MIL-STD-130 Spec and Requirements for UID Marking

MIL-STD-130 spec and standards are approved by the DoD that provides insight and guidelines for implementation of the unique identification marking for the DoD assets. The standard is also accepted by all the departments and agencies of the DoD. The unique identification of the items is marked to the item according to the specified standard. In fact, the MIL-STD-130 spec satisfies the marking of the DoD items to be UID certified. The standard also specifies the marking technology formats of UID marking to maintain balance between markings of different items among the DoD. The process has simplified the item identification, item tracking and management process for the departments across the DoD.

According to the MIL-STD-130 spec, all the government furnished property, legacy items, newly purchased items, item deliverables and item under the possession of the contractors should be marked with unique identification. The UID is a set of data that contains necessary information about the particular part or the item. It is etched on the item directly or applied as label. The information is entered in the form of 2D data matrix barcode and is identified with the help of a barcode scanner.

The Items That Requires Unique Identification
The MIL-STD-130 spec has mandated that the items whose acquisition cost is more that $5000, that are managed by serial number, are consumables and part of controlled inventory, item that are mission critical are eligible to be uniquely identified with a UII.

Selection of UID Application Method
There are basically 2 methods of UID application- Direct part marking and application of UID labels. According to the MIL-STD-130 specification the method of marking a part or item should be selected on the basis of their requirements and functionality. For instance, if the environment of a part is not suitable for direct part marking, the application of UID label is the considered. However, the use of material in case of UID labels and the marking method for the direct part marking should be decided carefully considering the important aspects.

The Important Data Required for Unique Identification
The common data that are required for the unique identification marking of the items are part numbers, suppliers' ID, serial numbers, manufacturing method, etc. The MIL-STD-130 spec requires that the UID data should be in 2D data matrix code. The data are encoded and entered to the item directly (in Direct part marking) or entered on the UID nameplates or labels that are affixed to the items with the help of adhesive or screws. It has also been mandated that the UID data should contain human readable data along with the machine-readable barcodes.

Requirements of the UID Marking
The MIL-STD-130 spec has stated that the UID marking of the items should be permanent for the functional life time of the item. Hence, the contractors are required to decide the marking method carefully so that the marking can withstand difficult environmental conditions. As the UID of the item is a globally unique identification and play a critical role in item management, it is important to enter correct and unambiguous marking for the items.

Uid2go is a premier supplier of UID that are 100% verified and meet UID MIL-STD-130 spec requirements. It has helped numerous customers in and UID Registry to register data to the UID Central Registry.