Posted to News on 1st Apr 2016, 11:26
MicroHAWK accessories: barcode reading on reflective surfaces
Microscan is announcing the availability of new Polarizer and Diffuser optical filter accessories for the MicroHAWK Barcode Reader platform. The MicroHAWK ID-30 and ID-40 barcode readers are designed for tough industrial environments and offer excellent decoding power and speed, coupled with compact and durable housing. Users can further extend the application of MicroHAWK readers for specific integration environments by adding optional, field-upgradable accessories to these devices.
New Diffuser and Polarizer optical filter accessories optimise the performance of MicroHAWK readers in specific applications where barcodes are placed on highly reflective surfaces. By simply replacing the standard front window of the device with the Diffuser or Polarizer window, the selected optical filter will block out unwanted light, passing only the light needed for inspection while enhancing contrast and resolution.
In applications where a barcode is marked on a reflective surface, such as a Data Matrix symbol abraded onto a shiny metal part, specular reflections from the metal can "blind" the barcode reader and impede decoding. The Diffuser accessory, which uses a diffusion filter, softens and flattens the background light around the barcode and helps minimise noise and reflections. The Diffuser filter is useful when the reader needs to be mounted perpendicular (90 degrees) to the part, where direct specular reflection is most likely.
The Polarizer accessory, which uses a polarising filter, is suitable for managing reflections from other highly reflective, transparent or lucid materials such as cellophane or glass test tubes. The Polarizer eliminates "hot spots" caused by reflections by allowing one linear light polarisation to be used for the outgoing scanning beam, while the other perpendicular light polarisation will return to the scanner, pass through the polariser, and be detected.
New MicroHAWK accessories, including the Polarizer and Diffuser, are now in stock and available for purchase. For more information about the MicroHAWK readers and Microscan, please visit www.microscan.com/microhawk.
