Mil-std-130 Spec - A Standard Aide For Uid Marking

By Author: ID Integration
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The Department of Defense has mandated that the all the UID qualifying items should be marked with UID as per the requirements of the MIL-STD-130 spec. The specifications mentioned in the standard states that all the new procurements as well as the legacy items should be marked with 2D data matrix barcode symbols. The symbol or the markings are either etched on the item and parts directly or marked on a UID nameplate or label which is affixed to the item. Basically, the MIL-STD-130 spec is about the UID marking of the items and defines every aspects of the UID marking.

UID Marking Requirements According to MIL-STD-130 Spec
The DoD requires that the UID marking of the items should be permanent for the functional lifetime of each item. It should be able to withstand the adverse working condition of the item and any chemical processing. Hence, the contractors of the suppliers have to take particular care about the methods that they chose for UID marking to meet the UID standard.

Whether the UID of the item is marked directly on the item or through the nameplates, the MIL-STD-130 spec has mentioned that the ...
... marking shouldn't harm the item or its performance. The marking technologies and the metals of the nameplates should be decided carefully to ensure that the item functionality is not affected.

UID Marking Procedure According to MIL-STD-130 Spec
Although the prime requirement of UID marking is to mark all the UID qualified DoD items with machine readable 2D data matrix barcode symbols, there are other marking specifications mentioned in the standard. It is essential that the length of the UID code shouldn't exceed 50 characters to comply with the ISO/IEC 15459-4. The font of the letters entered as the code may be Futura, Trebuchet MS, Arial, Gothic, or any other sans-serif fonts, but they should be capitals. In case of printing the numerals, the Roman numerals are applied when designated by the Government standard or applicable industry. Otherwise, the numerals are imprinted in Arabic fonts.

The MIL-STD-130 spec has mentioned different formats of marking different data elements such as Format 05 for Application Identifiers (AI), Format 06 for Data Identifiers (DI), Format 12 for Text Element Identifiers (TEI). The ISO/IEC 16022 requires that the item identification should be marked with Data Matrix ECC200 symbols.

The size of the modules shouldn't be more than 0.025 inch and less than 0.0075 inch. And, the size of the module should not exceed 1 inch if it is a square symbol. The ratio between the narrow elements and wide elements can range from 2.1:1 to 3.1:1.

The Minimum Print Quality According to MIL-STD-130 Spec
There is a minimum print quality of the 2D data matrix symbols as well as linear barcode. The minimum grade for the linear barcode is 3.0. it is measured with a 0.005 inch aperture that has a 660nm light source wavelength. For the Data Matrix symbols the minimum quality is measured with an aperture of 0.005 inch and 650 nm ± 20 nm light source wavelength.

It is required that the DoD contractors need to follow the instructions and the MIL-STD-130 spec to produce quality UID marking solutions.

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