Too Many Zeros in Labels

Hello,
I am looking for ideas for creating labels correctly when the process in manual data input. We have a couple of complaints for labels having either too many or not enough number (usually zeros) on them. This causes the parts to be mislabeled. Has anyone had this problem or one similar? if so, what did you do to fix it? any suggestions are helpful.

thanks,

NDesouza,

What's the purpose of the number on the label? Why is it relied on manual data input?

Johnny Quality said:

NDesouza,

What's the purpose of the number on the label? Why is it relied on manual data input?

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The numbers on the labels are part numbers. This process is manual because the factory making the parts is an older one with many manual processes that need to be updated to better systems. I have only been working here for a few months and we are getting complaints for the part numbers having either too many or not enough numbers. We do not have another way of doing it currently, but they are open to some suggestions. This is a smaller factory.

Take the total amount of characters. Look for a neat dividing option. E.g. 16 character total can make 4 chunks of 4 characters each. Insert a character inbetween the chunks that doesn't carry any information, perhaps a - or just a space.

Try using a monospaced font, so the total width is always the same if the amount of characters is the same.
Try aligning other parts of the label so it is clear when this length is different than expected.

Jean_B said:

Take the total amount of characters. Look for a neat dividing option. E.g. 16 character total can make 4 chunks of 4 characters each. Insert a character inbetween the chunks that doesn't carry any information, perhaps a - or just a space.

Try using a monospaced font, so the total width is always the same if the amount of characters is the same.
Try aligning other parts of the label so it is clear when this length is different than expected.

Click to expand...

Thanks very much for this suggestion. I will bring it to our team.

Aside from foolproofing the system by automatically generating part numbers, is it possible to build in the existing system a way of only accepting the correct number of characters? Assuming all your part numbers are of indentical length?

Yes, there is a reason that your credit card number is xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx and not xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. One is much easier to deal with than the other.

Johnny Quality said:

Aside from foolproofing the system by automatically generating part numbers, is it possible to build in the existing system a way of only accepting the correct number of characters? Assuming all your part numbers are of indentical length?

Click to expand...

All of the part numbers are not the same length. It would be great to automatically generate part numbers using our Global Shop System. I am looking into this as well.

Zeros (0) to the left of an integer with a decimal point to the right are placeholders for future use. (Yep there can be too many at times)

Back in the day before I used barcode scanners, I used a master part number list in excel and copy pasted the whole cell into the data entry point.