ID-Integration - UID Marking & Product Identification
ID
UID Registry - What is It?
posted on 11/03/2010 11:46 PM
If you manufacture products for the USA Department of Defense, otherwise known as the DOD, then you are required to meet certain requirements set forth by MIL STD 130N. This standard was put into place on December 17, 2007 as a way to standardize the labels for easier reading by a label reader. The part of this standard that dictates identification labels is dfars 252.211-7003. This document requires manufacturers to be UID compliant.UID stands for Unique Identifier and is used to identify the product. This article aims to give you a short overview of what UID compliance is, as well as give you a valuable resource to understand how you can meet these requirements.
UID is used to distinguish all items from one another. The specifications for dfars 252.211-7003 specify that certain things must be used by certain containers.
The first thing that the container must have is a 2D data matrix that includes data elements that are able to be read by a certain machine. These elements include the serial number, the lot or batch number, the part number, and the enterprise identifier, which is a uniquely assigned code that has been given to a vendor or manufacturer.UID readers can help with the process of reading these labels immensely. It can be very difficult to find a reader that is easy to use. In fact, without a reader, the process or reading these labels can be almost impossible.
The next thing that must be included is a stiff plastic or metal ID plate, identification label, identification tag, or identification band that is securely attached to the item, and must contain the ID of that item. In addition, the label must be placed in an area that is easily visible during normal operation.
In addition, the label must be able to withstand normal usage during the entire life of the item.
As you can see, there is a lot to understand when talking about UID compliance. Having a good reader can make your life so much easier. The experts at ID Integration know what it takes. Contact them at their website at http://www.id-integration.com.
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How to proceed with UID compliant
posted on 11/03/2010 11:39 PM
If you are a manufacturer that has a manufacturing contract with the United States of America Department of Defense, sometimes simply referred to as the DOD, then you must meet requirements of a standard known as MIL-STD-130 . MIL-STD-130 was put into effect on December 17, 2007 and dictates the standards used for labels on DOD products. The section of this standard that specifically dictates what type of labels are to be applied to DOD products is dfars 252.211-7003. This specification requires manufacturers with Department of Defense contracts to follow a system known as UID . UID stands for Unique Identifier, and is a specific identification number given to products that are used by the DOD. Since this is a requirement, it is absolutely imperative that any company with a DOD contract understands how to be UID compliant. This can sometimes be a difficult thing to understand. This article aims to inform manufacturers of the different things they must do in order to be UID compliant, as well as comply with mil-std-130 .
MIL-STD-130 dictates to usage of a system to distinguish any unique item from any other unique item. The UID standard, which is a part of MIL-STD-130 has a few things that must be done perfectly in order to ensure compliance.
The main thing that must be done is to ensure that the container used by the manufacturer has a 2D data matrix that s readable by a UID reader. MIL-STD-130 also dictates that you must include a serial number, vendor or manufacturer ID, or a lot or batch number. MIL-STD-130 also dictates that the UID must be visible at all times on the surface of the item. In addition, the UID must be able to withstand any conditions that the item is used in under normal use. This standard basically means that the label should not wear off.
Being sure that you are able to read UIDs is one of the most important things you can do as a manufacturer with a DOD contract. Make sure that you use UID readers that can handle all different types of UID labels. Look to the experts at id-integration.com for all of the UID reader information you may need.
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How UID Can Save You Time, Money, and Efficiency
posted on 06/17/2010 06:10 AM
The UID system can assist in the long-term tracking of various wares and sundries. Simple scans of UID compliant labels can increase flow of goods, lowers the cost of managing them, allows for more strategic purchasing strategies, and has a high return on accuracy for inventory counts.
All goods must include a UID for items over $5000 except in the cases where the item already possesses an unique tracking identifier. This could include a serial number such as on a weapon or a Vehicle Identification Number on a car. If a company wishes to do business with the Department of Defense or other government agencies, they will need to be compliant and use UID for their sundries.
Several different kinds of markings and labels exist that are compliant with UID policy. These can include shipping labels, laser etching and bonding, stenciling, and pinstamping. A variety of hand scanners and printers are available to help manage the flow of UID compliant materials to their respective destinations. Different solutions may work better for different companies depending on the product they are dealing with.
ID Integration, Inc. is a company dedicated to helping businesses find the solutions and equipment that work for them. Dealing with government regulations to stay compliant can be a taxing process. This is why we make it our business to provide you the expertise you need to keep your business with the government within regulation. For over fifteen years we have been providing UID shipping solutions and management to a wide array of contractors. Groups from divisions of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Army and Navy utilize our services and products for their UID compliance needs.
We are a veteran owned company, thus we take great pride in being able to ensure that our soldiers get the equipment they need in a timely fashion. If you are unsure of what equipment you need, we offer consultation to help work out the UID solution that best fits your company’s needs. Navigating government bureaucracy and standards can be difficult. We make it our job to know how to navigate these waters.
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Understanding MIL-STD-130 for UID Compliance
posted on 06/17/2010 06:09 AM
Items like cars that already have an identification number are excluded from this UID marking standard. Included in the standard of marking items is anything “produced, stocked, stored, or issued by the Department of Defense.” There are extensive rules involved in properly marking items that are under the DOD’s control.
UID Specific Marking Specifications
The most important rule to follow is making sure the identification tag, band, label or plastic identification plate is securely attached to the item. The UID marking can be fixed onto the surface of the item if it is visible, easily read, and permanent. The marking must be able to handle environmental turmoil and conditions.
Machine Readable Information or MRI is the preferred method of marking and should be used whenever practicable. If that method of UID is not possible, then the item must be marked in a way that will endure for the life cycle of the item.
For items that are too small to handle proper UID, the most important identification information should be marked. The Enterprise Identifier or EID (organization and activity distinguisher), PIN or Part Identifying Number, LOT or batch number of the marked item should be identified.
If there is not enough space on the item to properly mark the item, the package should identify the unit, following the guidelines of the UID standards.
Industry Specific Protocols
The marking standard has specific requirements for many different industries. Air transport, automotive, consumer electronics, manufactures using GS1 standards, and NASA should adhere to the protocols specific to their industry. Any MRI protocols that are different than the UID standards should request protocol inclusion from the Asset Visibility Division of the DOD.
The MRI explained
There are specifications and minimum requirements in place for how much information the UID mark includes. The EID, serial number, and PIN number as applicable. Duplicate items are often given a Unique Item Identifier or UII, “a numbered prefix given to items in the event of a duplicate part number assignments on behalf of an enterprise so that each individual part can be easily identified.”
Commercial Off the Shelf or COTS items are exempt from UID marking and additional requirements if the item is clearly identifiable with commercial identification information. Obviously, the DOD does not expect parts within an assembly to be identified so long as it is not expected to be repaired and replaced. However, it can be required if included in a specific contract.
Sometimes there are legacy items that need UID markings. The EID that is used to create a UII must be from the organization that ensures uniqueness as opposed to previous markings.
UID Marking Arrangements and Quality
Of course, there are further specifications regarding MRI marking quality. There is specific protocol for linear bar code and data matrix symbols. If the manufacturer is also the Original Design Activity or ODA there are additional protocols to follow. This subject is complicated and you should refer to the experts at ID-Integration for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIL_STD_130
http://www.id-integration.com/dodmilspec.htm
http://www.bergstrom-seo.com/clients/ID-integration/Articles/Summary_MIL-STD-130N_Spec.pdf
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posted on 01/27/2010 10:59 PM
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.
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