Year
2017
Abstract
Throughout 2016, Oak Ridge National Laboratory investigated direct part marking techniquesand barcode readers that would be applicable for a new global UF6 cylinder identifier. Theperformance of several commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) barcode readers was evaluated byvarying the size of the barcode, read distance, read angle, surface finish of the material, andmarking technique. This study concluded with a recommendation for a 1.4 in. two-dimensional(2-D) Data Matrix barcode that would provide for multiple COTS hand-held barcode readers toread the barcode from an angle of up to 30° over the range of 10–100 cm, as desired by theWorld Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) working group on UF6 cylinder identification.This paper provides the rationale for the recommended layout for the global identifier andpotential approaches to modifying the 30B and 48Y cylinder nameplates if they included the 10-character global identification number displayed in both textual and 2-D barcode form. Testinghas determined that a 1.4 in. Data Matrix barcode would meet industry’s desires for a machinereadablefeature. If this 2-D barcode is included with a textual form of the global identificationnumber on the 5 in. wide 30B nameplate as suggested by the ANSI N14.1 2012 standard, the30B nameplate would need to be 2.75 in. longer. If these features were included on a 48Ynameplate, the nameplate would need to be 2.35 in. longer. The authors suggest using Arial fontbecause of its distinct, easy-to-read characters and wide use in direct part marking applications.Using the full width of the 30B and 48Y nameplate with a 0.25 in. margin would allow 44 ptArial font to be used, which can be read from about 35 ft. If a stand-alone global identifier isused, the authors suggest using a wider plate with 60 pt font, which can be read from about 48 ft.