BAR CODES

A bar code symbol is an identification technology that encodes information into parallel arrangements of varying width bars and spaces. The term 'symbology' is used to describe the rules that specify how the data is encoded into the bars and spaces. There are many bar code symbologies in use today. The UPC/EAN bar code is prevalent in the retail industry. Code 39 bar code (also known as 3 of 9 code) is widely used in non-retail applications. Interleaved 2 of 5 is popular in the distribution industry and Codabar bar codes are used by libraries, blood banks and air freight applications. Bar codes 93 and 128 were developed in an attempt to reduce the amount of space required for the bar code. Other bar code symbologies are being used for a variety of other applications and new bar code symbologies are being developed as advancements are made in scanning technologies.

Gaining popularity today is the 2D Data Matrix symbology. This relatively new system has been adopted by the Department of Defense for their Unique Identification (UID) program. In contrast to conventional bar codes, 2D Data Matrix expands data collection into the manufacturing, operations, repair and overhaul environments. It has found extensive use in automotive, aerospace, medical device, defense and electronics industries.

Willington Nameplate manufactures bar code plates and labels using all of the popular bar code symbologies.

	UPC/EAN		Interleaved 2 of 5
	UPC-A		Code 128
	UPC-E		Code 39
	EAN-13		Code 93
	EAN-8		2D Data Matrix

Willington Nameplate custom manufactures bar code plates and labels to meet specific customer applications. These are some of the materials we use: