The Compliance of DoD UID Labels According to the MIL-STD-130 N Requirements

The DoD UID labels are required to be according to the standards of MIL-STD-130 N. The mentioned criteria must be followed by the contractors to avoid rejection.

The DoD UID labels are one of the ways of marking the DoD items with unique identification so as to enhance their traceability. The Department of Defense has mandated that the labels should be MIL-STD-130 N compliant so that all markings of the items should maintain a standard. As the marking and serialization process of the items are the essential aspect of item management and tracking, the UID marking that doesn’t comply with the standards are rejected by the department. The DoD UID labels are marked with 2D Data matrix codes that are machine readable either by direct part marking or by applying permanent UID labels.

Apart from the feature that the unit acquisition cost of the items should be more than $5000, the other criteria that enables the items to have unique identification are

• The items are controlled inventory
• Serially managed
• Mission essential
• The item is customable where permanent identification is necessary.

As the basic identification marking standard of the DoD UID labels are regulated by the MIL-STD-130 N, it is mandatory for the contractors to obey the instructions provided in the standard. The standard has issued some specifications for the marking requirements and the marking methods of the UID.

Depending on the requirement of the UID marking of the item, the labels (nameplates, ID plates or Data plates) can be constructed with either metallic or non-metallic materials.

The DoD UID labels of the items are made of material either same or different that that of the material of the item. It is essential that the material of the labels shouldn’t cause any damage to the items and should get affixed to the material of the items or parts.

The standard has limited the number of characters of the UID marking of the labels to 50.

The criteria for machine-readable and human readable information of the UID data on the DoD UID label are declared by the MIL-STD-130 N.

The validation and verification of data are mandatory for each submitted data.

The warranty of contract between the government and the contractors states about the nature, utility and condition of the objects.

The drawbacks of the MIL-STD-130 have been rectifying for the convenience of the contractors and better management of the UID items. The latest version of the MIL-STD-130 N, which was released on December 17 2007, has mentioned the criteria for DoD UID labels, validation and verification. According to the standard, different lighting methods should be used for the different part marking. The contractors are required to follow the instructions provided for marking of UID and manufacturing UID labels.

The DoD UID labels are verified according to the cell modulation, cell size, cell contrast, print growth, reference decode, fixed pattern damage, unused error correction, axial non-uniformity, minimum reflectance, and grid non-uniformity. When the outsourcing of UID is considered, the DoD should ensure that the service should follow all the steps mandated by the standard. Even, the DoD UID label generating software must comply with the standards of MIL-STD-130 N.

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.

UID Data submission process to the UID Registry

Item Unique Identification (IUID) process is must for UID registry which is accomplished by UID labels and asset tags. The Department of Defense (DoD) has mandated the use of UID labels in all Government furnished property. As per the UID policy, all UIDs are to be reported to the DoD by submitting the data to the UID Registry. Recently the DoD has come up with software solution for this submission process. Now any new procurement of end item deliverables can be submitted at the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) web site, by clicking the UID tab and entering the appropriate information. Contractors can do data submission by inputting UID data into their current WAWF data entry process.

However for a successful submission, accuracy is crucial. Hence it is necessary to enter correct data elements such as the issuing agency code (IAC), concatenated human readable UID also called the UII, and the construct type such as construct #1 or construct #2. The concatenated human readable UID is the alphanumeric string of characters that is extracted from the bar code by scanning to decoding software.

Steps for UID Submission

There are several options of submitting data to the UID registry. One prominent option is to reformat the data in an XML transmission. The process involves the following steps.

Review the UID Registry schema

Make sure you are in the most up-to-date version (currently 3) of the UID Registry schema. There are certain changes such as embedded data and custody data in support of GFP present in the latest version. Before converting the file to XML, ensure that your external file from your property management database matches the elements required by the UID Registry.

Adjust to meet specific data format obligations

Change the XML format to meet precise data format obligations. Usually it takes a longer period of time since a back and forth process with the UID Registry maintenance team is required. Another important aspect before submitting is to organize the data from specific property database. Depending upon your product, you should properly export the data to a separate file for manipulation.

Perform a submission directly to UID Test Registry

Once your data is formatted into a transferable XML document, you can submit the XML file directly to the UID Production Registry. At first the test registry at the UID needs to approve your data. Once it is done, you can directly send the file to a GEX certified VAN provider who make sure the XML file makes it to the UID Registry FTP servers.

Check the UID Registry web site

Usually it takes a day for your UID to be UID compliant and available on the UID Registry web site. So check the UID Registry web site only after a day of submitting to your VAN provider.

To ensure better understanding about the UID policy, the Department of defense has designed several UID Forums. These forums help both military personnel and DoD suppliers to understand the UID Policy compliance as per the DoD Memoranda and the issuance of the Final UID DFARS Rule.