The UID 2D Matrix is a successor to the traditional linear bar code and was a program created specifically for the Department of Defense to track their inventory. UID stands for "Unique Identification". It is used by the government to track purchases, maintain inventory, and account for all parts or hardware. A UID is created by combining a manufacturer's ID and part number with formatting and data transmission characters.
It greatly increases unique idenficiation on items where space is a premium and it enables more data to be printed in a smaller space. It also enables easy access to information regarding the Department of Defense's possessions that makes the repair and deployment of items faster and more effecient. An example of this would be having a small UID symbol etched on a computer chip versus using a long barcode. The UID symbol could be laser etched onto a chip using a fraction of the space required by a typical bar code.
The benefits to the DoD by UID Laser Marking 2D Matrix symbols on their parts are numerous. Having UID symbols laser etched on parts or sub-assembly's allows improved inventory accuracy, decreases inventory management costs, accurately sources items on property, improves access to part history during design or lifespan of an item and reduces workforce burden through increased productivity and efficiency.
UID marking is required on all items delivered to the Department of Defense with a unit acquisition value of $5,000.00 or greater, including all embedded sub-assemblies, mission essential components or parts that are serially managed by the DoD. The format of the mark must conform to the requirement of DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement).
It is now a requirement for all vendors that supply parts to the DoD have the ability to put UID symbols on each item as necessary. UID Laser Marking would be the best option. When using a laser to perform the etching, the mark would be permantent unlike ink, which could come off. The DoD has performed research to show that the UID printed on parts during the manufacturing process can be signficantly less prior to packaging and shipping. The 2D mark enables an automated approach to data capture and a means traceability throughout the life of an item.
Some of the other savings from using UID is eliminating the need to populate, edit, transcribe, correct or store forms for inventory. It can totally eliminate the need to have a person manually key data into a database related to a part or sub-assembly.
The benefit of using a laser etching or UID laser engraving system to apply the 2D symbol is that it cannot be simply washed off or peeled away like it could by using an inkjet or applying a label. Applying a label would require more time and could have multiple steps. One step would be to print the label. The next step would be to remove the label. The last step would be to apply the label to the part. This would be very labor intensive and costly if you have a large volume of parts sitting on a long assembly line. A laser marking system would pay for itself in a relatively short time.
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