MIL-STD-130
MIL-STD-130, "Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property," is a specification that describes markings required on items sold to the Department of Defense, including the addition, in about 2005, of UII Data Matrix machine-readable information requirements. MIL-STD-130 describes the materials allowed, minimum text size and fonts, format, syntax and rules for identifying marks on a part, where to locate this marking plus exceptions and unique situations, such as vehicle identification numbers, cell phone IDs, etc. Other non-identifying markings—such as "this end up"—are covered under MIL-STD-129.
The purpose of the Department of Defense UII Registry is to have a single location where everything owned by the department is logged with purchase date, purchase price and dates when it is sent for repairs/refurbishment or taken out of commission. CLIN are entered automatically into the UID database if request for payment was made using a DD250 form and sent using the government portal WAWF. If there is any deviation from that, then third-party reporting software can be used to report.
Since 2005, MIL-STD-130 is most noted for the IUID data matrix, which is a square, pixelated barcode that when scanned connects the DoD user immediately to the record in the DoD UID Database. The UII data matrix does not contain information in itself. The construction rules exist to achieve the desired goal of a truly unique number for all time. There are several label-making software programs and a handful of scanner-verifiers on the market that achieve the required syntax of a DoD UID data matrix. There are also commercial data matrix that do not meet DoD standards, and the software that makes them is far less expensive; while they "look" the same they will not pass verification.
When clauses DFARS 252.211-7003 or DFARS 252.211-7007 are in the contract, assets and personal property priced at over $5,000 each on the contract or assets in the possession of the contractors costing over $5,000 must be marked with a unique serialized identification number in compliance with MIL-STD-130 either when the government buys them or as they are serviced.
MIL-STD-130 standard requires qualifying government furnished property in possession of contractors, and qualifying end item deliverables or legacy items to be marked with a machine-readable 2D data matrix barcode. There are several allowed methods for marking, the most common being a polyester or polyimide label marked with a thermal transfer printer. Other methods are: metal nameplate laser etched, metal plate metalphoto processed, direct part-marked by dot peen, ink jet, laser etch or chemical etch. The barcode must meet several quality specifications, pass a verification process with a grade of "B" or better, and "be as permanent as the normal life expectancy of the item and be capable of withstanding the environmental tests and cleaning procedures specified for the item to which it is affixed".
Unique identifier (UID)
Unique identifier or, also referred as Item Unique Identification in the DoD terminology, marks qualifying tangible items in the form of a number, character string, or sequence of bits assigned to a separate entity or its relevant attribute that uniquely distinguish it from other entities. The construction rules depend upon the serial number being unique to that part number or unique to the company. In practice, most companies construct the UID with Cage-part-serial. The general custom is that new acquisitions are marked using cage code in Format 06, while legacy is marked with DoDaac of the entity making the label, in format 06 also. The 17V means cage code and the 7L means DoDaac in the first position.Construct 1 is a quickie gap-filler that permits printing a string of cage-serial in sequence and carrying the strip to the location to slap them on any kind of item. When reporting these the DoD would like much additional information, anything that can be pulled off the nameplate such as description, manufacturer, dates, and other key info. However, many depots and hired hands doing this labeling are not including any info on what they're reporting so the DoD is going very cold on using Construct 1. Use Construct 1 for new sales ONLY if your plant makes only 1 item, more or less, and your software provides plenty of 'marks'--reports all the info that would exist on a well-filled out product label, including warranty info.
Processes of choosing MIL-STD-130
It is vital to use durable and permanent label solutions for UID-compliant process. The type of materials can range from aluminium, stainless steel, polyester or polyimide adhesive-backed stickers. However, the UID nameplates must meet MIL-STD-130 standards.Revisions of MIL-STD-130
The latest revision of MIL-STD-130 is MIL-STD-130N w/Change 1 dated 16 November 2012, superseding MIL-STD-130N dated 17 December 2007.MIL-STD-130N, which is made up of numerous other governmental and non-governmental specifications, standards, publications, and handbooks, is meant to be used as a guide in which to determine and impose the minimum needs of the government when designing a specific contract. If there any conflicts between MIL-STD-130N and one of the reference documents that are cited in MIL-STD-130N, this standard always takes precedence. For a comprehensive list of these documents, please refer to Section 2 of MIL-STD-130N.
