Selecting the right kind of bar code scanner
By: Weng Lee
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Word Count: 511
It is common to find barcodes on products in different situations. To read the information contained on the barcodes you need a barcode scanner. We have all come across this phenomenon in supermarkets when we buy a product and the cashier slides it over a barcode scanner and the price and other product details pop up on his computer which he automatically adds to your bill.
There are other benefits that barcode and barcode scanners have. They also help in maintaining asset traffic as every time a product is bought the control system is alerted. This allows the system to keep a record of products sold and those available for purchase. Today there are many different kinds of barcode scanners and printers available in the market. The most popularly used amongst them are
The Wand Scanner-
This device is probably the simplest type of barcode scanner available. It is shaped like a pen by which you have to touch the barcode to scan it. The wand emits a light which scans the information and decodes it in the system which recognizes the product. It is highly effective and affordable as well.
But there are certain drawbacks to this kind of barcode scanner. Firstly it has limited applications. Secondly it needs to be positioned at a precise angle for it to work and the user must slide it over the bar code at a constant speed. This makes the process slow and cumbersome.
The CCD Scanner
This type of scanner is known as the charged coupled device and is the second least expensive barcode scanner. In terms of usage it must be held close to the barcode just like the wand scanner for it to read the information.
The only difference being that unlike the wand scanner which requires the user to slide the wand across the barcode the CCD scanner does not require you to do so. All you have to do is press the reader against the label and then pull the trigger. The photographed barcode is then digitized and decoded into the system.
This device is by far the simplest to use and can be found in 2 and 4 inch width. Newer technology has made it possible for CCD scanners to read the barcode label from 20 inches away.
3. The Laser Scanner – This type of scanner is useful for the reading and recording of high volume applications. It is an extremely quick process which uses a beam of light. The scanner need not touch the product in this case rather scanning takes place by positioning the product in front of the device.
This is why laser scanners like Motorola laser scanners are constantly being used in situations where products are passing on a conveyer built and the device is mounted at a strategic position to capture the barcode information. Although this process is the most user =friendly, fast and effective it is not the cheapest to buy.
About the Author
The internet offers a multitude of information regarding the latest barcode scanners. Whether you are looking for light industrial barcode scanners or a particular brand like Motorola laser scanners you can find it all on the internet. Just conduct a simple search and look into the different kinds of barcode readers.
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