Fluid measurement and control company Litre Meter has introduced a new electronic documentation system which uses a combination of quick response (QR) codes and mobile technology to deliver quick access to flowmeter information on the fly.
The QR code is a machine-readable optical label that uses numeric, alphanumeric, byte / binary and kanji encoding modes that contains information about the item to which it is attached. Because the codes have greater storage capacity than a standard barcode they are ideal for product tracking, item identification, time tracking and document management.
Details of each meter which the company supplies as part of a single project – for example, all the meters supplied for a particular chemical injection skid – will be held at a unique URL. The website will include al the relevant documentation for each meter including calibration certificates, PMI certificates and material certificates as well as specifications, manuals and instructions.
The address of the website is printed on a chemical-resistant and wear-resistant label securely attached to each meter. The label also carries a QR code linking to the website which will make it easy for service personnel on site to call up all the documentation on a smart phone by simply pointing it at the label.
Litre Meter CEO Charles Wemyss said: "Since we introduced the QR code labelling it has proved a popular innovation. The QR code points to a unique URL for each project. It includes purchase order numbers, works orders and all the relevant product documentation. Engineers can quickly identify the exact product and materials. Swift identification is vital to minimise downtime during maintenance or flowmeter replacement in order to maintain flow assurance and reduce the costs of taking production offline."