Bar code Specs.doc

Whirlpool Bar Code SpecificationsSample Bar Code LabelContact for AssistanceWHIRLPOOL ELECTRONIC COMMERCEPhone: 888-645-2500 option 5FAX: 616-923-3528Address: 150 Hilltop Road, MD 7515St. Joseph, MI 49085SpecificationsAIAG “Symbology 39” (AIAG ref is “B-3 02.00 12/90). 4” X 5” label. Information contained is: Part number Quantity Purchase Order number (optional) Serial number (lot number) of pallet/container Vendor (Whirlpool-assigned) identification Revision number (level) (of part)Comment: The Purchase Order field is not requiredQuestion: What “prefix codes” (data identifier) do I utilize on my bar code?Response: The following prefix codes (data identifiers) should be used: P = part number Q = quantity V = supplier S = serial number C = second part number (local) K = P/O # Z = Revision number (level) (of part)Question: Does Whirlpool require master labels or mixed load labels?Response: Skid labels may be required on full pallets with a single part at the discretion of the individual Whirlpool Division. The serial number on this label must agree with the ASN. If skid labels are used, labels are required on each container/package on the pallet but should not show on the ASN. Partial pallets or mixed pallets may, at the discretion of the individual Whirlpool Division, have each container labeled with skid labels for each part on the skid. If skid labels are used, the serial number must be on the ASN. If multiple skid labels are used, these may be inserted in the same plastic container used for the packing slip. Other Whirlpool Divisions may instead require box labels instead of skid labels. Suppliers should contact materials coordinators at those Whirlpool Divisions that receive shipments. . Mixed load labels are not used. The difference between a “master” label and a “skid” label is that the serial number is prefixed with an “S” on a “skid” label rather than an “M” (as a true “master” label would be). Whirlpool does not use nor allow master labels with the field prefix “M”. A Whirlpool skid label uses the “S” prefix for a serial number. The “S” serial number field matches the ASN lot number. The quantity is the total quantity of parts on the pallet. If a skid label is used, individual containers on the pallet must be labeled but serialized bar-code labels are not required. The container labels must not be such that they would be confused with the skid label. Whirlpool does not do container level receipt of containers packed (and labeled) as a pallet. In addition, labeled containers or packages on a pallet should contain a different serial number than that of the “skid” label. Note: This serial number may NOT BE REPEATED in one year!Question: Where do I place labels on a pallet and how many do I attach?Response: In most cases two labels are specified. Labels should be placed on the right-hand side of two adjacent sides. The bottom edge of the label should be parallel to the base of the package/container. To facilitate automated scanning of bar code symbols, the top edge of the label, where possible, should be 20 inches (508 mm) from the bottom of the container. Strapping and taping shall not obstruct the label. If the specific label cannot be affixed to the package/container because of container size or design, special arrangements should be made with the Whirlpool manufacturing division. Specifications are shown below for some other common shipping packs: Pallet container, plastic “KD”, wooden “KD” and returnable container: identical labels should be located on two adjacent sides, (wraparound label acceptable). (same as a pallet.see above) Basket, wire mesh container: identical labels should be located on two adjacent sides. Metal bin or tub: Tag one visible piece near top or use a label holder. Bundle: identical tags should be located at each end. Bag: place one label at the center of the face. Roll: hang one tag 2.0 inches (51 mm) from the end of the material. Rack: tag one visible piece near top or use a label holder. Drums, barrels, or cylindrical containers: identical labels should be located on the top and near the center of the side. Bales: identical labels should be located at the upper corner of an end and the adjacent side. (wrap around label acceptable.) Rail: Barcode should be sent via e-mail or FAX to receiving division.Question: What fields on my barcode must exactly agree with my ASN?Response: The Part Number field (prefix “P”) on the barcode matches the Part Number (LIN03; qualifier BP) on the ASN (Order level). Maximum length is 15 characters. The Quantity field (prefix “Q”) on the barcode matches the Units Shipped (SN102) on the ASN (Item level). Maximum length is 6 characters. The Supplier field (prefix “V”) on the barcode matches the Supplier Number (N104) on the ASN (Order level). Both MUST have leading zeros. Length must be 6 characters. The Revision Number field (prefix “Z”) on the barcode matches the Engineering Change Level (LIN05; qualifier EC) on the ASN (Order level). 3 characters is the maximum length. The Serial Number field (prefix “S”) on the barcode matches the Lot Number (REF02; qualifier LT) on the ASN (Item level). 15 characters is the maximum length. Important: This serial number may NOT BE REPEATED in one year! The Purchase Order field (prefix “K”), which is optional, matches the Purchase Order (PRF01) on the ASN (Order Level). Length must be 9 characters.NOTE: the bar codes must not have leading or trailing blanks nor a check digit. A sample bar code label is provided so you can check your bars with the sample.Question: What size are the actual bars?Response: The width of a narrow bar should be equal to the width of a narrow “white space”. Wide bars are a multiple of this size. All fields are 15 mils except serial number, which should be 20 mils.Question: What human readable data should appear on the bar code?Response: If space allows, a part description could be helpful for both supplier and Whirlpool. It provides a second cross reference (first is the part number). In addition, the prefix should be printed.Question: Can a “lot number” be utilized?Response: This is, of course, an optional field but is commonly used by many suppliers and might be both bar coded and human readable (if space allows).Question: The Whirlpool sample bar code is on an AIAG 4” X 6.5” label. Are we flexible on this requirement?Response: The AIAG 4” X 5” label could also be used.Question: How can I use the bar code to support my local requirements (specifically, my own internal part or lot number)?Response: Fields not specifically used by Whirlpool can be utilized with a “prefix” other than that used by Whirlpool. On a 4” X 6.5” label, space to the right of the label could be used effectively. Please do not place these fields on the left-hand side of the bar code.Question: Sometimes I may ship a pallet with the same part number but with multiple “rev levels”. What do I do?Response: Bar codes should represent the correct “rev” level. The ASN must be split as if multiple parts.Background:Code 39 is widely used in many industries and is the standard for many government barcode specifications, including the U.S. Department of Defense. The Code 39 character set includes the digits 0-9, the letters A-Z (upper case only), and the following symbols: space, minus (-), plus (+), period (.), dollar sign ($), slash (/), and percent (%). A special start/stop character is placed at the beginning and end of each barcode. Each character consists of 9 elements: 5 bars and 4 spaces. Each character includes 3 wide and 6 narrow elements. Characters are separated by an inter-character gap, which is the same width as a narrow bar. The ratio of wide:narrow bar width may be in the range of 2.2 to 3.0. Every Code 39 barcode should be preceded and followed by a quiet zone the width of at least 10 narrow bars. Not only is Code 39 one of the most popular barcodes outside the retail industry, it is one of the easiest to pick out in a line up. Heres how:1. Code 39 has very distinctive start and stop character patterns. Making it even easier is they are identical patterns.2. So look for a pattern of narrow bar - wide space - narrow bar on the left side of the symbol.3. Go to the right side of the symbol and look for a pattern starting from the outside moving in of narrow bar - narrow space - wide bar.4. If you registered a Yes to steps 2 and 3, now go to Step 5, if not, go to the note below.5. Counting in from both the right and left sides, 9 bars and spaces, draw an imaginary vertical line.6. Compare the patterns - Do they match? If so, it is Code 39. Question: What type of reflectivity, color and contrast do I make my bar code labels? Where can I find out more about bar codes?Response: Refer to AIAG manual “Shipping/Parts Identification Label Standard” (B-3 02.00 12/90). The AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group) is located at 26200 Lahser Road, Suite