lot numbers and best-before expiry dates. These numbers, letters, symbols and codes need to be verified, be of a readable quality and match the barcode to ensure the right data is associated with the right pack. It’s the only cast-iron way for manufacturers to save punitive fines and comply with the requirements of retailers and the law.
SICK spent several years researching the best decoding algorithms before developing the LECTOR 620 OCR to achieve outstanding speed and read reliability. With simple swivel-connector mounting, installation is quick thanks to the scanner’s aiming laser, focus adjustment, and auto-setup. With a built-in facility to teach font changes ‘on the fly’, there’s no need to stop the line for product changes.
The SICK LECTOR 620 OCR permits plain text letters, symbols and numbers at distance of between 30mm and 300mm to be detected both while stationary and at speeds of up to 4.0 m/s. A range of standard fonts are supported, as well as barcodes and data matrix codes, ensuring both legibility and placement for essential quality control. The device incorporates a microSD card for image storage and parameter back-up memory.
The teach-in of fonts and commissioning for the LECTOR 620 OCR are rapid and easy, done at the scanner rather than remotely from a PC, and can be performed from the running production line. The integrated font training wizard provides intuitive teach-in and fonts can be cloned to other LECTOR 620 OCR scanners, saving time in full line commissioning and the font locator function ensures easy reading of moving fonts.
The SICK LECTOR 620 OCR offers USB-based Ethernet connection to a factory communications network for remote reading and data logging or, alternatively, is compatible with CAN bus or Profibus protocols. The device is also compatible with SICK’s proprietary IDpro protocols for quick and easy integration into many industrial networks.
