PPT Vision announces its 8.5 release of Impact software, which reads three times more barcodes than the previous version, providing an ideal solution for a wide range of machine vision applications.

"Not only does Impact read 17 different standard barcode types, but this decoded information can be combined with OCR (optical character recognition) and detailed inspection routines," said Sean O'Driscoll, Executive Vice President of PPT Vision. "The expansion of the breadth of barcodes decoded and overall 1D and 2D barcode reading performance enhancement makes the software and smart camera family an even more powerful option for automated inspection and traceability processes." O'Driscoll adds, "These devices save resources and improve quality in many industries; particularly food and beverage and pharmaceutical."

The software reads ECC 200 DataMatrix 2D barcodes in addition to these 16 standard 1D barcodes: UPC-A, EAN-13, Code 128, Code 39 Full ASCII, GS1 Databar Omnidirectional (RSS), Pharmacode, UPC-E, JAN-8, GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), Interleaved 2 of 5, GS1 Databar Limited (RSS), EAN-8, JAN-13, Code 39, Codabar, GS1 Databar Expanded (RSS).

The 2D and 1D barcode readers are part of a palette of over 120 tools in Impact's VPM (Vision Program Manager) inspection builder software. This icon-driven software allows any model Impact smart camera to be configured for a custom inspection with no knowledge of programming language text - e.g. C++ or .NET. The software suite also includes CPM (Control Panel Manger), customizable HMI (Human Machine Interface) control software. CPM can easily be configured to prominently display decoded information from 2D and 1D barcode and OCR reader tools.

Impact smart cameras can output decoded data from Barcodes and OCR through either its Serial or Ethernet port. Ethernet data can be configured to populate standard Ethernet I/P or Modbus I/P registers or embedded into custom Windows machine or plant environments using IMPACT's ActiveX control.

The full software suite is programmed identically on all 21 Impact Intelligent Camera models. The smart cameras are available in self-contained A-Series and T-Series smart cameras or in tethered-camera C-Series models with the highest performance, most flexibility and most outputs. From standard VGA resolution up to mega pixel 1600 x 1200 in both grayscale and color, Impact smart cameras offer the optimal inspection performance at a competitive price point.