BY ALT Technologies | 24th March 2021
ALT Technologies is taking another successful step forward: implementing unique and sequential barcodes on airbag wrapper products, ensuring high readability requirements are met as set by the current market standards.
At ALT Technologies, we’ve always believed that our teams’ innovation lies in our flexible and pro-active approach to come up with solutions that meet our customer’s requirements, and we’re proud to highlight this achievement here.
This new request reflects the automotive industry’s growing commitment to end-to-end traceability and automation. While ALT already produces in serial labels for customers, this new requirement goes one step further, by demanding a unique barcode for one or multiple positions on each part, enhancing both assembly verification and lifecycle traceability.
Until now, many barcode systems have been used primarily for assembly checks, confirming, for instance, that an airbag module has been correctly installed. This new approach combines the same functionality with full traceability, from production through to final vehicle assembly.
Each barcode will encode an array of characters, including serial number, production date, position data, and supplier information. Once in place, these labels will serve as digital fingerprints, ensuring that every wrapper can be tracked, scanned, and authenticated at every stage.
This move supports our customers’ broader strategy to automate quality checks, streamline operations, and strengthen quality control through a fast, semi-automated process. By treating the airbag wrapper as the main traceability object, and applying the barcode directly to it, customers can easily use this information throughout the entire supply chain. With camera scanners capable of reading barcodes from several metres away, manufacturers gain immediate access to part data, increasing both efficiency and accuracy across production.
Meeting our customer’s high readability standards is not without its challenges. Unlike flat surfaces, non-woven wrapper materials make barcode printing and scanning more complex. To meet these expectations, we already have materials in development in our ALT China facility and an established process in ALT MX. ALT is developing new printing technology and machine systems purpose-built for precision printing on non-flat substrates.
The result will be a robust solution capable of delivering variable DMC code, compliant with current market requirements. These developments also position ALT to support future customer requests.
This RFID solution significantly benefits OEMs and customers by streamlining logistics and saving time. Combining the RFID tag with a traceability label simplifies compliance and tracking throughout the supply chain. Unlike off-the-shelf RFID tags, this solution ensures compliance with OEM label specifications from the outset, avoiding potential delays in the pre-serial process.
By consolidating RFID and traceability labels into one, assembly prices are reduced, and quality risks are minimised. This versatile solution can be applied to other metal components with vehicle cables, offering further optimisation possibilities.
We can also tailor solutions to under-the-hood specifications, leveraging ALT’s expertise in harsh environment durability. Designed for automated dispensing and application, these solutions ensure seamless integration into your manufacturing processes.
Barcode traceability not only combats counterfeiting, but it also improves supply chain transparency and reduces rework and waste. Each scan provides a real-time snapshot of the product’s journey, enabling faster quality feedback loops and ensuring that every component meets the highest safety standards.
As this technology evolves, ALT’s Quality team will integrate specialised equipment to read and grade codes, guaranteeing consistent performance and compliance. This initiative will also feature in upcoming internal training sessions to align our teams with the latest traceability standards.
OEMs worldwide are moving toward individualised barcode systems, and ALT is at the forefront. Our in-house experience printing on challenging materials proves that we can deliver accuracy, speed, and compliance across continents.
By developing next-generation barcode printing technology, we’re ensuring that ALT remains not just a supplier, but a trusted partner in the future of traceable and transparent automotive manufacturing.
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