User:Chrisjonnes/MIL-STD-130N

MIL STD 130N is a set of standards followed by the Department of Defense (DoD) concerning the proper requirements and methods of marking, identifying, and keeping track of military property in their possession. This includes anything that is produced, stocked, stored, or issued by or for the Department of Defense

Introduction
MIL-STD-130N standard, 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 the MIL-STD-130N and one of the reference documents that are cited in the MIL-STD-130N, this standard always takes precedence. For a comprehensive list of these documents, please refer to Section 2 of the 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 (Item Unique Identification) 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 the MIL-STD-130N for 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 (Machine Readable Information) 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 (Enterprise Identifier, which is used to distinguish between different organizations and activities) of the supplier or manufacturer as well as the PIN (Part or Identifying Number), 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. The exception to this is when Roman numerals are used to mark an object, in which case you should refer to the item’s specific documentation and standards in order to determine which font to use. The designation of “U.S.” or “US” should only be used 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.

Industry Specific Protocols
- ATA (Air Transport Association) 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 (Automotive Industrial Action Group) should mark all items in accordance with AIAG B-4 and AIAG B-17 standards as applicable.

- Manufacturers using the standards of the CEA (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 CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) 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 (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), 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 (TCJ5/4-I), Suite 100, 5971 Kingstowne Village Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22315.

Information Contained Within An MRI
Apart from specifications regarding how to mark an item with an MRI, there are also specifications regarding the minimum amount of information that must be contained within an MRI mark. This encoded information includes:

Non-IUID Items
- EID of the manufacturer or supplier of the item.

- Serial number or otherwise traceable number of the item.

- PIN of the item.

IUID Items
- EID of the activity that has assigned the serial number for UII Constructs #1 or #2.

- Serial number for UII Constructs #1 or #2.

- Current PIN, lot, or batch number of the item. If this changes, the new PIN, lot, or batch number may be encoded in a single Data Matrix symbol along with the UII data.

- The original PIN, batch, or lot number is used for IUID items that are serialized within a PIN.

- When using Construct #1, the Original Part Number may be used if both the current PIN and original PIN are the same.

- When using Construct #2, the original PIN, lot, or batch number must remain clearly identified and encoded in the MRI. If this number is changed by anyone other than the original manufacturer or supplier, the new PIN, lot, or batch number must also remain clearly identified.

In addition to the standard information contained within an MRI, duplicate items are sometimes assigned a UII (Unique Item Identifier). The UII is a numbered prefix given to items in the event of duplicate part number assignments on behalf of an enterprise so that each individual part can be easily identified.

Of course, there are exceptions to the MRI marking routine as well. COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) items that are clearly marked with some sort of commercial identification (firm name, logo, trademark, part number, etc) and are not subject to IUID marking may be exempt from additional marking requirements, as long as the item presents no identification difficulty. Furthermore, parts within an assembly or subassembly that are not expected to be removed, repaired, or replaced are exempt from MRI marking unless it is otherwise stated in the contract.

Legacy items sometimes need to be marked, as well. If it is determined that a legacy machine needs to be marked, the EID used to generate a UII must be of the organization ensuring uniqueness rather than any previous marks.

Marking Quality
Finally, there are also specifications regarding the marking quality of an MRI.

- Linear Bar Code: Unless otherwise specified in the contract or order, ISO/IEC 15416 is the protocol for measuring the print quality of a linear bar code.

- Data Matrix Symbol: There are a number of protocols that can be used for measuring the print quality of a data matrix symbol, at the supplier’s discretion. This includes ISO/IEC 15415, AIM DPM-1-2006, or SAE AS9132. If a data matrix symbol is ever found to be erroneous, unreadable, or otherwise unacceptable, two diagonal lines should be used to cross out the symbol in addition to two other lines (one horizontal, one vertical) through the two interrupted frame lines.

Marking Arrangements
- In a case where the Manufacturer is also the ODA (Original Design Activity), the marking should be arranged as follows:

ODA - CAGE or NCAGE (NATO Commercial and Government Agency) - 1234567-101.

- When a manufacturer is the CDA (Current Design Activity) but not the ODA, the following mark should be included in addition to the one above:

CDA – CAGE or NCAGE.

- Parts acquired from a manufacturer other than the design activity should have their markings arranged as follows:

ODA – 1234567-101

MFR – CAGE or NCAGE

- When the design activity is not the original activity, markings should be arranged as followed:

ODA – 1234567-101

CDA – CAGE or NCAGE

MFR – CAGE or NCAGE

- Assemblies and subassemblies that do not require identification plates should be marked as above, though the abbreviation “ASSY” should be included instead of a dash as followed:

CAGE or NCAGE, ASSY, 7654321-101
- Likewise, source control items should use the abbreviation “SOCN” in place of “ASSY” above.

- The free text marking for units, groups, and sets should be arranged as followed: Nomenclature, EID of the manufacturer or supplier, EID for IUID as applicable, serial or other traceable number, current PIN, original PIN, LOT, or batch number for IUID as applicable, acquisition instrument identification number.

- Any maintenance actions that are performed on any item should be marked as followed: EID of the repair facility, date of repair, applicable warranty extensions, contract, purchase, or repair order number

- ESDS (Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive) items and other electronic parts that are susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge should be marked with the ESDS symbol.

Non-exhaustive list of documents

 * H4 Handbook, a handbook containing vendor CAGE code details
 * H8 Handbook, another handbook containing vendor CAGE code details
 * MIL-STD-105, Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes (withdrawn)
 * MIL-STD-129, a standard is used for maintaining uniformity while marking
 * MIL-STD-130, a standard that is mandated by the DoD for any item to be UID compliance
 * MIL-STD-498, on software development and documentation