AutoID at the LogiMAT trade fair in Stuttgart

Product novelties in the field of automatic identification

Modern technologies, AutoID (automatic product identification) solutions, Industry 4.0 are undergoing rapid transformation. That’s why our experts keep track of trends in the industry and are present at every major trade fair event. Thanks to direct contacts and a wide range of trade fairs we can better keep our hand on the pulse. Thus, we react faster to changing market trends.
The schedule of trade fairs is changing dynamically. However, we choose the ones that will allow us to fully follow the current trends in the industry.

An excellent example is the LogiMAT fair of innovative logistics held in Stuttgart. 1655 exhibitors from 45 countries, 10 full exhibition halls and the overcrowded visitors – this is real proof that talking face to face, seeing a product live and the possibility of touching it, testing it is still of great importance.

This year’s exhibitors were divided into several thematic sections:

• materials handling and storage technology,
• warehousing and operational equipment,
• system provider,
• hall and marquee construction,
• AGV,
• fire protection and security,
• loading technologies and systems,
• ground conveyors,
• batteries, battery management,
• storage and transport management software,
• packaging, packaging materials and machinery,
• labeling and printing,
• Identification – RFID/AUTO-ID

What trends do experts expect for the future?

It is definitely automation of processes. Various technologies and ideas for automated shelving aroused the greatest interest among visitors. AGV trolleys are the present.
More and more companies (especially in the manufacturing sector) decide to implement this solution. A lot of novelties are also among the automatic identification equipment.

Colour label printers – TROJAN, QuickLabel

At the AstroNova stand, the manufacturer presented a completely new QL-300 colour label printer. It is the world’s first five-colour toner-based desktop printer.

The ability to print in CMYK+White palette opens up a wide range of branding possibilities for the user. The design of the printer allows the use of labels with widths from 1.0”’ to 5.0” and work in roll-to-cut or roll-to-roll mode with the use of an additional external winder.

Printronix AutoID and TSC AutoID industrial printers

One of the world’s largest manufacturers of label printers, TSC Auto ID, presented novelties mainly in the segment of high-performance and high-precision industrial printers.
Special attention was paid to the PEX-1000 printing module.

Robust die-cast construction, designed with many years of reliable continuous operation in mind. Dimensions of the device are compatible with solutions popular on the market, which simplifies its integration into existing installations. Right or left-handed version, resolution of 203dpi, 300dpi or 600dpi and numerous communication interfaces will surely make the user find the right configuration to his expectations.

For users looking for a small, compact printer with a precise printing mechanism, the manufacturer has prepared a new ML240 series.

With a height of only 245 mm, the device can be placed in a limited working space. The colour LCD display and 6 function keys make it easy to set up the printer.

Printronix AutoID

Printronix Auto ID presented another RFID-enabled printer model. This proves the growing interest and demand for RFID-based systems on the market. The T800 hides the functionality of industrial printers in a compact, desktop form.
The T800 is the first Printronix desktop printer to use the PSA (Printronix System Architecture) architecture to enable the use of all printer management tools to ease the day-to-day workflow.

Honeywell – new label printers, new data terminal

The greatest interest at Honeywell’s stand was aroused by the new label printer PX940. A queue of people waiting to see the device and talk to the product manager raised even greater hopes for functionality. And it was worth waiting. The specification is impressive. The printer will make its debut at the beginning of the second quarter and will have a peeler and an internal rewinder as standard. As announced, the peeler will be able to work with labels from 6 mm in length. The most impressive, however, was the code verifier, which does not stand out from the outline of the printer. This is the only solution of this type on the market, so we should wait impatiently for official information about the technical specifications.
In the second half of the year, the manufacturer also announces the refreshment of PX4i and PX6i series printers. These mechanically perfect devices will receive a new operator panel with a larger, easy-to-read display.

In the category of mobile data terminals, the manufacturer emphasises the promotion of a unified hardware and software platform Mobility EdgeTM. Only this solution guarantees the user support for Android R. On this basis, Honeywell builds new mobile devices, such as the budget Dolphin CT40, or the flagship model CN80. The CK3X / CK3R terminals are expected to be removed from the offer in the near future and replaced with a new CK65 model. For the time being, technical specifications are not yet available.

Newland – acquisition of Speedata

A lot of novelties at the Newland stand. This Chinese manufacturer of budget barcode readers and data terminals will expand its offer with Speedata devices in the near future. This is due to the acquisition of Speedata. As a result, industrial tablets and RFID terminals will appear in Newland’s offer.

More about market trends, world premieres, new products and services for efficient and effective intralogistics – in the next article.

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