Ask the Expert!

This week we're asking Mike Drolet, Industry Development Manager - Logistics... With critical timing in mind, how do you decentralize a vision-based barcode identification system?

First, a disclaimer: I am not an expert on barcode reading specifically. If you have questions about barcode reader capabilities, please ask the manufacturers of those devices.

It’s a bit of a paradigm shift, but we recently released an IP67 Xelity Hybrid Switch, which incorporates a managed Ethernet network on half of the ports and 24V, NEC Class 2 Power on the other half of the ports. Many barcode readers need both connections and for them to come through separate cables. With both functions on board, each Hybrid Switch can accommodate the needs of, up to, 4 readers. Then, Hybrid Switches can be daisy chained together through higher bandwidth network and higher power trunk lines. In the end, you can consolidate what needs to be wired back to a panel. If you also move to IP67 Power Supplies & add a few of our accessory modules, you can practically eliminate the panel altogether. Just kidding… until the controller manufacturers make use of IP67 housings, there will always be a panel.