Microplate Barcode Labeler User Guide - Agilent Technologies

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Chapter 7: Using the VCode’s bar code reader
VCode User Guide
About installing the bar code reader
Introduction
This topic explains the general principles you will need to understand
when installing a bar code reader. It also describes the workflow,
pointing you to the topics that give installation directions.
General goal
To obtain successful bar code readings you must align the reader so that
the laser lines reflect from the bar code label back into the reader with
sufficient intensity for them to be read.
Factors affecting
optimal alignment
The optimal bar code reader position will vary for different:
❑ Types of plates
❑ Label positions on the plate
❑ Bar code positions on the label
❑ Sides of the plate
❑ Vertical plate stage positions
If you change your
labelling setup
Because the optimal bar code reader position varies according to
whether you are labelling the short side or long side of a plate, you may
need to re-align the reader if you change the print job. If you are
labelling both a short side and long side in the same print job, you will
need to set up the reader in a compromise position that can read from
either side.
The effect of
ambient light
The amount of ambient light can affect the success of a reading. The
higher the ambient light intensity, the more difficult it will be for the
reader to detect reflected light.
Workflow
The workflow for installing the bar code reader on the VCode is given in
the following table:
Step Procedure See...
1 Attach the reader to the VCode. “Attaching the bar code reader”
on page 143
2 Adjust the reader so that the laser
beam hits the label on a plate.
3 Test the performance of the
reader.
“Targeting the laser on the
label” on page 145
“Testing the reader using VCode
Diagnostics” on page 147