Barcodes and the process

S

SecondHandPower

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Dec 2, 2017
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I found a few cells with barcodes from the factory... none seem to beuseful to me, but I cant help thimking how much I want to sticka simple barcode label on my cells.

On the other hand the process of using a marker to write the mAH orvoltage (or time or temperature or date or whatever you feel is important ) is simple and easy to do and proven by the test masters with thousands of cells tested, and so far I have processed 3 cells all the way through.

On the way, i tested a few heaters and had several cells that charged really slow, but I cant tell which ones they were, or if those will have a decent mAh number to make the cut later on.

So I decided to see what I could do with barcodes for cheap, without making it a painto do data entry and I found a couple of apps that scan barcodes using my smartphone. I tested one app that scans into a spreadsheet (on my Android) and another that will open a web page when I scan a code, so I set the search URL to launch theDIY Powerwalls Cell Database with one tap.

However, when I get to the cell database, there is no searchbar for that page or the detailed content on the second page (where you can see the cell numbers and ratings)

I would like to look up cells using a barcode on a printed list of cells by model number that has all the specs in barcode format so I could associate the serial number to all the factory specs in my tracking spreadsheet with a couple of clicks (on my phone!)

There are barcode fonts for use in several apps, so it would be simple to create my own spreadsheet and the related barcoded information on a computer and then use that on the phone.

Anyone using barcodes andtracking spreadsheets etc ?
 
Many use speadsheets to record the various aspects of the cells.
To search the Cell database by the The stuff printed on the cells I have found using the find fuction of your browser works well
Later fFoyd
 
Here is a diagram to show how I plan to use a few barcodes to simplify tracking and reporting in my process.


image_cikgyi.jpg


1) a serial number label applied to cell as it enters my process
2) a specifications barcode that describes the original specs for this cell
3) a spreadsheet that is easily updated and portable.
4) use the serial number to join the tracking spreadsheet to the test data collected by the tester
 
@Neurocis, Thanks for the link to Brett's page. He's got a nice reporting system going there.

The other day I was on the cell database and discovered a nice way to grab most of the factory stats for batteries shown on this forum.

The cell detail page (the page behind the cell database link - the page with one cell and a table showing specs)uses a tag called that hasa comma delimited list of the stats that are displayed in the table. It may be a bit more info than would fit in a typical 128 barcode, but it may be a good datapoint to have easy access to when checking in a cell to the test process. For example: create a specs barcode from this text
 
SecondHandPower said:
@Neurocis, Thanks for the link to Brett's page. He's got a nice reporting system going there.

The other day I was on the cell database and discovered a nice way to grab most of the factory stats for batteries shown on this forum.

The cell detail page (the page behind the cell database link - the page with one cell and a table showing specs)uses a tag called that hasa comma delimited list of the stats that are displayed in the table. It may be a bit more info than would fit in a typical 128 barcode, but it may be a good datapoint to have easy access to when checking in a cell to the test process. For example: create a specs barcode from this text
Click to expand...
Hey, I bought this barcode printerhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-Barcode-label-printers-clothing-label-printer-Support-80mm-and-57mm-thermal-label-paper-or-ordinary/32235252486.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.JEgcr2 Works good for serialised barcodes. I use ID Automation Free Software for the Barcodes Code 39. I originally user A4 sticker Avery paper and printed them from Excel but the wear out easily and come loose. Cheers, Brett
 
Ok, so lets say you do not have a barcode scanner or barcode printer and you want to do some data entry using just your phone.

I tried a couple of apps on my Android phone in the past 6-8 months to help with tracking things, and wanted to share what I found.

Today I installed ia QR code generator that will take a long line of random line of text... I used the comma delimited string describing an entry in the Cell Database and made this :

image_tqktao.jpg


Also found an app called scan to sheet that uses the phone camera to scan barcodes into a spreadsheet type app that also supports pull down lists. I paid a few bucks for the Pro+ edition and used it to do some manual data entry for my processing using my Opus charger for some of the cells. I will look for an example spreadsheet that was generated (using my phone as the data collection tool).

I must have deleted this app when space got tight and I was building out my larger system that is using Influxdb.
 
SecondHandPower said:
Ok, so lets say you do not have a barcode scanner or barcode printer and you want to do some data entry using just your phone.

