Bar code label printing from Slc 5/05

[zedder]

Does anyone have experience printing a variety of barcode labels from a slc 500 series plc ? Portions of the label would be common, part numbers and bar codes would differ.
Most articles I have read require developing the label, converting it to ascii and sending the ascii file from the plc. I am looking for tips or suggestions on printer type, label software and interface.

 

[klyster]

Hi...
The only dealings i have had with barcodes was with a Siemens S5 plc, we used a Zebra industrial printer and Bar-one software. ( You may also look at a Markem printer )..Sorry can't be much more help than that i'm afraid

 

[ADMIRALKEN]

We use a SLC for bar code labels. However the only thing coming from the SLC is the weight, we use a label printing program running on a PC with one serial cable running to the printer and another going to the SLC for data capture.
I've never encountered a print operation that didn't use a label software package.

 

[zedder]

I have found out using a borrowed Brady label printer made by Datamax (model E4303) and codesoft software that by printing the label to a file, generates the ascii text I need for the PLC. The problem now is, any graphic symbol ie. lines, boxes etc. generates huge amounts of ascii text. The example label I created was not even close to being complete and it was 5 pages of text. This is too much to try to store into a plc file. Their tech experts are recommending a memory expansion card to hold the outline of the label and only transmitting the variables such as part number text and barcode. Any comments?

 

[boonwd]

several years ago, i had an application like this. my solution was to generate the label ascii string in two segments (no graphics) seperating the default label data (titles, headers, lines, etc.) from the variable label data, then using vb and activex controls to parse the string into 82 char lengths and write them to string files in the plc.

i would then transmit (awt) the default label data only once on power-up then transmit the variable strings as required.
you can encode all the print commands straight into the strings.

you can use indirect addressing to write a "print engine" in the plc to send the strings to the printer in 82 char "lumps" until you reach the end of your message.

it does use a lot of memory, so it may or may not fit your need...

 

[jonesy29847]

I've used a BASIC module, the code is fairly simple and can be written to handle just about anything a printer might want.