| The Department of Defense has defined vendors’ | | | | of label media. |
| instructions and requirements for IUID marking and | | | | Data Plates: |
| submission of IUID data to the UID Registry. IUID | | | | The data plates for IUID marking are either created |
| marking includes an encoded data string applied to the | | | | in-house or ordered from the suppliers. In case the |
| item as 2D Data Matrix Symbol. MIL-STD-130 is the | | | | data plates are supplied by the DoD contractors, the |
| governing document with the instructions for the | | | | suppliers have to ensure that the plates contain |
| application of 2D Data Matrix and regarded as DoD | | | | correct IUID data and are affixed to the correct items. |
| Standard Practice for IUID marking of US Military | | | | Generally, data plates are made up of metals that |
| property. | | | | allow them to resist adverse environmental conditions |
| IUID Marking Options | | | | and chemicals. The advantage of data plates over |
| As the IUID marking is affixed to or etched on an item | | | | adhesive label is that they can be attached to the |
| to identify it throughout its functional life time, it is | | | | items screws, rivets and other fasteners where the |
| essential to give prime consideration to the marking | | | | adhesive doesn’t work. The disadvantage of data |
| methodologies. The MIL-STD-130 has allowed two | | | | plates is they require expensive equipments for |
| types of IUID marking methods for the DoD items- | | | | manufacturing. Again, it requires expense to marking |
| indirect part marking and direct part marking. | | | | process, fasteners and skilled labours for affixing the |
| Indirect Part Marking: | | | | plates. |
| With indirect part marking, a tag, label or nameplate is | | | | Direct Part Marking: |
| attached to the item that contains the IUID data as 2D | | | | Direct part marking is the process of directly etching |
| Data Matrix symbol. There are also two options for | | | | the IUID data to the items that require IUID marking. Ink |
| indirect part marking: | | | | jet printing, chemical etching, dot peening, laser bonding, |
| Label Printing: | | | | and laser etching are the main techniques of direct |
| It is the best option for the DoD contractors to satisfy | | | | part marking. However, while applying this marking |
| their marketing needs for the DoD items where a | | | | technology the structural tolerances and composition |
| permanent adhesive label can be affixed. The method | | | | of the items are taken into consideration. The process |
| uses two technologies – thermal transfer on | | | | of direct part marking (DPM) is preferred for its |
| demand printers and direct thermal- for critical barcode | | | | durability and space efficiency. As the symbols are not |
| labeling applications such as aerospace, manufacturing, | | | | read optically, they can perform despite of being |
| logistics and other industries. The thermal-transfer | | | | covered by dirt or paint. But this IUID marking |
| printers work with wide range of durable media and | | | | technology has a serious disadvantage. In case the |
| best for outstanding printing quality. Direct thermal | | | | symbol is not applied correctly, the item is wasted. |
| printer applies heat directly to the chemically treated | | | | While applying the IUID marking, the contractors need |
| media. The advantage of the method is that it is a | | | | to decide the marking methodology for the items. |
| cost effective method for in-house IUID marking option | | | | provides complete solutions for IUID and IUID Marking |
| and simplifies the work of the operators to load media. | | | | related needs. also provides complete solutions to |
| However, the down side is that the thermal | | | | meet new DoD direct part marking requirements. |
| transfer-printers are inadequate with their capabilities | | | | |