I tried a couple of apps on my Android phone in the past 6-8 months to help with tracking things, and wanted to share what I found.

Today I installed ia QR code generator that will take a long line of random line of text... I used the comma delimited string describing an entry in the Cell Database and made this :
<photo>
Oops. No button for photo. Wil have to edit and add later.

Also found an app called scan to sheet that uses the phone camera to scan barcodes into a spreadsheet type app that also supports pull down lists. I paid a few bucks for the Pro+ edition and used it to do some manual data entry for my processing using my Opus charger for some of the cells. I will look for an example spreadsheet that was generated (using my phone as the data collection tool).

I must have deleted this app when space got tight and I was building out my larger system that is using Influxdb.
Click to expand...

Don't know if this will help but I do have adatabase with the parameters you mentioned on my google drive it is called "Cell percentage of loss from original. lookup V1.02.xlsx" the first sheet is the database.
Check it out hope it helps
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UOQUXa4Kwa99KoeuNDe7EV3iSECb8iIs

Wolf
 
Another update on the reality factors of barcoding and printing (if you are thinking of making your own labels) and scanning.

I had looked at just buying serialized labels and decided to go ahead and pay the extra to the printer hardware and software in case I wanted to do something besides serial number labels different down the road.


image_hwgoqx.jpg


I started by ordering a barcode printer similar to the one @Brettwatty mentioned. About 11 months ago, I got the Xprinter and the BarTender barcode generation software and am just now getting around to trying it with my cell testing process.

Actually, I tried my first roll of labels shortly after I got the printer, so this is my second attempt at this.

The delay was caused be challenges in selecting the correct type and size for the labels. I found a good deal on some thin mylar labels from China and they were advertised correctly as thermal transfer, but found later that they would not work in my thermal printer. The key word to getting what I needed is "thermal", but these plastic labels required a "transfer" media (like ink ribbon). I tried the labels in the thermal printer and complained to the seller that they would not work in my printer and they responded the labels are working as designed and I either needed to buy a different printer or get the heat sensitive labels (pure thermal, no transfer media required).

So I searched some more and found a label company here in the States that specializes in all kinds of labels and even sells custom serialized labels. www.labels and more (all one word). I selected a 3-wide roll of 1.25" x 7/8" thermal paper labels that work in the Xprinter.

So it turns out that the platten for the print head where the labels moves through the printer is 76mm... that is narrower than the 105mm roll of labels, so I had to cut between the #2 and #3 label, making a long strip of (2) labels and another long strip of (1). So shop carefully and buyer beware what you are buying, or figure out a way to make it work using some of your free time.


image_iemxni.jpg


Ok, so I figured out how to do a serialized print job with two cell serial numbers per label using the BarTender software, and had a challenge with getting the bar code containing all the characters I wanted into the space available. Spacing is tight and if any of the bars fall off the edge of the label due to spacing, they are not usable.

Scanning notes: I tried a few different code formats and found that code 39 and code 128 works on my barcode scanner, but QR codes do not. The BarTender software has a long list of supported barcode formats, but my scanner supports a short list. The scanner I am using is a WoneNice USB scanner. Seems to have some issues reading barcodes when being held at the angle needed to read something on the tester. It takes patience to scan the codes for the tester slots that I made as an experiment to see if I can get this to work the way I want it to.


image_ghykcf.jpg


I saw @Brettwatty has some videos out there showing his labeling and checki-in process, which although it takes time to do, it seems to be pretty bulletproof. The barcodes seem to be easily read by his scanner, so I may have to tune the heat on the printer or get another scanner for extra margin.

After investing a few hours tinkering with this, I am still optimistic that I would be able to go "blip, blip" and associate a cell with a tester slot so that data collected by my tester could be matched to the cell if I ever want to reference it later in time.

I have been learning json and python and influxdb, and will try to make a web page front end to a database as a catch-all for serial numbers and test results. This will become my CHARGE Database...a Cell Handling And Report Generation Engine. (my delusion is pretty strong, eh?)

Hopefully I can find enough examples to get this to work on a Windows laptop... good training to build IOT skills !

Ultimately, you know I will be writing a number on the cell with a sharpie and tossing it in a bin.
I do not expect that will ever change : )
 
Influx sounds like the wrong db to use. Influx is for Time series data and have the time as Main value. I would have gone with any other normal database like mysql or postgres or any of Them.

