Construction Basics of UID labels

The basic formats of UID label construction determined by the Department of Defense are essential to follow for the contractors.

About UID labels
The Department of Defense has devised the methodology of UID labels or Unique Identification labels as serializing and marking procedure to keep record of the defense related tangible assets. According to the authorization of DoD, all tangible personal as well as Government Furnished Property, issued on or after 1st January 2004, should be marked with UID labels. However, the DoD plans to mark all tangible as well as embedded assets with UID labels by 31st December 2010. As per the estimation of DoD only 20% of the UID markings will be part marked directly and the 80% will be on name plates or labels.

The contractors, supplying the items were also instructed to fill the UID marking registration by May 2006. The permanent UID labels are allowed by Mil-Std 130 standard. According to Mil-Std 130M Section 5.2.7.2.1, “marks that are acceptable as per the requirements for printing on label material in 5.2.7.2.2 shall be acceptable or alternately see appropriate tables in SAE AS9132 (the Aerospace Industry Marking Standard) for quality requirements.”

The UID labels and the nameplates for the marking and identification of the items should have characteristics such as chemical resistant, chemical resistant, scratch resistant, non-removable. Moreover, they should be readable for the life of the item. The most commonly used materials for UID labels are brushed aluminum foil, polyester and polyimide. There are certain techniques such as laser etching and dot peening are done unto the UID labels to make them withstand the harsh environment condition.

The Item that Require UID Labels

As per the DoD mandate, there are certain specified items that require UID labels on them. The items.

• That are serially managed
• That are mission essential
• Whose unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more
• That are embedded and where it is necessary to have permanent identification

The construction basics of UID labels
While constructing the Unique Identification for the tangible items there are two basic methods that are essential to be followed.
Construct #1 carries information such as part no, serial no, item description
Construct #2 has serial no, original part number, lot number or batch number for embedded items
Both the construction process should strictly comply with MIL-STD 130 ATA 2000 standard of UID labels.

All designs and the marks of the UID labels are authorized by the U.S. Government materiel purchases. The plain texts and the 2-dimentional data matrix barcodes help the government agencies to categorize all the government furnished assets.

Factors that Determines the UID label Markings
The marking of the items with UID labels is determined by some important factors. Nature of the items, their operational environment and their maintenance procedures are the prime factors that decide the marking methodologies. Secondly, the UID marking capability also depends on requirements of the manufacturers, the methods they follow and their technical expertise of making the parts. Of course, the marking technique of 2-D Data Matrix is compatible with all marking techniques.

Benefits of UID Labels

With the marking of the items with Unique Identification mark, it is easy for the the DoD to keep track of the availability of the equipments, acquisition of the items, their deployment and repair standards. The process also reduces the forging of items as well as the asset management cost. In a nutshell, the UID labels enhances the operational productivity.

Benefits if Tesa secure Laser Labels

Introduction

Tesa secure offers a cutting-edge alternative to conventional coding, and marking methods. The surface of Tesa secure is suitable for unique identification (UID) marking. Tesa tapes are one of the most frequently used materials for packaging of extensively shipment items. Even on difficult surfaces, these tapes offer high shear, age resistance thus ensuring safety and durability during storage and transit of items. Tesa tapes are robust, sturdy and are easy to handle.

Before getting more into Tesa Secure 6973 PV 3 laser labels, let’s have a brief overview about different categories of Tesa tapes available.

Tesa Packaging Tapes

Carton Sealing Tapes, TPP Tapes, Filament Tapes and Tear Tapes are some varieties of Tessa Packaging tapes. They are used for sealing, palletizing and better surface protection.

Tesa Auxiliary Tapes

Tesa Auxiliary Tapes have a wide range of usability. Paper bandoliering tapes, polyethylene/cloth based Duct tapes and transparent cellophane tapes are included under this variety.

Tesa Masking Tapes

This type of Tesa tapes are used for general purpose as well as for high-temperature applications. Due to their high durability, these types of tapes are frequently used in used in metal finishing, transportation, and furniture manufacturing industries.

Tesa Fastening Tapes

Tesa Fastening Tapes are used for temporary fastening, splicing, platemounting and permanent bonding. They are very cost-effective and reliable.

