Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Finding a Good UID Scanner- ID-Integration

Finding a good UID scanner for reading the complicated Department of Defense UID labels is made easy, by a company called, ID-Integration. See the ID-Integration website at www.id-integration.com to find a good UID scanner. The Department of Defense’s standard for keeping track of military property, by way of marking the item, is called the MIL-STD-130N. The MIL standard contains many government and non-government documents and books. The MIL-STD-130N has authority over any conflicts with the other documents and contains a complete list of documents in Section 2. The IUID or UID labels are easily read using a UID scanner. Find a good UID scanner for successful applications.

Section 1.3 of the MIL-STD-130N contains a list of items not requiring the markings, because they already have appropriate marking or UID labels (Unique Identification). The VIN number to a car or serial numbers of a cell phone would be a perfect example of this. If a UID label is needed, you will also need to find a good UID scanner for verification purposes at the very least.

The Department of Defense specifies that the IUID markings must be applied to identification plates, tags, or UID labels that are metal or hard plastic. Marking may also be made to the actual surface of the manufactured item. The IUID marking must be visible and readable, while in operation and use. UID labels are much easier to read using a UID scanner. The IUID marking must be permanent, during the life cycle of the item and it must remain readable after cleanings.

If the item is not big enough to include the entire UID marking specifications on a UID label, the item should be marked with at least the EID (Enterprise Identifier) and the PIN (Part or Identifying Number), Lot, or Batch Number. If an item is too small for any marking, the UID marking on the UID label should be on the packaging. MRI (Machine Readable Information) would be the Department of Defense’s recommended IUID marking method. If you are trying to find a good UID scanner, try the experts in technology at ID-Integration. Visit www.id-integration.com for more information.

Good UID labeling

MIL STD 130 is one of many standards used by the Department of Defense. A good portion of this standard involves UID labeling. Every UID label must be UID compliant as part of MIL STD 130 requirements. These standards were created to ensure that all DoD property can be tracked and accounted for when in use or in storage. Using the proper UID labeling will ensure that the items in question are accounted for and are properly tracked by the DoD. All UID labeling must meet all MIL STD 130 standards before being used.

When choosing a UID label, it is vital that the label is durable and is a permanent solution for the UID compliance process. Various types of UID labeling do exist for various different types of applications. Different types of materials used for UID labeling include aluminum, stainless steel, polyester and laser marked adhesive-backed tape. When choosing a type of material for a UID label, it would be best to consult with a UID label service provider on which material would be best for the application it will be used for.

Each UID label includes a 2D data matrix code, which is encoded with a unique identifier number. The 2D data matrix must also meet quality standards set forth by the ISO. The UID label must meet these additional ISO standards to allow for various scanners to be capable of scanning these labels. The MIL STD 130 standards require that all labels be UID compliant and must contain a 2D data matrix.

During the lifetime of the item the UID label must also maintain its 2D data matrix code legibility to allow for easy identification. Using a metal tag with a permanent adhesive or a suitable polyester label will work for many different environments but some conditions require a label using different materials.

All items currently owned or in contract with the DoD are required to have UID compliant labels. Also all UID labels must also meet all MIL STD 130 standards as well. These standards are considered obligatory by the DoD and must be followed. Since the MIL STD 130 standards can be rather complicated, it is recommended to consult with the experts over at ID-Integration (www.id-integration.com) for further assistance.

Becoming UID Compliant

When working with the Department of Defense, the MIL-STD-130 is a set of standards that is mandatory for labeling any item either owned by or in contract with the DoD. The MIL-STD-130 standards include a set of standards for UID compliance as well. These standards are also obligatory for all identifying labels used for DoD property. There are also various guidelines for the UID compliant labels as well in the MIL-STD-130 standards. Being UID compliant is an absolute requirement when working with the DoD.

One of the MIL-STD-130 requirements for UID labels is that all labels must contain a 2D data matrix code. This data matrix must also be ISO compliant as well. It is very important that the 2D data matrix meets the MIL-STD-130 standards or else the scanner used to read the label will have problems. These labels were designed to allow for all DoD property to be tracked and accounted for in a more efficient manner. The 2D data matrix used on these labels must also include a unique CAGE code. No two labels are to have the same CAGE code as well.

