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Tire-Track Frequently Asked Questions
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![Tire Track Tire Scanner](../images/tracker_on.jpg) |
Tire-Track
Brochure (PDF)
Tire-Track Overview
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FAQ |
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1) What is
Tire-Track? |
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2) What
is the difference between the Tire-Track ID Unit and a silk-screened or ink printed label? |
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3) Does the Tire-Track
ID Unit survive the retreading process? |
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4) How do I
determine the Tire- Track number if it is damaged or destroyed? |
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5) Can I
select/control the sequence numbers of the Tire-Track ID Units? |
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6) Can I change
the size and/or shape of the base patch or information? |
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7) How are the Tire-Track ID Units
packaged? |
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8) How do I track my vehicles? |
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9) What types of Bar
Code are offered and how are they different? |
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Terms |
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One-Dimensional Bar Code (1-D) |
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Two-Dimensional Bar Code (2-D) |
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Scanner |
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Imager |
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Check Digit |
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Error Correction |
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1) What is Tire-Track?
Tire-Track is a fully-integrated tire identification and tracking system that helps manage
your fleet's tires. The complete system includes: Tire-Track ID Units (Bar Code labels
designed for tires), Software, Hardware, Installation, training and on-going technical
support.
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2) What
is the difference between the Tire-Track ID Unit and a silk-screened or ink printed label?
Silk-screened or ink printed tire identification labels have been available for some time.
They are similar in that both products place "paint" or ink on the surface of
the rubber. Although their initial appearance is very good, they can be easily damaged. Therefore,
silk-screened or ink printed identification labels do not perform well and do not last in
harsh environments. The Tire-Track ID Unit was co-developed by The Patch Rubber
Company and Tracking Systems LLC. It is a multi-layer rubber "patch"
specifically constructed to have a bar code cut into the rubber itself; therefore, there
is no paint or ink to rub off. It resists UV light, which causes other white patches to
turn brown. This "Brown-out" effect prevents a scanner from decoding a bar code.
The Tire-Track ID Unit is specifically designed for harsh environments.
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3) Does the Tire-Track
ID Unit survive the retreading process?
Yes, in fact the bond is actually improved. We have tested them in most of the major
retreading plants. However, we always suggest that it be tested at your facility. |
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4) How do I
determine the Tire-Track number if it is damaged or destroyed?
Tire identification number, tire data and wheel positions are stored in the software
program. |
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5) Can I
select/control the sequence numbers of the Tire-Track ID Units?
Yes, all of our work is custom. |
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6) Can I change
the size and/or shape of the base patch information?
Yes, the sample that was shown to you is our "standard" patch. Most changes can
be made. |
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7) How are the Tire-Track ID Units
packaged?
The labels are supplied in rolls of 500 pieces in sequential order. The packaging doubles
as a dispensing box that fits on a bracket and can be mounted anywhere in the maintenance
shop. |
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8) How do I track my vehicles?
All of your current vehicle numbers can be reproduced on a laminated peel and stick label
for application to a tractor, trailer or yoke. |
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9) What types of Bar
Code are offered and how are they different?
(an example of each of bar code is shown with identical data.) |
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![CODE 39](../images/tire_track_code_39.jpg) |
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CODE 39: One of the more
popular and widely used 1-D code. Since it is not a dense code, the length of the code is
longer than other codes. It is widely supported by almost all scanner companies. |
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![Interleaved 2 of 5](../images/tire_track_i_2of5.jpg) |
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Interleaved 2 of 5 (i 2 of 5):
This is an older bar code. It can only be used with an even number of NUMERIC characters.
Even though it is very dense (this allows the message length to be shorter), it is highly
suspect to misread unless an added check digit is used. It is widely supported by almost
all scanner companies. |
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![Code 128](../images/tire_track_code_128.jpg) |
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Code 128: The newest 1-D bar code. It is
denser, contains a check digit and is well suited for harsh environments. There are 3
subsets of Code 128; they are 128a, b or c. 128a is a numeric only code and it is most
dense 1-D code. It is used by the auto and airline industry (Spec 2000) for parts marking.
Most scanners can read it. |
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![PDF-417](../images/tire_track_pdf.jpg) |
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Developed by SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES as a
highly dense means to capture data with built in error correction. Some scanners can
decode it, otherwise, an imager must be used. |
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![Data Matrix](../images/tire_track_data.jpg) |
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A widely used 2-D code. It is very dense
and has error correction. It is ideally suited for harsh environments. An imager must be
used to decode it. It is the preferred code by the automotive industry, airline industry
(Spec 2000) and the Dept. of Defense. |
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One-Dimensional
Bar Code (1-D): A series of black and white bars and spaces in a linear layout.
Most are scanned in a bi-directional format
(L>R or R>L).
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Two-Dimensional
Bar Code (2-D): A series of black and white shapes in a checker board pattern. An
imaging device, like a scanner, takes a "snap-shot" of the code. It is compared
to a look-up and decoded. It was developed for harsh environments.
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Scanner: A device that
uses a laser light to capture a bar and space pattern for 1-D codes.
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Imager: A device that
"photographs" the image in order to decode either a 1-D or 2-D code.
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Check Digit: An added
character typically not seen in the bar code or eye-readable image which provides a
mathematical check on the previous data string to insure accuracy.
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Error Correction: The
ability of a 2-D code to be read after being partially destroyed.
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