Reason of Tesa Secure laser labels durability

As these Tesa Secure laser are processed on low power laser markers in both CO2 and Nd:Yag wavelengths, they can withstand harsh chemicals and extreme climatic conditions. They have exceptional adhesion qualities. In addition to these, an advanced standard tamper evident design has been incorporated which prevents the label from being removed in one piece once it is applied. To resist counterfeiting or forgery, features such as embossed logos and microscripting has been introduced which provide advanced security. Unlike some other nameplate materials, these laser labels are quite inexpensive. The Tesa Secure laser labels are free of heavy metals such as asbestos and formaldehyde and thus are safe to use. Also there is organic solvents remain in these laser labels. The temperature resistant adhesive used in these labels doesn’t contain any harmful acid and are safe to use. As compared to other nameplates, these laser labels are quite durable for long lasting use.

Benefits of Tesa secure

Temperature resistant

The Laser-engraveable Tesa secure is temperature resistant. They can withstand a temperature fluctuation from -50°C to +200°C or -58°F to +392°F.

Chemical resistant

Tesa Secure laser labels resistant to abrasion, oils, grease and many other chemicals. They are even tamper evident.

Easily applied

These laser labels can be applied easily. No rivets or screws are needed for applying onto the metal surfaces.

Available in customized size

Tesa Secure laser labels can be customized to any shape and size. They are also available in different colors such as black, white and silver. They can be engraved and die-cut in one easy step using Nd:YAG or CO2.

Economic price

Tesa Secure laser labels are durable and also very economical. They offer easy peel and stick application and hence are flexible to handle.

Advantages of Laser Marking

Laser marking is a type of Direct Part marking of products. This highly advanced marking method is used as a dynamic, highly adaptable process for high-speed character, graphic, logo, bar code and 2D Data Matrix marking. The laser marking method not only makes the marking permanent and highly readable but also discourages tampering. The Department of Defense (DoD) has mandated the use of laser marking for 2dimensional Data Matrix Symbols as per the MIL-STD 130M standard. As per a 1992 estimate, the DoD lost nearly $2 billion in inventory for improper marking method.

Laser marking is considered to be one of the most efficient marking methods that are used for marking identification number onto products. Apart from military equipment industries, several other industry groups including ISO9000 standard groups have made permanent part identification and Direct Part Marketing (DPM) compulsory to improve the traceability of their items. Laser marking improves the accuracy of inventory, decrease inventory management costs by reducing the workforce burden and enhance the efficiency and productivity by better product traceability.

Laser Marking Process

Laser marking provides an excellent method in counterfeit & forgery prevention, product tracking & identification. The materials used for Laser marking are usually lead and cadmium free and hence are environmentally friendly. The water based solutions are contact free & tamper proof and hence can withstand to abrading, scuffing & corrosion. The process involves a highly concentrated energy from a very parallel beam of light being focused to a microscopic spot to create a variety of images. This laser marking can be very fast with up to 1000 characters per second. Better legibility of the laser marking through a color contrast between the mark and the base material.

Different types of markers are used for laser marking. Some commonly used laser markers are Diode-pumped lasers, Lamp pumped lasers, Fiber laser, Deep engravers and CO₂ lasers. One great advantage of laser marking over traditional marking is that laser marking can be done virtually on all types of metals, woods and even glass and plastic surfaces. Earlier there was a problem in marking for plastic surface items. But thanks to laser marking, now marking and engraving can be done even the surface of plastic items. Besides that, laser marking can also be done on aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, rubber, ceramics, wood and paper products.

Benefits of laser marking

• Highest Speed, Highest Contrast Marking for making Class A readable codes on all materials including bare and coated metals, ceramics, composites, plastics, pc boards and more. Marking can be done even on rough metal castings to smooth highly polished surfaces.

• Smallest to Largest 2D Matrix Codes can be marked with laser marking. It the most Flexible 2D Matrix making method used in the military industries.

• Laser marking is used for all combinations of 2D Matrix Codes as per UID compliant, MIL compliant, ECC200, etc.

• Laser marking has parameters such as “cell creation” and cell “fill” to adjust the properties and thereby assuring proper readability on all materials and surfaces.