Scanning Extended Heat Tag Data

Background

To maintain heat traceability, data is required from Steel Suppliers to match Mill Certificate data to the final item being produced. 

Sometimes this data is partially available from the Heat Tag itself usually in the form of a PDF or QR style barcode. 

This article covers the steps and actions required to capture this data.

Before you begin

• You will require access to a Bitberry production scanner that is capable of processing bar type production tags.
• You will require access to a heat tag containing recognised data. (At present this is mainly Infrabuild style tags however, the same process also applies to other manufacturers who provide recognised data on their heat tags and is known to Bitberry.

Sample Heat Tag:

This sample tag comprises two barcodes. A linear 1D barcode at the bottom and a 2D QR style barcode towards the centre. Linear barcodes are simpler to read for most scanners so will usually process more quickly and reliably however 2D barcodes are capable of storing much more data.

For this example:

• Ensure the scanner is logged on with a valid employee card:
  
  The scanner should be displaying the current time in the first line of the display when logged in:
  
• Scan the Infrabuild 1D BARCODE.
  If the tag has not already been processed the scanner will request that the 2D barcode is scanned instead:
  
• Scan the Infrabuild 2D Barcode. If successful the scanner will respond with details of the bar obtained:

Future scans of either the 1D or 2D barcode will simply load or unload the stock for consumption by the scanner.

Note that Unloading stock is indicated by a "-" in front of the product type whereas Loading stock has a "+"in front of the product.

Scanning the 2D card in this way creates a temporary "pending"mill certificate entry that is accessible using the Chrome Inventory Application.