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Version 2.0, Revision I
Instrument Components and Specifications
3
Warning
Data should never be printed as bar code only, but also as text (line of optical characters above or
below the bar code), to ensure that no information is lost for the above reasons.
Requirements for bar code printing
The quality and readability of printed bar codes will depend on several factors that include:
•
Texture and quality of the print surface on the selected surface of the slide.
•
The color of the title bloc.
•
Bar code style (1D or 2D).
•
The number and types of characters required in the bar code.
•
The quality and resolution capabilities of the bar code reader.
As always, using Leica-recommended print media will produce the highest quality print. However, it
is highly recommended that any bar code solution be tested prior to implementation. Please check
with your local representative for details on achieving the maximum number of characters with 2D bar
codes.
Bar code scanners
The scanning results obtained not only depend on the correct bar code creation and the quality of the
specimen slides, but also on the features of the bar code scanner used.
Features to bear in mind are:
•
Reading tolerance:
Difference between actual bar width and nominal module size.
•
Light color:
For getting a high contrast the light color of the bar code scanner should be complementary to the
color of the specimen slides being used.
•
Optical resolution:
Must be better than the module size.
Depending on the application, the following features should also be considered:
•
Maximum readable distance
•
Maximum inclination angle
Leica has successfully tested the ZEBRA DS6707 and DS 8108 bar code scanners.
