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Many industrial parts do not have a traditional barcode label.
Instead, the part may have a:
Selected Zebra mobile computers and rugged tablets can capture these markings electronically, helping reduce manual data entry and improve accuracy in manufacturing, maintenance, warehouse and field-service applications.
Barcode Factory can help determine whether your application is best suited for OCR, AI-based OCR, standard barcode scanning or DPM barcode capture.
OCR, or Optical Character Recognition, allows a Zebra device to read visible letters and numbers instead of requiring a barcode.
For example, a part may contain:
SERIAL: AB23984751
A Zebra mobile computer can capture the characters and enter:
AB23984751
directly into an ERP, WMS, maintenance, manufacturing or inventory application.
This can eliminate the need for an operator to manually type long serial numbers.
Depending on the application, OCR and part-mark capture can be performed using Zebra:
Devices such as the Zebra TC53, TC58, TC73 and TC78 combine enterprise barcode scanning, cameras and Zebra data-capture software in a handheld touchscreen device.
They are a strong choice when workers need to capture both barcodes and serial-number text.
Zebra MC Series devices are designed for more demanding warehouse and manufacturing environments.
Models with keypads, pistol grips or specialized scan engines may be preferable where workers are wearing gloves or performing repetitive data capture.
Zebra rugged tablets can also be part of an OCR solution.
Models such as the Zebra ET60, ET65, ET60W and ET65W provide larger screens while maintaining rugged construction and enterprise data-capture capabilities.
Rugged tablets are particularly useful where the worker needs to:
For maintenance, field service and manufacturing applications, a Zebra rugged tablet can combine data capture and application access in one device.
OCR and DPM are related, but they are not the same.
OCR recognizes visible text such as: SN A48392017. The characters may be printed, etched, engraved or dot-peened.
Direct Part Marking usually refers to a Data Matrix barcode that has been laser-etched, chemically marked or dot-peened directly into metal, plastic or another material.
DPM barcodes can be more difficult to read than printed barcode labels because of:
For difficult DPM barcode applications, a Zebra device with a DPM-specific scan engine may be required.
A dot-peened serial number made from letters and numbers is an OCR application.
A dot-peened Data Matrix barcode is a DPM barcode application.
The correct Zebra hardware can be different for each.
One of the advantages of Zebra enterprise devices is DataWedge.
DataWedge can take captured information and send it into the active software field much like keyboard entry or a traditional barcode scan.
A typical workflow can be:
In many cases, this allows OCR to work with an existing application without completely redesigning the customer's software.
Explore Zebra software solutions.
Some industrial markings are more difficult than standard printed text.
Examples include:
Zebra also offers AI-based Text OCR designed for more challenging text-recognition applications, including dot-peen characters and certain Direct Part Marking text applications. For difficult serial-number capture, AI OCR may provide better recognition than conventional OCR.
There is no single Zebra device that is best for every OCR or DPM application.
The correct configuration depends on:
The specific scan engine, camera and software configuration can be just as important as the device model.
Barcode Factory can also help evaluate the broader barcode scanning solution when the application includes both traditional barcodes and part markings.
OCR and DPM performance should always be tested using the customer's real parts.
A serial number that is easy for a person to read may still be difficult for a camera because of reflections, angle or poor contrast.
Barcode Factory recommends testing several representative samples, including the most difficult markings.
We can evaluate:
This allows us to recommend the appropriate Zebra TC Series, MC Series or rugged tablet configuration before a larger rollout.
From Fortune 500 companies to your small business, 125,000+ companies trust our products, service, and support.
Barcode Factory is a premier partner with the industry's leading hardware, media, and software providers. We give our customers access to proven products, services, and resources for labeling and data capture applications.
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If your workers are manually entering serial numbers from parts, Zebra mobile computers and rugged tablets may be able to automate the process.
Barcode Factory can help determine whether your application requires:
Send us photos or sample parts and we can help identify the best Zebra solution.
Ask Us to Test Your Part Markings
For more information or to discuss your project, Contact Us or call 888-237-8525.