Bespoke suits, bespoke cars now Leuze bring you bespoke barcode readers

Phil Black - PII Editor 13/11/2011

98 2 minutes read

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The modular design of Leuze electronic’s new barcode reader the BCL300i enables users to select the features that they value, giving a uniquely cost effective and flexible unit. The BCL300i also offers integrated fieldbus connectivity, barcode reconstruction and high-quality optics.

The compact, modular BCL300i barcode reader from Leuze electronic offers a unique combination of cost effectiveness and functionality. This is because the modular concept enables the customer to define the high specification unit to optimally match their application – A bespoke solution.

For example in a material handling application, its compact design means it can be placed close beside a conveyor, whilst the choice of four optional heated optics (High, Medium, Low and Ultra-Low-Density) with a large depth of field and large range of reading angles, guarantee reliable detection especially in difficult environments like wide conveyors.

The large number of options including line or raster scanning, fixed or oscillating mirror, combined with advanced features like code reconstruction technology (CRT) give exceptional read performance.

Code reconstruction technology which enables the reading of damaged or soiled codes by constructing a complete code from overlapping fragments was previously only available in the highly successful big brother the BCL500i as used by the warehouses of the UK’s best known high street shops.

The BCL300i continues Leuze electronic’s unique offer of fully integrating Profinet and Profibus into barcode readers. Whilst competitors offer integrated Profinet or Profibus ‘communication’, which is only a slight difference in words, in reality it means that only Leuze’s barcode readers can be configured by the PLC over the network. A scenario when this becomes a large difference is for example at 2am in the morning – Replacing a Profibus BCL300i just requires the swapping of the unit by undoing its M12 connectors. The replacement unit once connected will be configured automatically by the PLC across the Profibus network and start working. A barcode reader from a competitor, even if it is has integrated Profibus communications will sit there waiting for an engineer to program it. Therefore at commissioning and replacement the difference between ‘fully integrated’ and ‘integrated comms’ becomes substantial.

Interface options extend beyond Profibus and Profinet to include Ethernet, MultiNET, and RS232, RS422, & RS485, plus a choice between M12 plugs or terminals. Another important feature in common with the BCL500i is that as well as configuration across the fieldbus, configuration can also be done using the integrated webConfig software via USB or Ethernet. Because the software is built into the unit, there is no software to download, no special cables to use – These are benefits to the user at installation and during use, not to mention if there is a need to change something at 2am in the morning.

The modular concept of the BCL300i provides cost effective solutions that are optimised for the customer’s application, whilst high quality optics and advanced features offer convenient and reliable bar code identification.

In summary the bespoke solutions offered by the BCL300i, like a bespoke specialist car offer power without compromise.

Leuze electronic Ltd

Sensor House
Phoenix Park
St. Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8EP
Phone 01480 408 500
Fax 01480 403 808
mark.weymouth@leuze.co.uk
Please visit our website www.leuze.co.uk