Your drawing says "mark per MIL-STD-130." Your PO calls out "ASTM F992 Type IV." Your quality team wants a grade to "ISO/IEC 29158." If those strings of letters and numbers look like alphabet soup, you are not alone. This guide explains, in plain English, what each code on our site means, who asks for it and what it changes about your part or tag.

Why should you care? Because the code on your drawing decides three things:

·         Whether your part passes inspection. A tag that looks fine but misses the spec can get the whole shipment rejected at receiving.

·         Whether you get paid. On many defense and aerospace contracts, the mark is a line item. No good mark, no acceptance, no invoice.

·         Whether the part can be traced. A good mark lets anyone scan the part years later and know exactly what it is, where it came from and what it has been through.

We group the codes three ways: tags and data plates, direct part marking by industry, and the barcode quality and data format codes that sit behind all of them.

Part 1: Tags and data plates

These codes cover the tags, nameplates and data plates that get riveted, screwed or wired onto equipment.

MIL-STD-130

What it stands for: Military Standard 130, "Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property." It is the Department of Defense (DoD) rulebook for putting a permanent ID on military items, including the UID (Unique Identification) Data Matrix code that gives each item its own serial identity.

Who asks for it: Defense primes, their subcontractors and military depots. Anyone building parts or equipment the DoD tracks by serial number.

What it means for your part or tag: The item gets a Data Matrix code (the ECC 200 type) plus human-readable text, and the mark has to stay readable for the life of the item. It can go directly on the part or on a plate or tag attached to it.

How Apollo helps: We mark UID Data Matrix codes on black anodized aluminum tags and on direct part marks, and we can send a verification report with the job. Our stainless UID tags are designed to MIL-STD-130, pending tests.

You'll see it when... your drawing or contract says "mark per MIL-STD-130" or "IUID required."

DFARS 252.211-7003

What it stands for: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement clause 252.211-7003, "Item Unique Identification and Valuation." It is a contract clause, not a technical standard.

Who asks for it: Defense contractors, who pass it down to their subcontractors and suppliers.

What it means for your part or tag: This clause is the reason you need a UID mark in the first place. It applies to delivered items with a unit cost to the government of $5,000 or more, plus any other items the contract lists. It says the UID must be a Data Matrix, the data inside must follow ISO/IEC 15434, the mark must follow MIL-STD-130, and the contractor must verify that the mark is machine readable.

How Apollo helps: We build UID tags to the data and format the clause calls for, and every UID order can include a verification report so you have proof for your customer.

You'll see it when... your defense PO or contract includes clause 252.211-7003 and you suddenly need UID tags.

MIL-DTL-15024 Type L

What it stands for: Military Detail Specification 15024, which covers identification plates, tags and nameplates for military equipment. Type L is the laser generated plate type.

Who asks for it: Military and defense equipment builders, shipyards and depots that need equipment ID and data plates.

What it means for your part or tag: The plate must be made the way the spec describes, from the material to how the marking is made, so it holds up in service. Type L means the marking is laser generated.

How Apollo helps: We make Type L Class 1 plates in black anodized aluminum, from 0.005 to 0.0625 in thick. We also offer photo-quality laser annealed stainless plates as Type L, subject to customer approval.

You'll see it when... a military equipment drawing calls for an ID plate or data plate "per MIL-DTL-15024."

ASTM F992

What it stands for: ASTM International standard F992, "Standard Specification for Valve Label Plates." It covers valve label plates used on ships. The standard sorts plates by type, and Type IV is engraved brass.

Who asks for it: Shipbuilders, Navy and commercial marine yards, and valve and piping suppliers.

What it means for your part or tag: Each valve gets a plate showing its system number, valve number and what the valve does. On a Type IV brass plate the letters are engraved into the metal, not printed on the surface, so they survive paint, salt air and years of handling.

How Apollo helps: Our engraved brass valve tags are designed to ASTM F992 Type IV. We use 532 nm green lasers, which mark brass crisply.

You'll see it when... a ship or marine piping job asks for valve tags "per ASTM F992."

ASME BPVC UG-119

What it stands for: Paragraph UG-119 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section VIII, Division 1. It sets the rules for the nameplate on a pressure vessel.

Who asks for it: Pressure vessel, tank and boiler fabricators, and the shops that build skids and process equipment.

What it means for your part or tag: The nameplate has minimum sizes so an inspector can read it for the life of the vessel. Plates are at least 0.020 in thick, with characters at least 5/32 in tall, cut or raised at least 0.004 in.

How Apollo helps: We make nameplates to the UG-119 dimensions in brass, stainless or aluminum. One important point: the ASME Certification Mark is stamped by the vessel Certificate Holder, not by Apollo. We make the plate, and the vessel maker applies the mark.

You'll see it when... you build an ASME code vessel and need a nameplate blank or a finished plate to the UG-119 rules.

Part 2: Direct part marking by industry

Sometimes there is no tag at all. The code goes straight onto the part. Each industry has its own rulebook for that.

Defense: MIL-STD-130 again

MIL-STD-130 (covered above) also applies when the UID is marked directly on the part instead of on a tag. We laser mark Data Matrix codes on metal parts to MIL-STD-130 and grade them on request.