However, there are many items that are excluded from this list, as they are either covered in other documentation, not subject to IUID marking, or they already carry an IUID-equivalent marking; such as the vehicle identification number on a car or an electronic serial number of a cell phone. Refer to Section 1.3 of MIL-STD-130N has a complete list of these items.
Marking specifications
For items that are under the control of the Department of Defense and subject for marking, there are many specifications that must be met for a proper mark. These requirements state that all marking must be applied to a metal or stiff plastic identification plate, identification band, identification tag, or identification label that is securely fastened to the item. Additionally, the marking may even be applied directly to the surface of the item itself – provided of course it can still meet the requirements described below.When possible, the marking must be placed in a location where it will be visible and easily read during normal operation and use of the item, and in a way that ensures the mark is permanent throughout the entire life expectancy of said item. It also necessary to make sure that the marking can withstand normal environmental conditions; including cleaning and rebuilding processes.
If this is not feasible using an MRI marking, then a marking should be used that will last until the item is expected to be rebuilt, if applicable. In the event that there is not enough open space on an item to ensure a proper IUID, then only the most essential information should be marked. This includes the EID of the supplier or manufacturer as well as the PIN, LOT, or batch number of the item. And finally, in the event that there is a lack of room whatsoever in which to place a proper IUID mark on the item, the marking may be placed on the packaging; as long as the mark abides by the guidelines listed in the paragraph above.
For human-readable information, the recommended minimum size for text is 0.2 centimeters, 0.08 inches; this also translates to 5.76 points. All letters should be in a sans-serif font, such as Arial, Futura, Trebuchet, or another sans-serif font, and numbers should be in Arabic numerals. The exception to this is when Roman numerals are used to mark an object, in which case the item's specific documentation and standards should be consulted to determine which font to use. The designation of "U.S." or "US" should be used only when specified elsewhere.
Whenever possible, MRI marking is the preferred method of IUID marking of the Department of Defense – though for some equipment and items free text marking may be specified. Limited to 50 characters in compliance with ISO/IEC 15459–4, all DFARS mandated marks must meet the minimum of a Data Matrix ECC 200 symbol using ISO/IEC 15434 syntax with the semantics of ISO/IEC 15418 or ATA CSDD. For items that are not subject to DFARS mandated marking, the Data Matrix ECC 200 symbol using ISO/IEC 15434 syntax and the semantics of ISO/IEC 15418 or ATA CSDD is preferred.
Unless specified below, MH10.8.7 is the MRI marking protocol that should be used to mark all items.
An example of a MIL-STD-130 2D matrix using ATA CSDD Text Element Identifiers >
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Industry-specific protocols
- ATA should mark all items in accordance with SPEC2000 for linear bar code symbols. For Data Matrix symbols, ATA CSDD and ISO/IEC 15434 syntax with format indicator "12" are to be used.
- AIAG should mark all items in accordance with AIAG B-4 and AIAG B-17 standards as applicable.
- Manufacturers using the standards of the Consumer Electronics Association should mark all items in accordance with the MH10.8.7 and CEA-706 standards as applicable. Although this protocol allows for other manufacturer codes, a Commercial and Government Entity code code accompanied by the appropriate Data Identifier is recommended as the manufacturer ID.
- Manufacturers using the standards of GS1 should mark all items in accordance with the GS1 standards as applicable.
- For DoD actions that directly support NASA, the marking standards of NASA shall be implemented. These standards can be found in NASA-STD-6002; a detailed how-to guide for implementing these standards can be found in NASA-HDBK-6003.
- MRI protocols other than those listed above should be approved by USTRANSCOM TCJ5/4-I Asset Visibility Division. Requests for protocol inclusion can be sent to DOD Logistics AIT Office, Suite 100, 5971 Kingstowne Village Parkway, Alexandria, Virginia 22315.