Cognex Corp. recently announced that it is now offering code quality metrics on its In-Sight ID readers and vision sensors. The new capabilities include International Aerospace Quality Group Standard 9132 for data matrix codes and Cognex supplemental metrics for code readability. This is useful because in many direct part mark identification applications, verification is used at the marking station to identify the missing or inconsistent code features, which may affect readability.

“A good quality mark is an important first step to successful part tracking, but it doesn’t guarantee that a code will be read,” says Justin Testa, Cognex senior vice president for identification products. “The reader must also tolerate degradations to the mark that occur during the manufacturing process, as well as variations in part type and presentation. Cognex readers address both needs with IAQG and supplemental verification metrics to assure mark quality.”

In direct part marking identification applications, the goal of IAQG verification is to be sure that marking equipment is producing the best dot-formed code possible. The goal of reading is to decode and report results as quickly as possible. The new verification capabilities will be available in November 2004.

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