Thursday, December 27, 2012

ATA SPEC and the Aviation Industry Maintenance Program

Automated data collection with barcodes is a part of the aviation product maintenance system. For product security, the ATA (Air Transport Association) emphasizes the importance of product management in the aerospace industry. The Air Transport Association provides extensive details of all requirements in their ATA SPEC standard. These specifications deal with the basic requirements for product marking and barcodes in Chapter 9.

Barcode standard as required by ATA

Two-dimensional codes are commonly used to mark aerospace industrial products. These are high density codes with machine readable data. Apart from 2D data matrix symbology this also permits RFID codes and multiple barcodes for item identification. The use of direct part marking, or DPMI technology, is also allowed. In DPMI technology, 2D codes are directly imprinted on the products’ or parts’ body. Direct part marking is machine-readable and allows a company to track a product throughout its lifetime.

Direct part marking and the ATA standard

Direct part marking includes information and data as specified by ATA SPEC with item- unique identification. Like unique identification, DPMI codes and labels have to include information such as:

• part number

• serial numbers

• types of products

• cost of products

• expiry time of a product

• enterprise identification code

• type of used verifiers

Materials to be used in barcodes

The Air Transport Association allows several types of materials to be used for nameplates. The materials are used for UID marking like aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and polyester can be used for DPMI nameplates. However, the material should be substantial to outlast all environmental hazards. In addition, the material should be durable, easy to place on the item, and should be hardy. Like the unique identification marking process, ATA SPEC recommends quality and environmental tests for nameplates and labels.

Importance of the ATA standard

This standard approves the utilization of barcodes. Barcodes are approved and used by important organizations like the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), and many others. Product marking with labels or DPMI technology is beneficial to track products. This system also offers several other benefits, such as:

• Better consumer service: Using automated data collection is a time saving and convenient method. It allows the authority to easily track products during installation, maintenance, and replacement work. It is time saving because a user can record information instantly with the help of a single scan.

• Barcodes ensure product authenticity. The process also helps to identify data accuracy.

• Standards like ATA and UID are internationally recognized. As such, it increases product accessibility throughout the international market.

To learn more about these standards, marking processes, and labels, please visit www.id-integration.com.

The Purpose of IUID Labels

IUID labels contain item unique identification data that is required by all contractors manufacturing or distributing products and parts to the United States Department of Defense (DoD). IUID marking has been made mandatory by the Department of Defense to ensure the presence of quality in products, while also ensuring that all assets are fully trackable throughout the U.S. DoD. This particular identification standard has been created to continually track and analyze such items throughout their full lifecycle of use. All labels, or direct-part markings, must work in compliance with the guidelines that have been established by MIL-STD-130. Adhering to these specifications is required for successful government contracts.

services to customers and comply with the most up-to-date requirements established by the Department of Defense policies related to IUID. The Department of Defense has made it mandatory for all government suppliers and contractors who supply defense items to possess IUID markings in order to comply with contracted terms.

There are many requirements to be followed to be accepted by the DoD and some of these requirements are outlined below.

These globally recognized labels must be durable so that they are able to withstand friction, abrasion, chemical reactions, and all types of weather conditions. They must also be fade resistant and anti-counterfeit in nature. Moreover, the labels must be clear and distinct as they include the complete information about the affixed products. Marks and labels must remain legible and durable for the complete lifetime or lifecycle of the product.

Considering the nature of products for which these Department of Defense standardized labels are being used, the substrates used include a variety of materials from aluminum and polyimide to polyester and more. Laser and programmable stylus marking methods are also used in order to make these identification marks durable and resistant to rough conditions.

The Department of Defense has announced specific items that should include labels. According to its mandate, those items must possess a distinct and permanent identification throughout their lifespan. For any IUID service provider it has become essential to stay informed and remain in touch with resources that help them provide the right product with proper specifications.

Visit www.id-integration.com for more information about labels and specific requirements outlined by the Department of Defense. This website offers custom solutions for labels and other specifications required by the government.

