IUID Marking Methods and Verification
According to the Department of Defense, it is mandatory for all the tangible items of the department to have unique identification or IUID. It is the strategic process implemented by the DoD to keep track of the items across the organization. As the IUID is a globally unique identification, proper care and attention is crucial for IUID marking. The MIL-STD-130 has mentioned certain criteria for the contractors and suppliers who apply IUID marking on the military and non-military items.
The MIL-STD-130 is the governing document of DOD for IUID application. The usability of the nameplates in the Department of Defense depends on the accuracy, durability and flexibility of the IUID marking. The IUID of the items are anodized, screen printed, serialized, hot stamped or thermal transferred.
Different Features of IUID Marking
Unless the items of the DoD are labeled with IUID marking, they are not eligible for submission to UID Registry. There are different aspects of IUID marking:
- Methods of IUID marking
- IUID verification
IUID Marking Method
There are two kinds of IUID marking- direct part marking and label or nameplates. The items are required to fulfill certain conditions for direct part marking. In case the environment of the items is not appropriate for direct part marking, use of nameplates or label is considered for IUID marking. Generally, polycarbonate/lexan, metalphoto, aluminum, vinyl, polyester or mylar are the materials used for the nameplates and labels. The IUID is directly marked to the items using techniques such as dot-peen, chemical etch, laser etch, and stencil printing. The IUID are marked on the items in the form of 2D data matrix code that are identified by barcode readers.
The IUID of the items are marked or the IUID labels are affixed to the items on a particular location meant for the purpose. The sizes of the nameplates are selected by the manufacturer so as that it can contain all required data mentioned in the MIL-STD-130. The commercial products require information such as part number, serial number and manufacturer�s logo.
IUID Marking Verification
Before submitting the IUID data to the UID Registry, the IUID marking of the items are verified to ensure that they meet the standards of MIL-STD-130.
- The marking should pass Error Correction Code (ECC) 200
- The 2D data matrix should be at least a �GradeB� and should maintain the quality of at least �Grade C� over the service life of the marked item.
- The methodology of print quality measuring is specified in ISO/IEC 16022 and the acceptance of the DoD UID code should have a minimum print quality of B/05/660.
Specification and Criteria for the DoD UID Labels
DoD UID labels are required for IUID marking of items where the direct part marking is not applicable. As the DoD has made it a mandate for the items to have globally unique identification, UID labels has added to the functionality of the system. The UID labels are generally provided by the contractors, which they either manufacture or procure from the vendors. There are several criteria defined for the DoD UID labels to meet the standards of MIL-STD-130.
There are certain specifications mentioned in the MIL-STD-130 for the DoD UID labels and the information is provided for the contractors to meet the standard.
Specifications required for the UID Label Materials to Meet
It is mandatory that the performance of the material of DoD UID labels should meet the MIL-STD-130 requirements. The MIL-STD-130L has mentioned the criteria of marking the DoD UID labels. Basically, it has been specified that the marking should be permanent for the functional life time of the items. The DoD UID labels shouldn�t affect the performance of the items and should be able to resist normal use, cleaning, and environmental changes. The information provided by the contractors to assure that the labels and markings can survive for the functional lifetime of the items includes historical data, manufacturer�s guarantee, commercial standards met, etc.
Quality Checking of UID Labels in Accordance with MIL-STD-130L
As the contractors procure the UID labels or nameplates from the vendors, it is the responsibility of the contractor to secure a Certificate of Conformance from their vendors as an assurance that the labels have been manufactured according to the requirements of MIL-STD-130L. It is the responsibility of the contractors to investigate about the manufacturing procedure of the vendors and ensure that the DoD UID labels meet the specific requirements. The CoC states the Grade of the mark at the time of manufacture. The application process of the contractors is reviewed to confirm that labels are not damaged and the markings are not altered. The MIL-STD-130L has mentioned a re-verification process if any type of alter in marking is discovered.
Criteria Mentioned by the MIL-STD-130n for DoD UID Labels
- Depending on the requirements, the labels (name plates, data plates or ID plates) can be made up of metallic or non-metallic materials.
- It is mentioned by the standard that the labels can be of same or different material than the material of the item that requires this DoD UID label. However, if the materials are different, care should be taken that the materials don�t harm each other and the material of the labels should get affixed to the part or item.
- The length of the UID labels shouldn�t be more than 50 characters.
- According to the MIL-STD-130N standard the DoD UID label should contain both machine-readable information and free text marking for item identification.
- The verification of the IUID marking is done as per the MIL-STD-130N standard.
Significance of DoD UID Labels of Item for Department of Defense
The basic asset management system of DoD items requires unique identification of each item. With globally unique identification, the items offer an easy maintenance to the department and assist the DoD to keep track of them. The DoD UID labels are the identification marking affixed or etched to items and are marked with DoD data elements. The data to a DoD UID label is entered as high density machine readable 2D data matrix barcodes. The UID data are either etched to the items through direct part marking or permanently affixed to the items as labels.
The Item Unique Identification Program is designed by DoD so as to get implemented across the multinational organizational boundaries. The structure is also inter-operable among the various departments of the organization. Although the DoD UID labels are basically designed to globally and uniquely identify the items across the Department of Defense, the structure of marking and labeling has significantly enhanced the accountability and valuation of the assets.
The department of Defense made the DoD UID label mandatory for the items of the organization after 1st January 2004. The policies of the structure have been constantly changing for improved management inside the organization. The recent policy has made it mandatory that all the government furnished property- tangible personal property or property in the possession of the contractors- should have proper UID marking and registration. DoD also plans to mark all the embedded assets and items with DoD UID Labels within 31 December, 2010.
The criteria that make the items eligible for DoD UID labels are as follows
- The acquisition cost of the item should be more that $5000
- The item should be consumable, serially managed, controlled inventory or the any other item that requires a permanent identification mark.
