The Role Of Mil Std 130 In Uid Compliance

By Author: Cyrus Brooke
Total Articles: 3
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UID compliance focuses on item traceability by means of unique identification codes. Unique identification codes are original numbers that help in item identification and product distinction. As such, UID labels include unique codes that are highly traceable. This factor enhances asset visibility and helps the military maintain a proper record of asset storage and distribution. Therefore, it can be said that UID compliance highlights the importance of product visibility and tracking to ensure better national security.

The idea of UID coding was first proposed by the U.S. Department of Defense. The DoD has released compliance standards for use by all product suppliers, manufacturers, and product designers. DoD guidelines primarily deal with UID labeling and production requirements. These standards also include additional specifications; like ISO 15418, ATA CSDD, and ISO 15434. These areas focus on specific requirements such as accepted syntax, size, format, and symbols for UID data. The following points highlight some general requirements of UID marking as stated in these guidelines.

UID labels should be made of ...
... strong and durable elements, and should be able to last for a product’s full lifetime. According to UID specifications, contractors must use durable labeling materials and permanent marking methods. It is also mentioned in MIL STD 130 that selected materials should undergo certain environmental tests that will prove their durability. The material must not interfere with the performance of a product or item. According to UID regulations, a product may include UID codes in engraved forms. For such circumstances, the encoded portion of a product may be subject to UID rebuild tests.

This Mil Spec recommends using data matrix format both in 1 D and 2D form for tag encryption. 2 D data matrix format includes high density machine readable data and information. Though 1 D data matrix format is applicable for UID marking, the latter is preferred. However, according to the requirements of a contract or order, a UID label or tag may be required to include both MRI and HRI data. For compliance, MRI data must provide the enterprise identifier number, serial number, part number, and lot or batch number. All of this data must meet MRI nomenclature as per stated specifications.

Programmable indent marking, laser marking, inkjet printing, and etching are some of the recommended marking techniques. Each type of marking process should qualify the durability standards as provided under these DoD guidelines. There are detailed specifications for print quality. It is necessary to provide details of print quality with reference to print quality grade, parameters modulation (MOD), and symbol contrast (SC).

MIL STD 130 consists of a series of general and specific guidelines for UID compliance. To learn more information about compliance for U.S. Department of Defense suppliers and manufacturers, visit www.uid2go.com.

About The Author-
Jet City Laser manufactures UID registry, UID labels, UID marking, UID namplates & also offers other UID services. Customers receive verification reports for each UID barcode, assuring 100% compliance to the quality standards of MIL STD 130.