MIL STD 130

MIL STD 130 is a standard that is mandated by the DoD for any item to be UID compliant. MIL-STD-130 permits printing or marking the UID symbol with most of the conventional technologies used to produce a name plate or a label and this standard can be easily incorporated with any existing source or process. As per the DoD mandate, all assets and personal properties including assets in the possession of the contractors must be marked with a unique serialized identification number in compliant with MIL-STD-130.

MIL STD 130 standard requires all government furnished property in possession of contractors (PIPC), qualifying end item deliverables and legacy items ought to be marked with a machine readable 2D Data Matrix bar code. It doesn’t matter if a durable polyester label or a direct part mark technology such as dot peen, ink jet, laser etch or chemical etch are used; however, the bar code must meet printing or marking specifications.

Unique Identifier (UID)

Unique identifier (UID), also referred as Item Unique Identification (IUID) in the DoD terminology, marks all tangible items in the form of a number, character string, or sequence of bits assigned to separate entity or its relevant attribute that uniquely distinguish it from other entities. Every unique identifier can have only one occurrence within its stipulated scope of use. As a matter of fact, the IUID is physically marked on tangible assets with the use of a 2D data matrix with ISO 15434 formats.

Processes of Choosing MIL STD 130

It is vital to use durable and permanent label solutions for UID compliant process. There are various types of UID labels and UID nameplates to choose from. The UID labels services provider should know which material will be appropriate for a particular item. The type of materials can range from aluminium, stainless steel, polyester or laser marked adhesive backed tape. However, the UID nameplates must meet MIL STD 130 standards. Usually, the UID number is very essential for meeting the MIL STD 130 standards.

With the UID Compliance system in accordance with MIL STD 130 standards, the UID-marking and UID scanning of each and every item have become more appropriate. Now the DoD can easily achieve hassle free monitoring of all the items at its disposal.

Amendment to MIL STD 130

MIL-STD-130M, a new standard was generated on 2nd December 2005, when Department of Defense, which is responsible for identification marking of military properties of US made amendment on MIL-STD-130L standards. This new standard is designed in a more exhaustive manner than earlier MIL-STD-130L and much emphasis is given on MIL-STD-130M to provide better guidance. MIL-STD-130M standard is meant for both the Defense Department as well as for all Department Agencies.

Usually Non-Government standards are maintained for Machine-readable information or MRI, a vital tool for asset management for life-cycle products. In addition to MRI, MIL-STD-130M also emphasizes on free text item identification marking.

Specifications

There are certain engineering documentation terms of military products which might not go in accordance with the American Identification languages. The section 3 of the standard clearly specifies those terms and helps product designers in offering a lucid definition about the items created for military.

It is mandatory for product designers to develop their products by adhering to the criteria set by the MIL-STD-130M standard. Merely setting the definition of product in accordance with the standard is not enough. The product designers have to take care of everything to satisfy the criteria. The detailed process starts from the geographic location of the products and size of the products to entire application process. Item identification marking is also important aspect for the product designers; the marking should have a Personal Identification number (PIN) for the item that has been marked and the supplier name. Another important point for product designers, while acquiring for a particular product from the Government acquiring agencies, it is mandatory to show the purchase order number and the contract number.

External links

* [http://www.id-integration.com MIL STD 130] - ID Integration, Inc. (IDI)
* [http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/Docs/uid/MIL-STD-130L%20Change1.pdf DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARD PRACTICE]