The IUID Registry Works in Combination with Today’s IUID Compliance Process

As per the Department of Defense (DoD) mandate, it is essential that government contractors comply with IUID rules before shipping their products. 

If products do not meet requirements for IUID compliance, they may be subject to rejection. Thus, it becomes necessary for contractors to present required data regarding their contracted items to the IUID Registry. The contractors are bound to submit their data to the IUID Registry, as required by DFARS 252.211-7003 in their DoD contract. It is through this submission of information to the IUID Registry that it becomes easier and faster to track information for continued IUID tracking. Data submission can be completed by the contractors with the application of Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF), through the Global Exchange Service (GEX), or manually at https://www.bpn.gov/iuid/ . The WAWF is the standardized method of submitting this information and several helpful resources are available for those who wish to learn more about this process.

The IUID Registry is maintained by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) and is currently the authorized location where all relevant data is captured and stored. Typical registry data for each qualifying item includes what an item is, its value, the item’s original owner, and acceptance details, among other important data. The IUID Registry website features a number of informative queries and reports based upon acquisition data and is subject to around 150 validations; including nearly 120 legacy validations, for accuracy. Furthermore, ninety-five percent of this data originates from WAWF data feeds as well as through XML submissions. Overall the use of automatic identification technology throughout these applications has drastically reduced the potential for user errors.

Product IUID labels contain essential information like a product’s manufacturer, serial number and part number. Depending on the nature of these items, labels or markings need to be made in such way that they can withstand tough conditions and constant exposure to friction and weathering. U.S. Department of Defense IUID markings on products are done with various technologies; such as laser marking equipment, programmable indenting systems, ink jet printers, and more. Often, many manufacturers choose to implement IUID verification solutions to improve their compliance efforts internally.

For more information about IUID compliance and registration, please visit the website of ID Integration at www.id-integration.com. They are able to create custom solutions for customers seeking compliance with the Department of Defense IUID mandates and offer a range of helpful articles and tips to simplify these processes.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

What is an IUID Verification System?

The IUID mandate involves the assessment and identification of many articles, parts, products, and other assets, owned by the United States military. This identification system was initiated by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in 2003 and has been made mandatory for many DoD related items. The primary key to success with IUID compliance is in possessing a unique and unambiguous identifier permanently affixed to every part or product meeting MIL-STD-130 requirements. Currently, the required part mark consists of a Data Matrix ECC 200 code. This mark may be applied through a variety of recommended marking technologies; including dot peen, inkjet, and laser solutions.

All contractors must abide by these guidelines as detailed in MIL-STD-130 in order to maintain various government contracts. Today, there are a number of IUID verification systems available to assist manufacturers and other contractors with their compliance efforts.

Government contractors are required to meet the specifications outlined in all MIL-STD-130 guidelines. Noncompliance of these terms may result in contracted orders being cancelled. An in-house verification system, which has been developed to check the barcode on IUID labeling, is often a cost effective and time efficient solution for improved compliance. Additionally, such a verification process may also help to streamline internal production processes. Visit www.id-integration.com to learn more about how a IUID verification system can address your specific production and compliance needs.

What purpose does DFARS 252.211-7003 serve?

There are contractual clauses mentioned in Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines, which are extremely important for all organizations to heed who intend to supply products to the DoD. The DFARS 252.211-7003 clause stands for and is concerned with Item Unique Identification (IUID) of products. If you are a government contractor, you will want to pay special attention to this portion of the DoD guidelines for more specific details.

There are several IUID service providers operating in the United States who offer complete IUID solutions to their clients. They can help companies implement in-house marking and verification systems to improve compliance processes internally. Additionally, many of these system integrators can effectively assist companies wishing to implement marking and tracking solutions throughout all of their production processes for increased productivity and quality.

To research such services and to learn more about one of the best IUID service providers, log onto www.id-integration.com. ID Integration, Inc. is a leader throughout the identification marketplace and has extensive experience helping contractors and manufacturers navigate complex compliance applications; including MIL-STD-130, ATA SPEC2000, DEF-STAN 05-132, AS9100, and more.

What is ATA SPEC2000?

