The basic objective of UID marking is to ensure quality product management through proper tracking and storage of production and maintenance information. The UID marking process is a complex process and includes many crucial steps. This process was initiated by the United States Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD created standards to make the UID identification process more specific and industry oriented for all suppliers and contractors with the U.S. Military.

MIL STD 130 is the approved standard that contains all the basic information about UID labels. In the points below we discuss some of the newer MIL-STD-130 marking requirements.

• ISO-16022 was so long regarded as the specified standard for barcodes and print quality for UID labels. The newer version replaces the ISO/IEC 15415 standard. UID MIL SPEC 130L requires all UID manufacturers/contractors to strictly follow ISO/IEC 15415 quality specifications for printing tags and labels.

• The specifications mentioned in ISO-15415 should be followed to print these labels. The process requires using a single scan to ensure the best resulting grade. These grades have been selected for contrast, readability, and other printing criteria as well.

• Specifications regarding data matrix symbols have also been revised and amended. In previous versions of MIL-STD-130 marking specifications, the range of the nominal x-dimension was 7.5 mil. The newer specification has changed to 25 mil. As for linear barcodes, B has been recommended as the minimum grade.

• As far as marking process was concerned, electrochemical etch and laser printing, were some of the most recommended methods. The new version of MIL STD 130 specifications for labels includes more rules. For instance, AIM-DPM-2006 is to be followed as the quality standard. This new version determines ‘C’ as the minimum grade for marking quality. According to this newer version, ISO 15415 has been recommended as approved standard for different codes.

• The new standard requires multiple angles of illumination when scanning barcodes. As for low angles, it requires 30 degree lighting from all sides. The same is required for one-sided and two-sided angles. 45 degrees is recommended for medium angle illumination. 90 degree angles can be used in cases of diffuse perpendicular illumination.

• The APM-DPM standard has been approved for all kinds of UID marking. Both off-axis illumination and diffuse illumination have been sanctioned as applicable methods. The newer version of MIL STD 130 N covers specifications of marking on curved surfaces.

MIL-STD-130 marking parameters are to be strictly followed by every UID manufacturer. To learn more about newer MIL STD 130 requirements for labels, visit www.uid2go.com.

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