From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#169]
25 Oct 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#168] 25 Oct 2006
quote:
When you say "enter data" is that data simply text describing specs of the part being marked?
Yes. There are several formats that are acceptable. Basically, the formats describe the data, field and record separators and then EoT (end of transmission). Here's a sample:
code:
[)>~d030DD~d029MFR CAGE CODE~d029SER SERIAL NO~d030~d004
Really, for this particular format, a user would just have to concern themselves with the two data fields: CAGE CODE and SERIAL NO. Cage Code is the governments 'code' for assigning a number to each supplier. The 'serial number', of course is the serial number of a specific product. The user would only have to substitute their CAGE CODE for the text in the string "CAGE CODE" (I put in ABDEF for the CAGE CODE) and replace the SERIAL NO with the part serial number (123456), like this:
code:
[)>~d030DD~d029MFR ABCDEF~d029SER 123456~d030~d004
The other stuff is constant and is used for identifying the data format and where fields start, stop and terminate.
The actual part information would be tied to the mfg and the serial number and would be used to look-up whatever information the government needed about that part. Even though, and this gets weird, the Data Matrix symbol can contain several thousand characters of data, they only use a small portion of that capacity. The Data Matrix symbol acts like a link or license plate to the real data, which is stored in a centralized data base somewhere.
Food for thought: Can you imagine assigning serial numbers and marking each individual rivet/bolt or nut of a military aircraft? Daunting task, I would think. Not that they WILL require this, but they might!
From: sprinter [#170]
25 Oct 2006
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#167] 25 Oct 2006
It sounds like what the computer magazines tried years ago for a barcode replacement. They also used it for source code listings and article reprints. They even released the source code for it and several companies was giving away free portable scanners.EDITED: 25 Oct 2006 by SPRINTER
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#171]
25 Oct 2006
To: ALL
The Data Matrix software posts have been given their own discussion title, in the "Where Can I Find" folder, under "Data Matrix Software."
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#172]
25 Oct 2006
To: sprinter [#170] 25 Oct 2006
I don't remember Data Matrix being used for any of those. In order to read a Data Matrix symbol, you have to have an image processor and something to take an image (ie a camera, RS-170, CMOS) of the Data Matrix symbol. Barcodes are 1D (one-dimensional). They can be read with those cheap scanners (red laser lights).
There was the infamous CueCats! They were publishing CueCodes in Parade magazine many years ago. I have several CueCats (via Radio Shack give-aways) and still use them today for barcode reading. Of course, they have to be 'declawed' and modified to suit my needs, but they are strictly 1D barcode readers. And I'm pretty sure they weren't giving away readers for Data Matrix symbols. Data Matrix readers start at several hundred dollars for even the most basic of readers. There was one once that you could get for $99, but I think that company folded a long time ago. Had they been giving them away then, there would have been a serious shortage due to all the people getting them to hack the imagers, similar to what was done with CueCats.
There are many alternative uses for Data Matrix, including one for mobile/cell phones. There's even a site that has released software for creating Data Matrix symbols that could be read with a cell phone, although, they've had some compatibility problems. I've had way too many e-mails from people 'complaining' that my website creates smaller codes than the other software and they want to know WHY!!! Uh, go ask the other guy? The purpose was to produce Data Matrix symbols that would point to a website (the URL would be encoded in the Data Matrix). You use your cell phone to read the Data Matrix (take a picture of it) and then software added to the cell phone (or is it a reference to a website where the decoding is done?) sends your browser cell phone to a website to get more information. You can read more about that one at http://www.semacode.org, I think. That started maybe 5 or 6 years ago and I haven't seen much progress.
You may want to look on the back of your driver's license. PDF417 (2D barcode or stacked linear symbology) has made it's way onto the back of mine in Alabama (yes, we do have cars in Alabama). PDF417 is nothing more than a bunch of 1D barcodes stacked on top of each other, ie a stacked symbology. PDF417 is used to store a lot of information also and maybe the one that you are thinking about. Although, I believe PDF417 also requires a little more expensive reader than say, what a CueCat would be, because the scanner has to scan vertically as it rasters to-and-fro.
The barcode industry, even though there's been several court cases challenging ownership of the patents, are here to stay. RFID (radio frequency tags) was supposed to be the next big thing, but they are having to fight the existing infrastructure and the lack of security for your data being broadcast. Heck, even Wal-Mart gave up after demanding that their suppliers be compliant, oh, say, two years ago?
Oh, and if you travel abroad and your passport is about to expire, you might want to get a new one before they add the RFID chips to them and broadcast your passport information to who knows who!! Please don't tell me it's not a threat, or why would they go back and add shields to the passports? That's great when they are closed, but as soon as you open them.........
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#173]
25 Oct 2006
To: ALL
I'm going to temporarily close this thread to new posts, so any further discussion of the Data Matrix Software can take place in its new area, in the "Where Can I Find" folder:
http://www.engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=5192.1
EDITED: 25 Oct 2006 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#174]
9 Nov 2006
To: ALL
You'll be happy to see Cermark is back on our "Special Deals" page, with their Holiday Special, which will be valid until the end of this year.
Also, don't forget to come to next year's Beach Party, Thurs. Feb. 22nd, from 6-9 pm, during the ARA International Awards Market, where you'll be able to meet "Mr. Science" (Sean Weir) and other members of the Cermark crew. :-)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#175]
10 Nov 2006
To: ALL
I was contacted by a person/company who will have a "Special Deal" for you laser enthusiasts.
I'll be sure to let you know when the ad is up.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#176]
22 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#175] 22 Nov 2006
As advertised, Michael McCullock, of OEM Optics, has joined those companies offering "Special Deals" to our forum members.
OEM quality replacement laser optics, for very attractive prices...and that's before you apply your 10% EE member discount! :-)
Thank you Michael.
Edit: Oops! Posted to myself. :S EDITED: 22 Nov 2006 by DGL
From: UncleSteve [#177]
22 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#176] 23 Nov 2006
quote:
Edit: Oops! Posted to myself. :S
Well, at least SOMEONE is talking to you again! (devil)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#178]
24 Nov 2006
To: Laser Guy (OPTICS) [#177] 24 Nov 2006
Michael,
Thank you for the exclusive offer to our group. When you say "optics" does that include mirrors?
From: Laser Guy (OPTICS) [#179]
25 Nov 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#178] 25 Nov 2006
David
Yes that does include mirrors. I will be adding more product to the web site next week. If any of the members have specific questions about optics for their machine, drop me a line.
Thanks
Michael
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