UID Registry - What is It?

The term UID registry is used by the Department of Defense (DoD) and those that work with the department of defense. The UID registry is a way of indentifying and classifying items used by the DoD. In simple terms it can be defined as a way of identifying and controlling parts and assets used by the military. The UID registry allows the military to have better control of those assets and is better able to perform any necessary audits.
The UID registry regulations stipulate that items sold to the Department of Defense have to be marked with a 2 dimensional number that is non erasable. These markings are made to be machine readable. The reason, so that human error is reduced.

Through the use of the UID registry the acquisition of products is done much more efficiently, and the inventory control has also been improved. This makes it much easier for the DoD to make payment to providers at the specified time. Currently it is required that any defense providers be in compliance with the UID registry.
This registry was first introduced by the Defense department in 2004, and now it is this registry that keeps all the information about the DoD assets, future assets, and past. The UID registry keeps all the data and helps the Defense department keep track of items that are arriving, are depleted, and need to be replaced. This new system allows personnel to easily track an item across the nation and even in other countries. All records can be easily accessed even when a product is no longer in use. The UID registry keeps data such as manufacturer, acquisition date, and even repair information.

Providers must submit information to the UID registry, so that it can easily be managed by Defense personnel. It is important that this submission process begin early on and that all data entered be correct. The registry will require information like, part number, serial number, enterprise code, among other information.
As with most military acquisition processes, there is a certain way the data must be submitted and contractors must follow procedures to be accepted.

The data needs to be converted to XML format before being accepted into the UID Registry, however, all external files need to be modified to the UID registry requirements before being changed over to XML format.
There are specific formats available from the UID registry personnel which go over the process for contractors. Following this process the data is submitted for UID testing and for approval in the UID registry.

The approval process can be seen at the UID registry website, and if all information has been submitted according to the DoD requirements then it should be approved.

What is a UID?

A UID is a Unique Identifier found on every product used by the Department of Defense, (DoD). This is not an uncommon practice in good manufacturing plants. Tracking the development, distribution, and lifetime of a product allows for data collection that will help companies, both manufacturers and end customers, to improve their production processes long-term. In some cases, this UID may provide information that is vital for safety in regards to defective product recalls, poor durability trends, or more – especially when concerning a DoD project.

The basic components of a UID meeting Mil Spec 130 guidelines includes a manufacturer to mark a unique identifier on every product that is truly unique and only traceable to that original item. This mark must be permanent and able to sustain handling and weathering throughout the lifetime of the product. Additional information is also desired including production components like lot and batch numbers, manufacturing location, modifications, and more.

There are a great number of ways to implement a system for marking a UID on all manufactured items. These range from programmable indenting, inkjet, and laser to manual methods such as stamping, stenciling, and acid etching. Each UID marking method brings unique advantages to the manufacturing process enabling more automated technologies to fit right into the production line with the potential to increase overall production line efficiency.

If you’re looking to lower costs, you may wish to consider using a solution that relies on fewer consumables. Laser marking technologies are a greener choice for many companies looking to mark a UID without the concerns of the common VOC pollution associated with heavy duty inkjet inks. Because the laser beam literally etches a tiny portion of the product’s surface, it is not necessary to use expensive inks. Marking directly onto a product and avoiding costly labels or tags may also be achieve with inkjet solutions.

Perhaps you’re cramped for space when considering a UID mark. Options here include attached tags, or simply marking directly on the product’s surface. Data matrix bar coding can fit a large amount of data into a very compact space as well. So it’s important to consider both the technology behind the mark and the UID mark content itself when planning your UID solution.

For more information on the details of UID, perform a simple search on the web. There are a large number of resources available to assist you. Mil Spec 130 is a tough standard to follow and in many cases, it may be in your best interest to partner with a company of experts in this field. If you’re looking for some help in sifting through the details on UID marking, contact ID Integration for a full service, custom approach to your production process.