Applies to QESTLab, QEST Web App

Some guidelines and suggestions for selecting the type of barcode labels to be used for moisture content tests.

Overview

This article provides a discussion of the points to be considered when selecting barcode labels for moisture content tests.

While users are encouraged to do their own research to find suitable labels, and vendors, for their requirements, some suggestions have been provided.

Basic Requirements

A label must be:

Able to survive continuous exposure to 250 °F (120 °C) for a minimum 10 - 12 hrs
Able to survive multiple heating/cooling cycles between 250 °F (120 °C) and room temperature.
Robust and have sufficient abrasion resistance to remain scannable after repeated handling and re-use.
Washable,
As cheap as possible consistent with the above properties.

Label size

Terminology

Considerations

Label width should be less than the moisture content tin diameter - not more than one quarter of the circumference is suggested.

Label length should be at least about 0.5 in (10 - 12 mm) less than the height of the tin. The minimum length for a barcode label probably shouldn’t be less than about 0.5 in (10 - 12 mm).

Where moisture content tins of different sizes are used in a lab, to simplify things, it is probably best if all the labels are the same size, regardless of the tin size.

This implies that selection of the label size should be based on the smallest moisture content tin likely to be used.

Example

A typical small moisture content tin is about 2.0 to 2.2 in (50 - 55 mm) diameter and about 1.4 in (35 mm) high.

For this size moisture content tin, the label size should be about 1.50 - 1.75 in (40 - 45 mm) wide and 0.75 - 1.00 in (20 - 25 mm) long.

Based on available label sizes, any of the following seem appropriate:

1.50 x 1.00 in (40 x 25 mm)
1.50 x 0.75 in (40 x 20 mm)
1.50 x 0.5 in (40 x 12 mm)
1.25 x 0.875 in (30 x 22 mm)
1.25 x 0.75 in (30 x 20 mm)
1.25 x 0.5 in (30 x 12 mm)

Label Media

The labels should be made from a heat resistant and moisture resistant material with a matching adhesive.

A removeable adhesive would be desirable, if the labels will need replacing frequently.

Ease of removability is less important if the replacement frequency is low (once per year or less?).

Users will need to decide for themselves what the acceptable life-span for their labels is.

“Polyester is generally considered the best material for applications in temperatures
up to 300 °F (150 °C).” - Label-Aid Systems (US)

Printing

Barcode labels are available pre-printed or labs can print their own on blank labels, if preferred, and they have a suitable printer.

Heat resistant adhesive labels suitable for both laser printing and thermal-transfer printing are available.

Thermal-transfer printed labels are generally the preferred choice for high temperature conditions.

If using pre-printed labels, they should have sequential numbers or otherwise be unique.

Costs

Costs associated with using barcode labels:

Label Price
Printing cost (if not included in label price).
Installation cost
Removal and replacement costs
Configuration cost (should be the same for all labels)
Cost of scanning equipment

For comparison purposes between different labels, it might be best to work out an averaged cost per test.

Vendors

The following lists provide some contacts that may be useful.

There are many more possibilities.

USA

Australia

Other

Q&A - Some questions the vendor might ask, or want to know the answer to:

To which material are these labels being directly applied?
Metal, in the form of hollow cylindrical containers.
What is the temperature of the material during label application?
Normal room temperature.
In the case of the heating chamber, what is its atmospheric composition?
Normal air and water vapor.
Additionally, how quickly will the chamber reach its maximum temperature range?
Temperature will already be in the range 220 to 240 °F (105 to 115 °C). Containers will be at room temperature when placed inside.
How long will the material be exposed to the maximum temperature (220-240 °F/105-115 °C)?
Up to10 to 12 hours at a time - may be repeated on a daily basis.
Anything else?
Labels may have to be able withstand being washed by hand.

QEST Platform 5.7 Documentation

Selecting Barcode Labels for Moisture Content Tests

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