subject: What Needs To Be Known About Iuid [print this page] The MIL-STD-130N is a set of standards that are used to allow the Department of Defense to keep track of the equipment it possesses. A Item Unique Identification or IUID marking is part of the specs that the standard requires for items in inventory that do not already have such an identifier, like the VIN on automobiles or the electronic serial numbers on cell phones. Section1.3 of the standard notes which items may be exempt from having an IUID.
Items that are under the control of the DOD and are subject to the IUID standards must bear markings that are consistent with the above standard. It is required that the IUID be in some fashion permanently attached to the part, such as a stiff metallic or plastic plate, an identification band, tag or label, or applied to the surface of the part. All these applications must meet the requirements set forth in MIL-STD-130N. The marking is expected to last throughout the life cycle of the item thus marked.
If at all possible the IUID should be in a Machine Readable Information format such as a barcode or tag. If not then the marking should be in a format that is expected to last until the item is rebuilt, if applicable. In the event the part is not large enough for a full tag then the essential information about the item should be marked including the Enterprise Identifier, in order to distinguish between the different organizations and activities covered by this specification. Also the Part Identifier number and Lot or batch number of the manufacturer should be included.
It is recommended that the size of the print for an IUID be no less than 0.2 centimeters 0.08 inches which is equivalent to 5.67 points. Letters should be in a sans serif font such as Arial, Futura, or Trebuchet.
Whenever possible MRI format is preferred for inventory and stock control. The standards to be used should comply with ISO/IEC 15459-4, ISO/IEC-15434, and ISO/IEC 15418.
