It is difficult to recall a life before laser scanners and barcode readers. It was an age without “beeps” in the check out line, and definitely less productivity.
Lasers generate a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation usually in ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum – a concentrated stream of light. Laser scanners use this powerful beam of light to record data.
Albert Einstein first suggested the energy interaction of lasers in a 1916 paper; however, the idea was considered “odd” and the occurrence “rare”. It wasn’t until World War II and the interest in microwave radiation that the first “maser” was created. The maser opened the door for the shorter-wave-length “laser” development in 1960.
Laser scanners are a critical element in many applications and industries and have been used in material handling for decades. The industry has spent 40 years refining, creating technology standards, and perfecting it to become the most cost-effective, high performing solution for industry. Lasers ensure reliable product identification, and are fast and forgiving when precise alignment isn’t always possible.
There are an amazing variety of scanners, some of which include: the normal line scanner, raster scanner (one reading multiple lines), scanner with oscillating mirror sweeps (for unknown or inconsistent barcode placement), and special scanners for challenging angles (technology that stitches the barcode back together after reading).
Imaging products are a recent development in scanning technology but provide reading solutions at a higher cost with costly components.
Our friends at Pepperl + Fuchs invented the game-changing technology of the proximity switch and spurred whole industries based on the sensor and scanner. They lead the field in innovation from their headquarters in Twinsville, Ohio, and Mannheim, Germany, capturing it all with high performance, compact design models, special scanners for low temperatures, and barcode scanners able to read codes over six and a half feet away.
We love living in a world of ever-advancing technology and innovation. We are proud to offer the world of automation better scanners, built by the company known for starting it all.
To learn more, give us a call at (303) 500-5161.
