It's the smallest bar code reader in the world!

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 24, 2000

Using technology originally developed for ultra high accuracy sensors, Keyence has launched the world's smallest laser bar code reader.

Using technology originally developed for ultra high accuracy sensors, Keyence has launched the world's smallest laser bar code reader.

As well as the semi-conductor and electronics markets, the super compact BL-600 series is aimed at all manufacturers who rely on bar codes for identification and production control.

Measuring just 31 x 40 x 21 mm, the BL-600 not only smashes the world record for the smallest bar code reader, but also has twice the range of other readers in its class.

At its heart is a new and innovative microscopic polygon mirror and motor originally aimed at advanced sensors.

However, the series also comes with a host of other industry firsts.

Using Keyence's own auto gain control (AGC) circuits for advanced, high-speed performance, the BL-600 series offers excellent reading depth and angle characteristics.

Built-in specular reflection cancel (SRC) circuits greatly reduce the effects of extraneous reflected light, guaranteeing more reliable and stable reading.

In another world first, the BL-600 series has a built-in preventive maintenance information (PMI) function for monitoring and reporting reading performance during operation.

PMI is a quick way to detect potential reading error problems and is an extremely convenient tool for both acquiring valuable maintenance information and investigating the causes of reading errors.

Other novel features include a built-in test mode for faster installation and maintenance, while a five-bar LED display indicates the reading ratio (decoding/100 scans) in real time, and a scanning speed of 500 scans/second ensures exceptional accuracy even on very fast production lines.

The BL-600 series also boasts a number of clever design features, including die-cast magnesium construction for strength and rigidity, exceptional resistance to cope with the severest environments, and a flat reading surface making them as easy to use as sensors.

A variety of types are available to suit different application conditions.

Front- and side-type are offered to make the best use of limited space, while single-scan or raster-scan types can be selected depending on bar code quality.

Selection can also be based on the minimum bar widths of the bar codes to be read - the standard model having a minimum width of 0.19mm while the high-resolution model is down to 0.125mm.

"Thanks to the BL-600's size, many semi-conductor/electronics manufacturers and their machine builders have standardised on it.

As a result of this, Keyence is now a market leader in the field of industrial bar code reading in Japan, Korea and America," said Marketing Manager, Shinji Furuta of Keyence UK.

"Manufacturers in other sectors, where identification and production control use bar codes, particularly automotive components, pharmaceutical manufacturing and logistics, will also find it a huge benefit," he added.