ATA stands for the Airline Transport Association. SPEC2000 is promulgated by the ATA is concerned with today’s automation methodology that is widely used in the aviation sector. This requirement for automated data collection has evolved through the need for marking aircraft parts and tracking maintenance and service throughout each part’s life cycle. This extensive tracking and data collection enables manufacturers throughout the aerospace industry to ensure higher quality production, improved safety, and timely maintenance – ultimately resulting in greater safety for all end customers.

ATA SPEC2000 includes extensive and well-formulated guidelines based on proven processes. Briefly, ATA Spec2000 specifications influence a broad range of factors throughout this industry and include compliance requirements for manufacturers producing parts and equipment used in aerospace as well as the maintenance processes. Compliant automated data collection (ADC) processes implement the use of a 2D data matrix bar code as well as RFID technology for identification of aircraft products and parts.

Airlines for America collaboratively manage the standards governing business-to-business interaction throughout the commercial airline industry. These standards include detailed specifications and guidelines for part marking, spares interchange, and warranty, among other relevant areas of this industry. SPEC2000 has completed chapters for each of the diverse disciplines it must govern, for example, Chapter 9 provides an explanation of part marking standards.

Though the specifications of ATA SPEC2000 are vast, the ultimate goal is to ensure the safety of passengers and the safety of the aircraft as a whole. Additionally, these specifications are designed to minimize any problems that the aircraft industry may experience in its supply chain. This specification helps to streamline the process while reducing costs associated with the industry. This method of information exchange has created vast improvements i and has reduced the time and money needed to effectively run aircraft operations. Members of the industry are encouraged to learn more about this and other specifications relating to the industry.

To learn more about ATA Spec2000, please visit www.id-integration.com. ID Integration creates custom solutions for customers who need to meet ATA specifications as well as government related compliance issues. Don’t take chances with complex compliance objectives instead ensure more successful ATA SPEC2000 guidance by partnering with an innovative leader in the identification and tracking industry. Our solutions enable contractors and manufacturers to streamline production processes while understanding the specifications required for optimal compliance in a wide range of industries. Visit us online to begin learning more today.

Common Facts about MIL-STD-130 Compliance

MIL-STD-130 is a standard implemented by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). It maintains full control over the requirements for Item Unique Identification (IUID) and covers relevant information that is associated with this identification and registration process. These guidelines lay down specific rules and procedures that ultimately regulate the purchase, registration, tracking, and distribution of a majority of government products, parts, and other assets. These rules are applicable to all manufacturers and contractors supplying products or parts to many U.S. government and military offices.

Moreover, this protocol established by the DoD, includes full specifications to regulate necessary processes and identification nomenclature; including compliant marking technologies, quality checks, maintenance documentation, and product storage or distribution processes. These guidelines help to ensure that government assets are manufactured with the highest quality assurance and delivered with fail-safes in place to secure greater safety for the United States through automation-assisted tracking.

Although a large majority of IUID labeling is required for DoD contracts, there are some cases where these specifications are not applicable to all products. These guidelines spell out the necessary information to assist manufacturers, or contractors, with determining whether a product requires IUID labeling or not.

A few other things of significance also find special mention in MIL-STD-130, such as item identification and production numbering, details of production, compliant marking procedures and substrate types. ALL IUID labels must also include a machine readable barcode to meet various automation requirements. In order to understand the specific information required on compliant IUID labels, there are detailed specifications provided in these standards that cover marking/labeling, compliant methods, nomenclature and materials.

According to the identification guidelines established by the Department of Defense, the use of scanners may help organizations to more easily maintain records for full compliance. Apart from this, it must be kept in mind that suppliers must use permanent marking methods for all identification. Government suppliers and manufacturers can choose from a variety of methods to mark their items; such as laser-marking technology, chemical etching, offset printing, indenting, and more. What matters the most is the long-term quality and durability of the labels or direct-part markings. In order to assure that they can withstand tough conditions this identification must be made of materials that are weather resistant, durable, and legible throughout the full lifetime of a part or product.

For more information, please visit www.id-integration.com to learn more about this standard and how to properly meet compliance.