George:

I don't know whether bar coding is the best method. Perhaps others in 
this forum will opine.

The Electronics Industries Association has a number of specifications for 
bar code labels (for the electronics and other industries) including what 
they should look like. 

IPC is developing a standard (IPC-7911) for materials and test protocols 
specifically for bar code labels for PWBs. The concept is simple: a user can 
test a particular label to see whether it will withstand the rigors of his 
particular processes. 

You may want to contact Vicki Heideman at Brady USA ([log in to unmask]), who 
is chair of the IPC Bar Code Label Subcommittee, or Harry Parkinson at 
DEC, chair of the IPC Assembly Equipment task group, to discuss some of the 
commonly used readers and scanners.

Mike Buetow
IPC Technical Staff
2215 Sanders Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
P: 847-509-9700, ext. 335
F: 847-509-9798
[log in to unmask]


On Fri, 12 Apr 1996, Murray, George @ GSC wrote:

> 
> Is barcoding the best method for tracking panels as they move through the 
> fabrication process?  What are some alternatives?  If barcoding is 
> successful, who specifies the standard for the Barcode used?  Are there any 
> specific make or models of readers and scanners that are commonly used?
> 
> George Murray
> [log in to unmask]
> 
>