AS9132 ? A Review Of The UID Standard

AS9132is basically a coding standard which identifies the quality uniformity andother technical requirements for Dot Peen marking and other metal componentsusing Data Matrix symbologies. In addition, this standard also defines thestandard criteria which are essential to ensure electronic scanning or readingof the symbol.

Asa new Unique Item Identifier (UID) coding standard, AS9132 is broadly used for DotPeen marking of Data Matrix codes. Extensive arrays of industries such asaerospace, automotive and medical have been concerned about direct marking andtraceability issues.

Dueto the superior reading and marking technologies of today, the conventional problemsfound during automated part tracking have been solved. It is noteworthy that theserevolutionary marking and reading technologies have helped numerous industriesto protect themselves against mistakes that usually take place duringconventional and manual tracking methods and procedures.

The Air TransportAssociation (ATA) has issued specific AS9132guidelines with regards to the direct part marking of aerospace components.These issued guidelines (SPEC 2000, Chapter 9) state that permanent partidentification must use bar code technology, especially Data Matrixsymbologies. The key objective is to mark a part with a ?unique identifier? toallow tracking of serialized parts during the full life cycle of parts andfacilitate the use of automated processes in parts handling. Chapter 9 has particularlymentioned data content although it has not defined quality or technicalrequirements for Dot Peen and other marking technologies.