- The item ought to be an element required by the program manager to have unique identification
As it is mentioned that the DoD UID labels contain machine readable 2D data matrix barcode symbols, there are certain specified elements that combine to construct the total DoD UID. The elements are a unique part number, unique serial number that is assigned to that item, and the identification of the manufacturer or the enterprise. The data is encoded with a specific language and format. The IUID data is decoded with Automatic Identification Technology. There are two construction methods of UID marking-
Construction #1- serialization within enterprise identifier
Construction #2- serialization within the original part number, batch number or the lot number
The marking procedure of the DoD UID labels should ensure that the markings are permanent for the functional life time of the items. The DoD UID of an item is either affixed to it with as a label or engraved to the item as direct part marking. The labels and nameplates are used where direct part marking is not possible. Whether it is the nameplate or mark, they should be able to withstand adverse environmental conditions and chemical cleaning procedures.
Various Features of IUID Marking
According to the Department of Defense, the items that require DoD recognized IUID marking may include government furnished property in the possession of the contractors, items procured under ongoing contracts and new solicitations, and items in inventory, operational use, or undergoing depot maintenance. As the IUID marking program is a strategic program of marking the items with a globally unique identification number, it has become an essential aspect of asset management for the Department of Defense. Looking at the functionality of the IUID marking, the DoD has made it obligatory for all the items that department owns or buys.
Advantages of IUID marking
- The IUID marking program ensures the enhanced traceability and visibility of the uniquely identified items across the Department of Defense.
- IUID marking is considered as an aid to DoD�s financial management statement as the data provided in the UID are used for operating materials and equipment management, and audit of the property.
- As data available for the similar items are better handled with their unique identification, IUID marking is a strategic approach to purchasing the items.
- As the IUID marking of the items are for the functional life-time of the item, the DoD can achieve a long-term and improved management with the available data.
- IUID marking is also a great help to the mission oriented activities that require improved execution and planning.
- As the IUID marking program has enhanced the efficiency of the items, the DoD has been able to reduce its frustration and improve the availability of the items.
- The consistent use of lifecycle asset information has literally reduced the cost of personal property management.
The Basic Formats of IUID Marking
The IUID marking requirements for the DoD recognized items include product serial number, product part number and manufacturer�s enterprise identifier. The data required for the marking is entered as machine readable 2D data matrix code and decoded with the help of data matrix scanner.
There are two basic format of IUID marking �
Construction #1- serialization within enterprise identifier
Construction #2- serialization within the original part number, batch number or the lot number
Basically, the constructs are two types of templates meant to mark the DoD UID to the items.
Basic Requirements of IUID Marking
According the DoD mandate the IUID marking of the items should comply with the standard set by the MIL-STD-130. The IUID marking can be applied to the items using to alternative methods- Direct Part Marking and Nameplates or Labels. If the environment of the parts doesn�t allow for the direct part marking, use of nameplates or labels becomes the ultimate choice. Whatever may be the method of IUID marking, it is essential that the marking should be permanent for the functional lifecycle of the item. There are certain other aspects that are considered while IUID marking.
- The IUID marking should be able to resist environmental conditions and chemicals.
- The color of the text and its background should be contrasting
- The IUID marking should be permanent.
- The data entered for the IUID marking should be accurate.
The MIL-STD-130m Standard For the Product Designers
The U.S. Department of Defense started the marking of the items with UID to simplify the process of keeping track of the items. The crucial purpose required a specific standard to help the management and enhance the asset tracking process. MIL-STD-130 is the standard that determines the criteria and provides guidance about the identification marking of the items. The MIL-STD-130m is a version of the standard with certain changes with its previous version. The DoD introduced some changes to the MIL-STD-130L and on 2nd December 2005, the DoD generated a new standard MIL-STD-130m. The later version of the standard provides better guidance about the marking system and verification in a detailed manner.
The MIL-STD-130m is involved with every aspect of UID marking starting from allotting the UID to the items to verification of the data after the marking. The criteria mentioned in the standard are followed by all the agencies and departments of DoD.
Criteria For the Product Designers
Moreover, the criteria provided by the standards are the guidance for the product designers to develop the items identification marking according to the requirements. The specific requirements for the product definition data such as marking content, location, size and application process must be mentioned by the product designers. For the initial manufacturers, it requires more than simple information of product definition data that requires marking accordance with the MIL-STD-130m standard. The definition mentioned in section 3 for the use of prevailing engineering documentation technology by the product designers has been used throughout the standard. The standard has been developed carefully to provide clear definitions of applications to avoid any conflict.
Acquiring Activities of the Property
According to the MIL-STD-130 standard, simply stating the marking information about the product complying with the standard is not enough. The product designers are required to mention the acquiring activities in their contractual instruments. It is also essential for the product designers to ensure that the items require unique identification and develop the markings on the basis of item marking requirements criteria mentioned in the standard. The item identification marking should contain personal identification number of the item and the supplier details.
The MIL-STD-130m provides the criteria for both Machine Readable Information (MRI) and Human Readable Information (HRI). The item marking criteria for identification of items and development of specific marking requirements are applicable to all military property produced, stored, stocked or issued by the DoD. The figures mentioned in the standards are intended to help the users getting better knowledge of practices described in the text. However, the applicability of the standards doesn�t depend on the presence of the figures. Some of the military items, that don�t qualify the requirements of UID marking, are not included in the provisions of this standard. Evaluation of the acquiring activity determines the extent to which the requirements can be tailored.
The MIL-STD-130m standard has organized the UID marking procedure that has simplified the asset management of the Department of Defense. Hence, it is essential that all the marking procedure should be in accordance with the MIL-STD-130m standard.
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