Mission-Critical Printer Seamlessly Prints and Encodes RFID 'Smart Labels'
VERNON HILLS, Ill., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Zebra Technologies Corporation
(Nasdaq: ZBRA), the worldwide leader in bar code printing, today announced
that it will release its first RFID (radio frequency identification)
printer/encoder. The R-140(TM) is capable of printing and encoding "smart
labels" -- printable labels embedded with ultra-thin 13.56 MHz RFID
transponders -- in a single pass.
The R-140 features the same rugged construction and standard features as
the 140XiII(TM), Zebra's best selling Performance Line(TM) printer, enabling
it to perform in a variety of mission-critical applications, including those
with 24-hour duty cycles. The similarity to the 140XiII also enables
experienced Performance Line users to operate the printer and encode RFID
smart labels with little or no additional training.
"During the past year, our strategically placed beta-test models have
triggered extremely enthusiastic and positive feedback, reinforcing our
decision to offer the R-140 printer/encoder to the public," said Zebra's vice
president of technology Clive Hohberger. "Working closely with several major
strategic partners, we are taking the industry lead in developing
printer/encoder technology that enables our customers to achieve the improved
efficiency and versatility that smart labels can deliver."
Smart labels offer several benefits over traditional, static, bar code
labels in applications where scanning and reading efficiencies are valued and
where it is not possible to achieve line of sight between the labels and the
scanner. Additionally, RFID technology permits the scanning of transponder
data through containers and packaging. Also unlike a static bar code label,
users can alter the data in an RFID transponder any time during the label's
life. For example, during sorting, users can redirect a package or pallet, on
the fly, by locating and changing the data in the attached RFID transponder.
Like the 140XiII, the R-140 can print and encode labels up to 5.1 inches
(140 mm) wide and up to 30.0 inches (762 mm) long with its one megabyte of
standard RAM. A PC memory card interface and expanded memory options are also
available to allow storage of complete label formats, graphic files and
multiple international character fonts. The printer comes pre-loaded with
more than 25 one- and two-dimensional bar code symbologies including PDF-417,
MaxiCode and QR Code.
"To accelerate acceptance of the new technology, it was essential to
create a printer/encoder that functioned in a manner nearly identical to
traditional bar code label printers," describes Hohberger. "The R-140 enables
current or prospective users of traditional bar coding technology to easily
incorporate smart labeling into their systems without sacrificing printing
capabilities or performance. In our demonstrations, the printer/encoder
functioned almost too seamlessly, as several onlookers were unaware that the
printer/encoder had encoded the transponder -- until we read out the
transponder data."
The R-140 includes several features that make smart label encoding as easy
as traditional bar code labeling. Zebra has created RFID extensions to its
own ZPL II(R) programming language, allowing users to format the transponder
data just as they would the data for a bar code label. Additionally, the
printer/encoder writes and verifies the encoded information prior to printing
to ensure that the label can be voided in the rare occurrence that the
transponder malfunctions.
The R-140 is available through Zebra's worldwide network of value added
resellers. It will be demonstrated at SCANTECH '99, Rosemont (Chicago), Ill.,
U.S.A., October 5-7, 1999; TAG Asia '99, Singapore, October 19-20, 1999; and
at Scan-Tech Expo Europe, Cologne, Germany, November 16-18, 1999.
Zebra Technologies Corporation manufactures and distributes Zebra- and
Eltron-brand on-demand bar code label printers, secure ID printing systems and
plastic card printers used in automatic identification and plastic card
personalization applications worldwide. The company also offers software and
related supplies, including more than 300 label and ribbon combinations.
Zebra's customers include more than 70 percent of the FORTUNE 500. The
company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol ZBRA.
Information about Zebra products can be found at http://www.zebra.com .
SOURCE Zebra Technologies Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.zebra.com
CONTACT:
Media, Tracy L. Shryer, 847-792-6725, or
E-mail, tshryer@zebra.com, or Financial, Douglas A. Fox,
847-792-6735, or E-mail, dfox@zebra.com, both of Zebra
Technologies Corporation
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