| What is MIL-STD-130N? | | | | Enterprise Identifier, the PIN number of the item, |
| The Department of Defense has hundreds of | | | | and the Lot or Batch number. If there is no room |
| standards by which they operate. MIL-STD-130N, | | | | on the item for any type of mark, the packaging |
| or Mil Spec 130, is one of these specifications that | | | | may be marked with all of the required |
| outlines the correct requirements and procedures | | | | information. |
| for marking, identifying, and tracking all military | | | | · In order for the information on the markings to |
| property. Anything that is warehoused, supplied, | | | | be readable, the minimum font size recommended |
| made, or issued by the any branch of the | | | | is .08 inches. Mil Spec 130 also has specific font |
| Department of Defense is required to be marked | | | | recommendations. |
| in accordance with Mil Spec 130. | | | | · Machine Readable Information (MRI) is the |
| There are some items that don’t fall under Mil | | | | preferred system of marking and Mil Spec 130 |
| Spec 130 guidelines because they may be included | | | | outlines the formats that it must follow. A specific |
| in other standards, not required to be marked | | | | MRI marking protocol is required unless the items |
| with a Item Unique Identification (IUID), or are | | | | call for certain industry specific marking protocols. |
| marked in some other way. One example is | | | | · The required information included in an MRI is: |
| vehicles, because they are already marked with a | | | | the Enterprise Identifier of the manufacturer; the |
| Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). | | | | serial number; the current PIN, lot, or batch |
| Specifications for Marking and Quality | | | | number; the current PIN, lot, or batch number; |
| Mil Spec 130 requires the following criteria be | | | | and in the case of duplicate part numbers, Unique |
| followed for proper marking. | | | | Item Identifiers (UII) must be assigned and |
| · The marking must be on some type of stiff | | | | included. |
| identification plate, band, tag, or label that is firmly | | | | · Mil Spec 130 also contains strict guidelines |
| affixed to the article. The identifying mark can be | | | | concerning the quality of the IUID marking. This |
| put directly onto the item’s surface as long | | | | includes specific protocols for the linear bar code |
| as it is clearly visible while the item is in operation | | | | and print quality of the data matrix symbol. |
| and it will last through the life expectancy of that | | | | Conclusion |
| item. The mark must also be able to hold up to | | | | Interpretation of all the requirements and |
| conditions in its surrounding environment. | | | | specifications of Mil Spec 130 is complicated, at |
| · If an item is not large enough for a full IUID, Mil | | | | best. The experts at ID Integration, a company |
| Spec 130 requires that at least the most | | | | specializing in industrial marking systems, are |
| important information be included on the mark. | | | | experienced with every aspect of this particular |
| The information that must be included is the | | | | military standard. |