Markem-Imaje and Cognex develop advanced 'Mark & Read' technology

Markem-Imaje and Cognex are collaborating to develop the next generation of Mark & Read applications for global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies.

Products with incorrect, unreadable or missing codes make traceability difficult, if not impossible, during recall situations and retailers may fine manufacturers or reject them.

Since 2015, the companies have worked together on their automated Cognex camera and Markem-Imaje printer verification solution, Mark & Read, to help companies ensure the accuracy of coding on their packages, reduce unnecessary waste and ensure non-coding-related recalls run more smoothly.

Deepening their existing partnership, both companies’ research and development and commercial teams will be working to integrate their printing and reading solutions, collaborating at regional and global levels on opportunities and projects in the packaging market.

By working together earlier in the engineering design process, they aim to provide even quicker and more accurate code verification, and deliver a more intuitive user experience from set-up through to full production for manufacturers.

“We are excited to combine our Mark & Read solution and proven Cognex’s vision solution,” said Vincent Vanderpoel, CEO of Markem-Imaje. “This combination will allow us to capitalise on our major customer references, helping them minimise rework due to missing or unreadable text and barcodes, reducing waste from using incorrect data in printed messages and avoiding scrapped product due to incorrect packaging materials being used on the production line.”

“Together with Markem-Imaje, we are building new capabilities to improve new global standards for printing product quality, eliminating production errors, lowering manufacturing costs and exceeding consumer expectations for high-quality products,” said Robert Willett, CEO of Cognex Corporation.

The new generation of Mark & Read solutions is expected to be available by the end of 2018, with a range of additional improvements available in 2019.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/KomarovAndrey