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.