2 semi-automatic steps for the marking :

1. First marking
Each shell is marked with a 2D code before receiving DNA.

• Identification of each 96 well plate with a bar code
• Identification of the 96 vials by a unique laser-marked 2D Data Matrix code
• Datamatrix code checking
• Sending the 96 codes to the LIMS database and the bar codes of the rack

2. Second printing
Imagene offers to its customers the flexibility to customize the identifcation of the capsules with 10 alphanumeric characters.

• Once the capsules are capped, the rabot brings the racks back to the station
• Each rack is identified a second time through its bar code
• The Datamatrix codes are read again. The LIMS is asked for the alphanumeric data to be printed.
• The 96 capsules are marked
  o with the Datamatrix code (10 characters)
  o and with the customers characters (10 additional characters)

Laser marking of the capsules

The laser marks each shell with a permanent and unalterable Datamatrix code which is made of 10 alphanumeric characters

Rack Transfer

Reading

When the bar code is read, the rack is transfered to the reading station.

The readibility of the datamatrix codes is checked before the first marking. For the second marking, the 2D codes are read before and after the alphanumeric labelling to ensure traceability by the LIMS.

Laser marking

The laser marks 96 shells in only a few minutes.

High definition of the codes

• the 2mm*2mm Data Matrix code is made of 14 raws and 14 columns that generates the 10 alphanumeric characters. The first 3 characters are IMA.
• the content of the code is also marked around the datamatrix code
• another 10 alphanumeric characters are written in line of the Datamatrix code

Example of laser marking

Reading of the identification codes

Our codes can compatible with any reading device. Imagene has developed a convenient scanner to read both the racks marked by Imagene and the Datamatrix-marked plastic tubes racks commonly found in stores (48 or 96 tubes).