Automated Barcode Scanning for Production, Warehousing & Material Handling
IBC fixed mount scanning solutions provide automated, hands-free barcode data collection for manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, logistics, and other high-volume environments. By mounting scanners at a fixed location, products, packages, pallets, parts, and materials can be automatically identified as they move through a defined process.
Instead of relying on an employee to stop, pick up a scanner, find the barcode, and manually capture the information, fixed mount scanning can make barcode capture part of the workflow itself.
IBC designs fixed mount scanning solutions around your application, combining industrial scanners, cameras, lighting, mounting hardware, software, controls, and integration to create a reliable automated identification system.
What Is Fixed Mount Scanning?
Fixed mount scanners are stationary barcode scanners positioned at a specific point in a production or material-handling process.
As an item passes the scanner, its barcode can be automatically captured and sent to the appropriate software or control system.
Fixed scanning can be used for:
- Production tracking
- Work-in-progress tracking
- Inventory movement
- Conveyor scanning
- Pallet identification
- Case tracking
- Sorting
- Shipping verification
- Receiving
- Label verification
- Automated routing
- Traceability
Industrial fixed scanners are specifically designed to automate track-and-trace applications from production through distribution. Zebra Technologies
Automate the Scan — Not the Worker
A handheld scanner works well when an operator needs to identify different items in different locations.
But when the same scanning process happens hundreds or thousands of times per day at the same point, automation can make considerably more sense.
Fixed mount scanning allows the scanner to remain in position while products move through the process.
Product Moves → Barcode Is Detected → Data Is Captured → System Is Updated → Product Continues
This can reduce manual scanning, improve consistency, increase throughput, and provide more immediate visibility into the movement of products and materials.
Fixed Mount Scanning Applications
Conveyor Scanning
Automatically capture barcodes as products, cases, cartons, or other materials move along a conveyor.
Fixed scanners can be positioned above, beside, or around a conveyor depending on barcode location and scanning requirements.
Scan Tunnels
Multiple scanners can be combined around a conveyor to capture barcodes from different sides of a package or product.
This is particularly useful when the barcode orientation is not controlled.
Production Line Tracking
Automatically identify products as they move between production stages.
This can provide real-time work-in-progress information while creating a digital record of production movement.
Pallet Scanning
Fixed scanning systems can capture pallet identification as pallets move through production, warehousing, or shipping areas.
Dock Door Scanning
Scanning at receiving and shipping locations can help automatically identify products, cases, pallets, or loads as they enter or leave a facility.
Sortation
Fixed scanners can read an item’s identification and communicate with the appropriate automation or control system to help direct the item to its destination.
Label Verification
Fixed scanners can verify that the correct barcode is present and readable before a product continues through the process.
Planer & Sawmill Tracking
Fixed scanning is particularly valuable in wood products environments where bundles, lumber, and finished products move through defined production stages.
IBC can design systems to automatically identify products at locations such as:
- Green chain
- Kiln entry
- Kiln exit
- Planer infeed
- Planer outfeed
- Sorting
- Packaging
- Finished goods
- Shipping
More Than a Scanner
A successful fixed scanning installation involves more than choosing a scanner and mounting it to a piece of equipment.
IBC evaluates the complete application, including:
- Barcode type
- Barcode size
- Barcode location
- Scanning distance
- Product speed
- Product orientation
- Conveyor speed
- Lighting conditions
- Reflective surfaces
- Environmental conditions
- Required read rate
- Network connectivity
- PLC and controls
- ERP or WMS integration
- Required data
This allows us to select and configure the appropriate scanning technology for the application rather than simply supplying a scanner.
Industrial Fixed Scanners
IBC supplies fixed-mount and fixed industrial scanning technologies from leading manufacturers.
These systems can range from compact fixed scanners for straightforward applications to high-performance industrial scanners designed for demanding automated production and logistics environments.
Modern industrial fixed scanners can support 1D, 2D, direct-part-marked codes, and—in certain configurations—OCR and machine-vision applications.
Common Technologies
- Fixed-mount barcode scanners
- Fixed industrial scanners
- 1D scanners
- 2D imagers
- DPM scanning
- OCR
- Machine vision
- Multi-camera scanning
- Scan tunnels
- Long-range scanning
- High-speed scanning
Fixed Mount Scanning & Machine Vision
Not every application is simply a barcode-reading problem.
Some applications require the system to determine what the product is, whether the correct label is present, whether information is readable, or whether a product meets a defined condition.
For these applications, IBC can incorporate machine vision alongside fixed scanning.
Potential applications include:
- Barcode verification
- Label inspection
- OCR
- Character verification
- Product inspection
- Presence/absence detection
- Dimension checking
- Packaging verification
- Multi-code reading
Modern fixed industrial scanning platforms can combine barcode reading with machine vision capabilities, creating a path from simple track-and-trace applications to more advanced inspection and automation.
Connect Scanning to Your Existing Systems
Capturing the barcode is only the first step.
IBC can connect fixed scanning systems to the software and automation already running your operation.
Solutions can integrate with:
- ERP systems
- WMS systems
- MES systems
- MRP systems
- CMMS systems
- SCADA
- PLCs
- Manufacturing software
- Inventory systems
- Custom applications
Barcode data can be used to automatically trigger inventory transactions, production updates, routing decisions, verification processes, and other business or manufacturing workflows.
Fixed Scanning for Traceability
Fixed mount scanning is an important building block for real-time traceability.
A product can be identified automatically at multiple points throughout its journey:
Raw Material → Production → WIP → Inspection → Finished Product → Warehouse → Shipping
Each scan creates another data point that can be connected to the product’s digital record.
This can provide organizations with greater visibility into where products are, where they have been, and what happened to them along the way.
Why Choose IBC for Fixed Mount Scanning?
Application-Focused Design
We design the scanning solution around your process rather than simply selling a scanner.
Hardware & Software Integration
IBC can connect scanning equipment to ERP, WMS, MES, MRP, SCADA, PLC, and custom software environments.
Automation Expertise
Fixed scanning can be incorporated into conveyors, sortation systems, production lines, packaging equipment, and other automated processes.
Multiple Technologies
We can evaluate fixed barcode scanning, RFID, machine vision, OCR, and other identification technologies to determine which is appropriate.
Complete Implementation
IBC can provide equipment, mounting, configuration, programming, installation, training, service, and ongoing support.
Scalable Solutions
Start with one automated scanning point and expand to multiple production lines, facilities, or locations as your requirements grow.
Industries & Applications
IBC fixed mount scanning solutions can be used across a wide range of industries, including:
- Manufacturing
- Wood products
- Sawmills
- Mass timber
- Food processing
- Beverage production
- Fresh produce
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Pharmaceutical
- Warehousing
- Distribution
- Transportation
- Retail
- Packaging
- Logistics
Build a Fixed Mount Scanning Solution
Whether you need to automatically scan lumber bundles at a planer, verify labels on a production line, capture cases moving through a warehouse, or build a multi-scanner tunnel for automated sortation, IBC can design the system around your requirements.
Don’t just automate the scan. Automate the information flow that follows it.
Talk to IBC About Fixed Mount Scanning
