	Barcode Readers

Hints and Tips

Mounting Angle

It is recommended to mount a barcode reader at some angle (approx. 15°) as shown in Figure (a), so that the laser beam is at an angle and the reader receives an irregular reflection. When the laser beam is mounted at a right angle to the label, the reflection becomes too strong (specular reflection) for the barcode reader to detect it properly, resulting in inaccurate reading. Be careful not to mount the barcode reader at this angle.

Interference by Extraneous Light

If a photoelectric sensor for synchronization is mounted near a barcode reader, the light from the sensor may be received by the barcode reader and may affect the reading. Mount a photoelectric sensor so that the emitted light or reflected beam of the sensor does not directly enter the barcode reader's light-receiving unit.

Barcode Labels Requiring Caution/Influence of Surrounding Environments

Barcode printed on a metal surface or silver base

The glossy surface of laminated barcodes or barcodes printed on metallic surfaces causes specular reflection of the laser beam, thus making these types of barcodes more difficult to read.
If you are using these types of labels, be careful when you set the angle of the barcode reader. To ensure reliable reading, you should avoid using such barcodes as much as possible.

When the laser beam scans
an exposed metal surface nearby

In an environment where a metal surface is exposed and the laser beam scans the exposed surface as shown above, the laser beam specularly reflects on the metal surface. If the reflected beam enters the barcode reader's light-receiving unit, a phenomenon similar to the case in which the reader receives specular reflection from the label occurs, resulting in unreliable reading. It is recommended to cover the metal surface hit by the laser beam or to apply flat black paint to the surface.