Another requirement of the MIL STD 130 standards is that all UID labels are to be permanent. All MIL STD 130 UID compliant labels must also be very durable as well. All labels once applied to an item, the UID for that item is not changed even if the item is modified or re-engineered during its lifetime. As per MIL STD 130 standards the UID for any item is also never reused for another item.

Regarding MIL STD 130 standards, UID labels can be made from various different materials or even permanently marked, directly onto the item in question. Some of these methods include dot peen engraving, ink jet printing, laser marking, or chemical etching. Other labeling options include a durable polyester label or a metal plate, which are usually attached with a permanent adhesive. All of these methods are MIL STD 130 compliant if using the proper 2D data matrix code with the proper CAGE code.

The main purpose for the various UID standards is to allow the DoD to track and account for all DoD owned or manufactured property efficiently. Since the MIL STD 130 standards are rather complicated it is best to contact the experts over at ID Integration (www.id-integration.com) for further assistance.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

DoD Will Reject Item Shipments Without Proper UID Labels

In the latest UID news, all military shipments must have Unique Identification ( UID ) markings and meet certain standards. Those standards are set out in MIL-STD-130N. It is important that all military property be properly marked with UID labels for inventory control purposes. It is not sufficient to simply count the number of M-16 rifles in a shipment and compare that number to a manifest. Each individual item must be tracked and UID labels make this task much easier.

The UID labels must be securely attached to each item and easily visible. The UID labels must conform to ISO 15343 in a 2D matrix. The UID image will not be readable by human eye so a UID scanner will be necessary. The UID image can range in size from 300 micrometers to more than 1 meter. UID labels must be able to contain a maximum of 2kb of data.

UID scanners used in warehouses will differ from the ones used in the field. Typically a portable handheld scanner will be used outside of the warehouse but, a smart phone can be programed to function as a scanner as well. It is therefore necessary that the UID labels be manufactured to very strict tolerances so that the UIDimages can be read whenever necessary.

While UID images and scanners may be very complex, they are critical to keeping the military functioning smoothly. If shipments do not have scanner readable UID labels , the Department of Defense will reject them.UID labels play a vital role in ensuring that supplies reach their appropriate destinations. Shipments failing to do so could have dire consequences for those in the field.

UID Compliance - Navigating the Waters without Hitting the Rocks

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation 252.211-7003 ( DFARS 252.211-7003 ) sets forth the definitions and regulations of Item Identification and Valuation under MIL-STD-130N, the standard method of marking, identifying, and tracking military property owned by the Department of Defense. Under DFARS 252.211-7003 , all IUID (Item Unique Identification) markings, as well as marking placement, must adhere to a complicated set of guidelines. Marking specifications require a mark to be securely attached to an item with the use of metal or plastic identification plates, identification bands, identification tags or identification labels. Alternatively, DFARS 252.211-7003 marks can be applied directly to an object. The Id Integration website has additional information on MIL-STD-130N regulations.

The use of an MRI (Machine Readable Information) marking is preferred to allow as much room as possible for the amount of information to ensure a proper IUID. EID (Enterprise Identifier) numbers, PIN (Part or Identifying) numbers, batch number, and lot numbers are just a few examples of Types of IUID DFARS 252.211-7003compliant information than can be used with an MRI marking. There are also a few exceptions to the MRI marking standards such as COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) items that are pre-marked with commercial and parts within an assembly or subassembly. DFARS 252.211-7003 specification regulates the quality as well as the content of MRI markings. Linear Bar Codes must adhere to ISO/IEC 15416 unless otherwise specified in the contractor or order. Data Matrix Symbols have several regulations including ISO/IEC 15415, IAM DPM-1-2006, and SAE AS9132.

Id Integration is dedicated to offering products and services designed to effectively and successfully navigate the complicated standards and regulations of DFARS 252.211-7003 . Id Integration offers many kinds of UID scanners such as UID barcode scanners and 2D parts scanners. The “Smart Scanner” is a low-cost, high-value, innovative UID implementation tool offered by Id Integration . In addition to performing the tasks of most standard bar code scanners and standard 2D UID scanners, the “Smart Scanner” from Id Integration also features UID validation error reporting, on-board database look-up, OCR text capability and photo capture. To ensure DFARS 252.211-7003 and MIL-STD 130N IUID compliance, consult the Id Integration experts for information on UID solutions, UID compliance and UID policy.