PHARMA CODE SPECIFICATIONS

Avda. Universitat Autnoma, 13 Parc Tecnolgic del Valls 08290 Cerdanyola del Valls. BARCELONA

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

PHARMA CODE SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS

A A B C D C 0.5 + 0.1 mm / - 0.2 mm 1.5 + 1 mm / - 0.1 mm 1 0.1 mm Minimum 6 mm

The dimension D is not really part of the specifications of the barcode, (the necessary measurements for the correct de-codification). However, taking into account the currently used barcode scanners, a height of 2 mm would be sufficient to realize the reading, but in automatic machines the level of rejection due to not performed reading would be very high as a result from mechanic tolerances of the machine itself. The currently recommended value of a minimum of 6 mm is considered adequate for most applications, but of course it can be higher or lower depending on the machine tolerances.

DESCRIPTION
The Pharma code can be decimally decoded using the following procedure: The number assigned to each code will be equal to the addition of the values of the bars that compose the code. The value assigned to each bar depends on the type (fine or thick) of the bar and its position in the code. POSITION 7 6 FINE BAR VALUE 128 64 THICK BAR VALUE 256 128
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5 32 64

4 16 32

3 8 16

2 4 8

1 2 4

0 1 2 2

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

EXAMPLE: POSITION 4 3 2 1 0

32 + 8 + 8 + 2 + 2 = 52 VALUE 32 8 8 2 2

In order to reach maximum reliability it is recommended not to use codes of less than three bars, as well as to use at least one fine bar and one thick one in each code .

READING DIRECTION
Depending on the direction in which the code is read, it can be decoded with two different results.
DECODING = 20

PHARMA READER

MOVEMENT DIRECTION OF THE CODE / LEAFLET

DECODING = 25

PHARMA READER

MOVEMENT DIRECTION OF THE CODE / LEAFLET

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

COLOUR
The following specifications are based on black printing on white background. Below you find one table with the colour combinations readable by the standard readers and another one with the colour combinations readable only by special readers. COLOURS READABLE ONLY WITH SPECIAL READERS Code Background Yellow White Orange White Red White Light brown White Red Verde Blue Verde Black Light green Black Dark green Gold White Black Gold Orange Gold Red Gold Red Blue Red Light brown Black Blue Black Dark brown

COLOURS READABLE WITH STANDARD READERS Code Background Black White Blue White Verde White Brown White Black Orange Blue Orange Verde Orange Dark brown Orange Black Yellow Blue Yellow Verde Yellow Dark brown Yellow Black Red Blue Red Verde Red Dark brown Red

The colour combination tables are intended to serve as an illustrative consultation tool. When in doubt regarding any colour combination, it is recommended to ask for advice and if necessary make colour trials in order to determine if there is enough contrast.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PRINTING OF BARCODES

If the bar codes have to be read during production, some rules should be taken into account that will facilitate the reading. Depending on the type of code, it shall be printed according to its technical specifications for the size of its modules, the resolution, and unprinted areas on both sides of the code.

120704

RC ELECTRNICA

CBR + 2K

CODE SPECIFICATIONS

The dimension D is not really part of the barcode specifications (the necessary measurements for the correct de-codification). However, taking into account the currently used barcode scanners, a height of 2 mm would be sufficient to realize the reading, but in automatic machines the level of rejection due to not realized reading could be very high as a result from mechanic tolerances of the machine itself. The currently recommended minimum value of 6mm is considered adequate for most applications, but of course it can be higher or lower depending on the machine tolerances.

D = Minimum recommended 6 mm.

The contrast of the bars with the background should be as good as possible, since the best results will always be achieved with a black code printed on white background. If this is not possible, you should always try to achieve the maximum possible contrast, avoiding those colours which cannot be read by scanners with red laser. On the next page you find an illustrative colour overview for your orientation. Besides the contrast, it is very important to avoid shine or reflection. For instance, although a black code on a metallic silver background has enough contrast, the background may produce undesired reflections. Reflecting backgrounds should be avoided, instead you should always print on matt backgrounds.

The above mentioned recommendations are of generic type and will always be related to the quality of the printing, the code size, the reading speed, the technical characteristics of the scanner, etc. In any case of doubt we recommend to print some samples and perform reading tests in real production conditions.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

ILLUSTRATIVE COLOUR TABLE

The following table shows the typical colour combinations that are accepted for red laser scanners ( 632 nm, 650 nm, 670 nm ).

If the colour of the barcode is brighter than that of the background ( inversely printed barcodes), it is not readable for standard scanners.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

PRINTING EXAMPLES (STANDARD PHARMA READERS)

LEAFLET READING IN FOLDER

A >15???????????????

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>15

Movement of leaflet B

It is recommended to print the code in the A positions to avoid possible transparencies. If the paper quality does not allow printing transparencies, the A and B positions can be used for printing in order to achieve more flexibility for the installation of the scanners and the positioning of the leaflet in the folding device. These specifications can vary depending on the characteristics of the folding device and the dimensions of the leaflet. If you have any doubt regarding the code position we recommend to ask for advice before carrying out any definitive printing.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

READING OF A FOLDED LEAFLET BY PHARMA AND LASER READERS

There must be a space of 6 mm without printing between the code and the leaflets border.

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There must be a space of 15 mm without printing between the code and the text.

Movement of leaflet

It is convenient to avoid the printing of text on the back side of the printed code in order to avoid any text shining through the paper. These specifications can vary depending on the direction of the movement of the leaflet. In case of any doubts regarding the code position we recommend to ask for advice before establishing the definitive printings.

120704

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

READING OF A PRE-FOLDED LEAFLET BY LASER READERS

There must be a space of 6 mm without printing between the code and the leaflets border.

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There must be a space of 6 mm without printing between the code and the text.

Movement of leaflet

The code must be completely visible at some moment for its reading, above mechanical obstacles. It is convenient to avoid the printing of text on the codes rear zone to prevent possible transparencies. If you have any doubts regarding the position of the code, we recommend to ask for advice before carrying out any definitive printing.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

CASE READING

There must be space of 6 mm without cuts nor prints before and behind the code.

LABEL READING

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There must be space of 5 mm without cuts nor prints before and behind the code.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

ALUMINIUM FOIL READING

FORMAT LENGTH On aluminium foil with position marks, the bar code should be printed in the center between the position marks. (A) On aluminium foil without position marks, two bar codes should be printed per format length. (B) The printing can be located on any of the borders of the film or in any other position where there is no printing interfering in the reading area. To guarantee a perfect reading, there must be the best possible contrast between the code and the aluminium. Coloured aluminium foil requires special attention.

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CODE SPECIFICATIONS

READING IN TUBE MACHINES For tube machines, there are two ways to read the code, either on the flat tube before folding, or during rotation in the orientation station. If the code is read on the flat tube, a laser reader can be used. If it is read during rotation, a standard optical reader should be used (M02, M04, etc.). The tube has to rotate twice. When the orientation mark is detected for the first time, the synchronism signal will be given to the reader and then the rotation continues. When the orientation mark is detected for the second time, rotation will stop. Due to the curvature of the tube, the pharma code can only be read in the orientation station with a laser reader if you respect the following design measures, in which the tolerances have been limited to the minimum required for successful reading.

32 23

23 18

19 14

16 12

11 9

These sizes are in millimetres. They are the result of tests with pharma code.

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RC ELECTRNICA

12