Getting Rid of Part Marking Errors

[Al Rosen]

Hi Ninja,
the labels are looking something like this. They fit on cables both large and small. They make the labels to the customer drawing specifications and the parts vary greatly in any given day. So they guys changeover a lot and just make a new label every time they switch over.
ASSY7762234672A-2
ASSY 7762 2346 72A-2

Instead of changeover, pre-print labels in batches.

 

[Al Rosen]

Look into software solutions. There are quite a few out there
https://www.bradyid.com/en-us/family/cps-2176029
Wrap-N-Vu® Labels for Cables, Wires and Hoses | The Label Experts
Using Cable Label Tool | Brother

Contact the label and printer manufacturers for some help.

 

[Ninja]

Instead of changeover, pre-print labels in batches.

We tried that one...its a good idea...but it failed cold for us.
The preprinted batch of labels didn't get tossed when the lot ended...and leftovers got applied to things they shouldn't have.
Controlling the number at the time of application was all that worked for us.

That said...do you use that part number internally? Or do you call them "Cat-5 cable wide end male" and "Blue Coax female with splitter" and such.
Most of the software Al mentioned can be referenced one thing (that everyone knows every day) and then print the complex number.
We entered our internal part number, and the customer's part number printed on the label...
HTH

 

[outdoorsNW]

Can label creation eliminate as much typing as possible by linking to other computer systems?

 

[Mike S.]

Hi Ninja,
the labels are looking something like this. They fit on cables both large and small. They make the labels to the customer drawing specifications and the parts vary greatly in any given day. So they guys changeover a lot and just make a new label every time they switch over.
ASSY7762234672A-2
ASSY 7762 2346 72A-2

Definitely if it is possible space the numbers as Johnnymo suggested -- like a telephone number, no more than 4 digits consecutively.

It really depends on your needs. If the labels can be associated with simpler ID try that, i.e.

Widget ASSY 7762 2346 72A-2

Thing ASSY 7762 2346 82A-2

Hoochie ASSY 7762 2346 92A-2

Program the label maker once, make sure it is right, and initiate the label print based on the name not the long p/n.

Line up the new labels after printing with some known-good pre-printed gold-standard ones to try to do a "tin soldier" inspection.

Just look for as many error proofing things as you can.

 

[NDesouza]

We tried that one...its a good idea...but it failed cold for us.
The preprinted batch of labels didn't get tossed when the lot ended...and leftovers got applied to things they shouldn't have.
Controlling the number at the time of application was all that worked for us.

That said...do you use that part number internally? Or do you call them "Cat-5 cable wide end male" and "Blue Coax female with splitter" and such.
Most of the software Al mentioned can be referenced one thing (that everyone knows every day) and then print the complex number.
We entered our internal part number, and the customer's part number printed on the label...
HTH

Hi Ninja,
I have to go back to the site and look for

Look into software solutions. There are quite a few out there
https://www.bradyid.com/en-us/family/cps-2176029
Wrap-N-Vu® Labels for Cables, Wires and Hoses | The Label Experts
Using Cable Label Tool | Brother

Contact the label and printer manufacturers for some help.

Thanks

 

[Ninja]

FWIW, we had good success with BarTender (gave us the 1D and 2D barcodes as well).
Barcode & Labeling Software | BarTender by Seagull Scientific

Though I imagine labels for cables might be better served by Al's suggestions.

 

[NDesouza]

Thank you! Right now is a big challenge due to the COVID -19 protocols that this supplier has in place. The factory is considered essential so they are still running. However, on-site visits have been suspended. I really need to see how they are keying the data onto their labels and also how they are checking or proofing them. I wish there was a way to flag the labels so that if a label is missing a character or has a repeated character it would turn red during keying so that the label making person could catch it before they print them.

 

[Ninja]

You can call around the software suppliers from home-office and ask...it's a good idea.
I ended up designing the "permanent" solution in a database I programmed...I could have done that (check against knowns kind of thing).
It's certainly possible...just whether or not they've done it, or what it costs for customized...
FWIW, BarTender allows SQL queries to check on that kind of thing...I imagine some of the others do as well...but I only know mine and BT.

 

[NDesouza]

Thanks! I will do that