Trust but verify. That well-known phrase typically applies
to U.S. foreign affairs. But it could also come to mind among defense
contractors who are dealing with requirements for Item Unique Identification
(IUID) of products they produce for the military.
IUID requires contractors to label each piece of equipment
they make for the military with a Unique Identifier, or UID, that facilitates
tracking of the item throughout its lifetime. The requirement is met by placing
a 2-D Data Matrix symbol on the equipment, which contains the identifying
information in a specific format. (ID Integration Inc. has much useful
information on this topic on its website, www.id-integration.com.)
Another step in the process is IUID verification: The
process of making sure the Data Matrix symbol is legible and of high enough
quality to perform well in the field. An IUID verification system consists of
both hardware and software components to evaluate each Data Matrix and assign
it a grade.
For a defense contractor, one of the worst times to find out
that UID labels are sub-standard
is when an order is completed and sitting in the warehouse, about to be
shipped. (Of course, an even worse case is that the equipment has been shipped
to DoD but rejected because of problems with the UID labels.) To avoid these
headaches — and possible loss of defense business — integrating an IUID
verification system in the production process early on is ideal. Expert IUID
integrators, such as those at ID Integration Inc., can help determine how
verification can work best for a particular manufacturer. In general, the
earlier the UID labels can be verified, the better. The Data Matrix symbol may
get a failing grade due to a number of factors, including lack of contrast with
its background or unevenness of the individual cells that make up the Data
Matrix code. Identifying the problem and repairing the label-making equipment
early on will prevent wasteful production of many more defective labels. The
DoD requirements for IUID verification are found in MIL-STD-130, which is
available through the ID Integration
website.
If labels are purchased from an outside vendor, it’s still a
good idea for contractors to spot-check their quality using their IUID verification system.
While IUID systems can be a substantial investment, their
payoff can be significant. In addition to achieving compliance with DoD
regulations, contractors can use an IUID system to track equipment while it’s
going through the production process at their own facility.