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DataMatrix code (DMC)

Smart product labeling for demanding environments

Efficient, precise, fail-safe - Data Matrix Codes (DMC) offer compact identification, even under extreme conditions. In combination with RFID, a smart solution for contactless detection and maximum process reliability is created - perfect for industry and logistics.

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What is a DataMatrix code and how does it work?

A DataMatrix code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in the form of a binary matrix of black and white square modules. Depending on the coding mode, alphanumeric, numeric or binary data can be stored.    

  • Developed in the 1980s
  • Supports up to 3,116 numeric characters
  • Reed-Solomon error correction: up to 30 % of the data can be reconstructed

Why this is important:

In industrial environments, codes are often exposed to dirt, heat or abrasion - DMCs still deliver reliably readable information.

DMC vs. QR codes vs. linear barcodes - a direct comparison

 

DataMatrix codes

QR Codes

Linear barcodes

Structure

Up to 3,116 numeric or 2,335 alphanumeric characters

Up to 7,089 numeric or 4,296 alphanumeric characters

very limited, typically only numerical data

Size

Very compact, ideal for small surfaces such as electronic components

larger than DataMatrix codes, but stores more data

require a wide area

Fault tolerance

High (up to 30% damage) and low contrast requirement (20%)

Between 7% and 30%, depending on the amount of data stored

Low, require high contrast

Application

Frequently used in industry, e.g. for marking medical devices and electronic components

Widely used in marketing, for mobile payments and in product packaging, maintenance processes via app recording

Frequently used in retail and logistics for simple product labeling

Areas of application for DataMatrix codes

[Translate to English:] Pharmaindustrie
Pharmaceutical industry

Labeling of medication packaging for counterfeit protection and traceability - essential for legal regulations and patient safety.

[Translate to English:] Icon Medizin
Medical technology

Marking of medical devices to document sterilization cycles - essential for hygiene and safety standards.

[Translate to English:] Icon Automobilindustrie
Automotive industry

Marking of parts and components for seamless traceability in production and after-sales service - supports quality control and product recalls.

[Translate to English:] Icon Elektronikindustrie
Electronics industry

Marking of printed circuit boards and electronic components for quality assurance and fault analysis - important for industry standards.

[Translate to English:] Icon Lebensmittelindustrie
Food industry

Imprinting of production date, expiration date and batch number to comply with safety standards.

[Translate to English:] Icon Luftfahrt
Aerospace

Marking of components and materials for quality assurance - crucial for safety and reliability.

Implementation of DMC in production lines

More precision and less downtime - thanks to smart automation

Seamless traceability:

  • Product history monitoring - every product can be accurately tracked.

  • Effective recall management - affected batches can be specifically identified.

  • Support for quality inspections - data can be read and analyzed in real time.

[Translate to English:] Produktion Medikamente

 

Practical example: In the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturers have to prove when and where a medicine was produced. Recording DMCs at every stage of production makes this traceability much easier.

Omnidirectional scanning - for maximum speed

A key advantage of DataMatrix codes is that they can be read from any angle using omnidirectional scanners. This enables faster and more reliable detection in production environments where objects are not always ideally aligned.

  • Reduced susceptibility to errors - less reliance on exact positioning.
    Higher production speed - scanners can capture codes without manual adjustment.
[Translate to English:] Verpackungslinie

 

Practical example: In a packaging line, a scanner automatically recognizes the codes on passing products, regardless of how they are rotated, and reports them to our GRAIDWARE middleware. This automatically transfers the data to the ERP system using an interface.

 

Cost savings through process automation:

  • Less material required - no additional labels or large-area markings necessary.
  • Optimized production processes - machines can retrieve and process data automatically.
  • More efficient warehouse management - products are registered automatically.
[Translate to English:] Lebensmittel Verpackung

 

Practical example: In food production, DMCs are applied directly to packaging, saving labels and reducing production costs.

Combination of DMC with RFID technology

Why both can do more together

Icon Ausfallsicherheit

Reliability Two technologies - a powerful duo: if one fails, the other takes over. This guarantees reliability under difficult conditions.

- If a DataMatrix code is damaged or unreadable - for example due to wear and tear, dirt or poor print quality - RFID technology can serve as a backup.
- Conversely, a DMC can serve as a fallback if an RFID tag cannot be read, for example due to strong electromagnetic interference or inadequate readers in certain environments.

Extreme environments Whether at high temperatures or in metal-rich environments - DMC and RFID complement each other perfectly where one technology reaches its limits.

- RFID tags fail in high-temperature processes because chips and antennas are sensitive to heat. DMC remains reliable as a laser engraving even in extreme heat.
- In metal-rich environments, reflections interfere with RFID detection. DMC works reliably here as an alternative.
Icon Infos

Extended data storage DMC for compact, permanent information - RFID for flexible data that can be changed at any time.

- DMC stores a lot of information in a space-saving way - ideal for labels and direct marking.
- RFID allows flexible updating of data without the need to change the code, e.g. for stock levels or product movements.
Icon Sicherheit

Greater security The combination of DMC and RFID protects against tampering and ensures data integrity - ideal for sensitive industries such as pharmaceuticals or aviation.

- The combination of both technologies can prevent tampering: a DataMatrix code can serve as a security measure to verify that the information on the RFID tag is correct and unchanged.
- This can ensure the integrity of the data, particularly in safety-critical areas such as the pharmaceutical industry or aviation.

Success story: Seamless traceability and uncompromising quality of safety-relevant components

When it comes to safety-relevant components, there can be no compromises - neither in terms of quality nor traceability. Our customer from the manufacturing industry faces precisely this challenge: each component goes through several precisely defined process steps in which the highest standards must be met. And each of these steps must be fully documented.

The solution: Continuous identification & control from the first to the last production step
Annealing and forming

On leaving the annealing and forming line, each component is given a serial number and labeled for complete identification. Continuous quality control ensures that all components meet the required standards and are processed correctly.

Oven treatment

Hot forming is followed by furnace treatment. This is crucial for mechanical properties such as strength and elasticity. Every minute counts: the components must be treated within a precisely specified time window in order to achieve the desired material properties.

Storage

After production, the parts are stored in specially equipped containers fitted with robust UHF RFID transponders. This allows the stored parts to be assigned to a specific batch and reliably identified and tracked throughout the rest of the production process and during transportation between workstations.

How does everything remain transparent and traceable - despite high temperatures?

The answer: every work step is digitally documented. A Data Matrix Code (DMC), applied directly to the component by laser, stores all relevant production data - including the time stamp of the heat treatment. This code contains all relevant information on the process steps that have been completed, including compliance with the specified time requirements for the oven treatment. Conventional labels? Unthinkable at temperatures that would simply destroy other labels.

The result: maximum process reliability, complete traceability - and increased trust among customers and partners.

Talk to us!

We will be happy to present solutions for your industry and your processes. Talk to the specialists for SMEs.

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Contact person
Viktor Wagner
Viktor WagnerManaging Director

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