Identification and control equipment is used to collect and communicate the information that is used to coordinate the flow of materials within a facility and between a facility and its suppliers and customers. The major types of identification and communication equipment are:
1. Manual (No Equipment)
The identification of materials and associated communication can be performed manually with no specialized equipment
Although it is sometimes possible to manually coordinate the operation of a material handling system, it becomes more difficult to due so as the speed, size, and complexity of the system increases
2. Bar Codes
Unique bar/space patterns represent various alphanumeric characters
Bar code system consists of bar code label, bar code scanner, and bar code printer
Contact bar code scanners use pen or wand to read labels
Noncontact bar code scanners include fixed beam, moving beam, and omnidirectional
1-D codes are most common; 2-D codes enable much greater data storage capability
3. Radio Frequency (RF) Tag
Data encoded on chip encased in a tag
Noncontact: can be read when the tag is within 30 ft. of an antenna
Tags can either be attached to a container, or permanently or temporarily to an item
RF tags have greater data storage capability than bar codes
4. Magnetic Stripe
Data encoded on a magnetic stripe that is readable in almost any environment
Requires contact with a reader
Greater storage capability and more expensive than bar codes
5. Machine Vision
Does not require explicit encoding of data since objects can be identified by their physical appearance
Noncontact, but typically requires structured lighting
More flexible than other identification equipment, but less robust
6. Portable Data Terminal
Handheld, arm-mounted, or vehicle-mounted data storage and communication device
Communicates with a host computer via a radio frequency or infrared link
Variety of input devices available: keyboard, bar code scanner, voice headset
7. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)/Internet
Electronic data interchange (EDI) provides standards for inter-corporate transfer of purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and other frequently used business documents
Prior to the Internet, EDI required expensive dedicated value added networks (VANs)
EDI is critical for implementing JIT manufacturing
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