Image-based ID readers are poised to replace laser scanners in a wide range of industries including food,beverage, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and automotive, but when considering a transition from laser scanners to image-based barcode readers many think the cost too high.

Thanks to advances in microprocessors, imaging sensors and decoding algorithms, image-based ID readers have become not only more affordable, but also more powerful. Today's most advanced image-based ID readers have overcome the technical and economic hurdles and now offer a more attractive alternative to industrial laser scanners on the factory floor.

Cognex , the world leader of image-based ID readers is the only company that can support all 1D barcode and 2D code reading requirements. Cognex DataMan® readers are offered in either fixed-mount or hand-heldd models hand-heldld models available wired or wireless) and offer patented code reading technology, with IDMax®, which includes:1D Barcode Reading and 2D Code Reading

1D Barcode Reading
Cognex DataMan ID readers provide the best overall read rates for 1D barcodes—handling extreme variations of code degradation with 1DMax™ technology. They can also read codes in any orientation and can read multiple codes simultaneously. With better read rates and no moving parts image-based ID readers are increasingly replacing laser scanners on the factory floor.

2D Code Reading
From easy to read 2D codes on labels to Direct Part Marks (DPM) on electronics components, plastic, ceramics or metal, to high density codes on glass—DataMan ID readers provide the most robust reading reliability for all industries with 2DMax™ patented reading algorithm and UltraLight® illumination technologies.

These technologies have enabled direct marked 2D codes to be applied to a wide range of products that previously were difficult to identify and track through their manufacturing and usage lifecycle.

In use, the latest generation of image-based ID readers has proven to actually outperform lasers in read rate performance, long-term reliability, omnidirectional code reading, 2D code reading, multiple code reading and output capability, image archiving,ease of set-up and deployment, barcode quality feedback, visualization and communication and future proofing.

While many industries are beginning to add 2D codes, such as Data Matrix or QR to provide additional tracking information to parts, not all industries are adopting these types of codes quickly. If this is the case, it’s important to know that some image-based readers help make the transition from laser based to image-based scanning easier, with a lower cost model. These readers offer omnidirectional 1D bar code reading and lower risk with the ability to upgrade those 1D bar code reading models to enable 2D codes such as Data Matrix and QR codes. In addition, the most advanced image-based readers also have firmware update programmes,ensuring that the reader’s firmware can be upgraded with the latest decoding methods and new code types.

When considering the transition from laser scanners to image-based bar code reading, it’s important to consider the many advantages they offer.

Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision sensors and systems, or devices that can "see." Cognex vision sensors are used in factories around the world to automate the manufacture of a wide range of items and to assure their quality. Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped more than 500,000 machine vision systems, representing over $2.5 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, Cognex also has regional offices and distributors located throughout North America, Japan, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

For more details :contact Didier Lacroix, Senior Vice President, International Sales & Services. email id: support@cognex.in.