Barcodes remain popular in identification used in industry, logistics, and trade. However, new technologies such as RFID and two-dimensional codes are increasingly being used. The market is being captured to an increasing extent by the Data Matrix code. Its structure, reading system based on image analysis, and direct printing technique (laser engraving, embossing,
dot peen marking, and inkjet printing) ensure stable coding performance on almost all substrates
and surfaces. The latest version, Data Matrix ECC 200 with the Reed-Solomon error correction algorithm, offers high data security.
2D codes can be created using the same printing techniques as standard barcodes. In the case of barcodes, information is presented using dark and light bars. The width of the element must maintain precise dimensions in accordance with the specification. In the case of matrix codes, it is essential that the cells are printed in the correct size and position
on the reference matrix. In a 2D code, the position of a cell is analyzed, not its size. During registration, no problems arise as long as the position and fill level of the cells change within a narrow tolerance. Reading techniques can still handle this. In the case of larger deviations, there is a risk that the entire code will not be readable.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 5/2006.