Cognex Corp. has introduced the DataMan 302 ID reader, which is designed specifically for solar traceability initiatives. The DataMan 302 features integrated, bank-controlled, blue illumination for reading 2-D barcodes on solar photovoltaic wafers.
According to the company, the high-resolution (1280 x 1024 pixels) image-based ID reader is ideal for decoding the challenging, laser-marked ECC-200 Data Matrix codes used on PV wafers that comply with the standard SEMI PV29-0212 standard, which was published in February.
‘The DataMan solar reader can be used to read Direct Part Mark codes on PV wafers or thin-film glass panels, making it the most versatile reader for the entire solar industry,’ says Carl Gerst, vice president and business unit manager of ID products at Cognex.
The unit's patented 2DMax+ algorithm can handle variations in code marking, codes with damaged Data Matrix clocking or timing patterns and codes degraded during the manufacturing process, Cognex notes.
