Classification Of Uid Labels

By Author: ID Integration
Total Articles: 272
Comment this article

All suppliers to the U.S. Department of Defense are required to comply with the department's Unique Identification (UID) program. This includes original equipment suppliers as well as maintenance contractors. The Unique Identification program was instituted to provide increased efficiency of acquisition, repair, and deployment of items under the control of the Department of Defense.

UID Labels are one method of applying UID markings to items requiring these markings. UID Labels can be used for the original UID markings on new items as well as for updating the UID markings required due to maintenance or part replacement.

The latest version of Department of Defense Standard Practice, Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property is MIL-STD-130N. MIL-STD-130N provides the specifications for UID markings. These specifications include what information must be included, formats allowed, placement and how the UID markings can be applied or attached to the item. DFARS Clause 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation defines what items require UID markings.

The key to MIL-STD-130N compliant UID Labels is ...
... to include all required information, in the required formats and by such means the label and markings will remain intact for the expected life of the item the label is attached to. The label and markings will be subjected to the same environmental conditions, handling, shipping, cleaning and rebuilding processes typical for the item affixed to.

A variety of materials may be used to make UID Labels. UID Labels are not required to be stiff as with UID Nameplates. Flexible labels are required when the label must bend with the item it is attached to or when the label will be wrapped around the item, such as a hose or tube, to ensure secure attachment. Flexible UID Labels are also appropriate in many other applications where a stiff nameplate is simply not needed.

The required UID markings can be applied to the labels by numerous means. Some of the marking options are etching, thermal printing and laser engraving. A clear polyurethane coating for additional scuff resistance can be applied to the label after the UID markings have been completed.

UID Labels can be affixed to an item with hardware, welding or adhesive. When UID Labels are attached by adhesive the application of an edge seal coat provides additional protection against the label being peeled off the item.

To ensure the label and markings will remain intact and readable for the full life of the item being marked it is imperative that the correct label materials, marking process and method of attachment be utilized

As you can see from this overview of UID Labels, correctly implementing MIL-STD-130N and DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 is complicated. Experts at UID2GO.com have years of UID experience and are available for more information.

Jet City Laser is a premier supplier of UID Labels that are 100% verified and meet UID requirements. It has helped numerous customers in and UID Registry to register data to the UID Central Registry.