Good start!
 
daromer said:
Influx sounds like the wrong db to use. Influx is for Time series data and have the time as Main value. I would have gone with any other normal database like mysql or postgres or any of Them.

Good start!
Click to expand...

Why not time series... cannot test cells without spending time : )
Timestamps are kind ofimportant, to make a charge/discharge plot, right?

Seriously, the test process covers charging over time or dischargeover time, or some wait period in between testing sessions.

My understanding is thatTime series associates the time with the data as it is stored and it is possible to force a different time if needed, but not possible to store a recordwithout a timestamp... are you saying this eats up extra space or something ?

Even something like a serial number that remains the same over time can be put into different locations as time passes. (like a cell that is in a tester slot, then moved to a bin and back into another tester slot then to a bin or a pack...)
 
I built an MS Access database to record all my cell data. I also use it to print barcoded labels. If you have MS Access I'd be happy to send it to you.

I wonder if I could attach it to this thread?
 
Grumplestiltskin said:
I wonder if I could attach it to this thread?
Click to expand...

You can, but must be zipped first before uploading. And yes, a zip, not rar or other compression.
 
Korishan said:
You can, but must be zipped first before uploading. And yes, a zip, not rar or other compression.
Click to expand...

Cool....

I'll have to reconstruct it into a single file as I currently have it using MySQL as the backend....
 
Grumplestiltskin said:
Korishan said:
You can, but must be zipped first before uploading. And yes, a zip, not rar or other compression.
Click to expand...

Cool....

I'll have to reconstruct it into a single file as I currently have it using MySQL as the backend....
Click to expand...

Great I am waiting with baited breath. :D


Wolf
 
Grumplestiltskin said:
I built an MS Access database to record all my cell data. I also use it to print barcoded labels. If you have MS Access I'd be happy to send it to you.

I wonder if I could attach it to this thread?
Click to expand...

@Grumplestiltskin,
I have Apache OpenOffice Base...that may work. Will be happy to check it and see.

Thanks
 
I tried to upload but it failed - probably too large.

So, I added it to Google Drive...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/120FpYK7WzpYDpcq3mtx7eZL4ogHfpsFd/view?usp=sharing


No warranty, no guarantees, not fit for any use, etc etc.

FWIW I left my first 47 cells in there so you can get an idea of how it all fits together. I am sure there are bugs and things that don't work.

It has grown over the past year with no particular plan or strategy. I think you will also need to have the barcode font installed too.
 
Grumplestiltskin said:
I tried to upload but it failed - probably too large.

So, I added it to Google Drive...
Click to expand...

I tried to see if Open office could connect to the database and it would not connect using the Access and Access 2017 file types. Thanks for the offer to share.

Done with barcodes (?)

I found it a pain to add barcode labels to each cell, and to give meaning to the barcode, I needed to write that number to the database, so it finally dawned on me that the SM,Slot.mAh.IR would be distinct enough to tell me all I need to know about the cell and I can query my CHARGE database using the SM,Slot and finished mAh to pull up a chart in case I want to go back and take a look.


Once a cell is tested, I write the tester bank or Slave Module number (SM 10-13), the Slot (0-7) and the mAh

Plus the label never falls off !

By the way... I found a good use of my 10,000 thermal printer labels. I can use them on the heater/leaker Sanyos for a visual indicator that it heated up.


image_vauzrn.jpg


This red one is a leaker that was measured with I.R thermometer to be around 150F during a cycle. (see how the thermal label has faded)
 
I've noticed those barcodes are a bit blurred. Did you face any issues with them? I'm kinda having the same issue right now.
 
Hey there, I stumbled upon this thread and thought I'd chime in. I've never used barcodes to track cells, but it sounds interesting. However, as you mentioned, adding a barcode label to each cell and giving meaning to it can be quite a pain.
As for the thermal printer labels, that's a great idea to use them as a visual indicator on the heater/leaker Sanyos.
Thanks for sharing your experience with using barcodes for tracking cells and for the tip on the thermal printer labels. I'm new to this forum, but I'm always looking for new and innovative ideas like this.
BTW, have you heard of Smart Engines OCR SDK? It's a powerful tool for recognizing barcodes and other types of visual data.
 
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