Aerospace: SAE AS9132

What it stands for: SAE Aerospace Standard 9132, "Data Matrix Quality Requirements for Parts Marking."

Who asks for it: Aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers.

What it means for your part or tag: It sets the quality a Data Matrix must meet when it is marked straight onto a metal part by laser, dot peen or electrochemical marking. The goal is a code that scans every time across the life of the part.

How Apollo helps: We laser mark codes directly on your parts and check them to AS9132. This is quoted on request.

You'll see it when... an aerospace drawing or quality flowdown says "mark and verify per AS9132."

Aerospace: ATA Spec 2000, Chapter 9

What it stands for: Airlines for America (formerly the Air Transport Association) Spec 2000, Chapter 9, "Automated Identification and Data Capture."

Who asks for it: Airlines, aircraft parts makers and repair shops (MROs).

What it means for your part or tag: It sets how aircraft parts carry permanent marks and data plates, so a part can be identified and tracked through its whole service life, from the factory through every repair.

How Apollo helps: We quote aviation part data plates and direct marks when your PO calls for Spec 2000. If the plate carries a Data Matrix, we can grade it to ISO/IEC 29158 and ISO/IEC 15415.

You'll see it when... an airline or MRO customer asks for parts or plates "per ATA Spec 2000 Ch. 9."

Automotive: AIAG B-17

What it stands for: The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) guideline B-17 for 2D direct part marking.

Who asks for it: Car makers and their Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers tracking parts through production.

What it means for your part or tag: Parts carry a 2D code marked right on the part, so the plant can track it through every station and trace it later if there is a recall.

How Apollo helps: We laser mark Data Matrix codes on parts to the B-17 guideline and grade them on request.

You'll see it when... an automotive customer's supplier manual calls for "2D DPM per AIAG B-17."

Medical: GS1 DataMatrix and FDA UDI (21 CFR 801.45)

What it stands for: GS1 is the global barcode system used in retail and healthcare. The GS1 DataMatrix guideline explains how to build a Data Matrix with GS1 data. FDA UDI means Unique Device Identification, and 21 CFR 801.45 is the federal rule that says certain medical devices must carry a permanent ID marked on the device itself.

Who asks for it: Medical device makers and reprocessors, plus companies that use GS1 codes for traceability.

What it means for your part or tag: Devices that are used more than once and reprocessed between uses must carry the UDI on the device, not just on the box. That mark has to survive cleaning and sterilization and still scan.

How Apollo helps: We mark GS1 formatted Data Matrix codes and grade them to ISO/IEC 29158. This is marking service work, quoted on request.

You'll see it when... a device maker needs UDI direct marks on reusable instruments.

Part 3: The barcode quality and data format codes

These four codes sit behind everything above. They define the code itself, how the data inside is arranged and how the mark is graded.

ISO/IEC 16022

What it stands for: The international standard that defines the Data Matrix code itself.

Who asks for it: Everyone who uses Data Matrix codes, usually by way of another spec like MIL-STD-130.

What it means for your part or tag: It is the definition of the little square code: how it is built and how it is read. When a spec says "Data Matrix ECC 200," this is the standard behind it.

How Apollo helps: Every Data Matrix we mark follows it.

You'll see it when... a spec refers to the Data Matrix "per ISO/IEC 16022."

ISO/IEC 15434

What it stands for: The international rule for how data is arranged inside a high capacity code like a Data Matrix.

Who asks for it: Anyone using UID or other coded tags: defense, aerospace and automotive.

What it means for your part or tag: Think of it as the grammar of the code. It lets any scanner tell a part number from a serial number from a company ID. Get the format wrong and the code scans, but the customer's system cannot use it.

How Apollo helps: We encode your data in the right format inside every UID Data Matrix.

You'll see it when... your UID or traceability requirements call for "ISO/IEC 15434 syntax."

ISO/IEC 29158

What it stands for: The international method for grading the quality of codes marked directly into metal and other parts. You may also hear it called the DPM (direct part mark) quality guideline.

Who asks for it: Defense, aerospace, automotive and medical buyers who need proof that a direct marked code will scan.

What it means for your part or tag: A code marked into metal looks different from one printed on paper, so it gets graded a different way. This standard gives the mark a grade, and many specs set a minimum grade you must hit.

How Apollo helps: We grade marks with a verifier and can send a verification report.

You'll see it when... a spec asks for a minimum DPM grade "per ISO/IEC 29158."

ISO/IEC 15415

What it stands for: The international method for grading the print quality of 2D codes.

Who asks for it: The same buyers who ask for ISO/IEC 29158. Many specs call for a minimum grade.

What it means for your part or tag: Each code gets a letter or number grade, like a report card. A better grade means the code scans faster and more reliably on more scanners.

How Apollo helps: Our verification reports state the grade, so you can hand it straight to your customer or inspector.

You'll see it when... your quality plan or PO says "minimum grade per ISO/IEC 15415."

Quick reference

Code	Plain-English meaning	Industry
MIL-STD-130	DoD rules for permanent item ID, including the UID Data Matrix	Defense
DFARS 252.211-7003	Contract clause that says when an item needs a UID mark	Defense
MIL-DTL-15024 Type L	Military ID plates and tags, laser generated type	Defense, marine
ASTM F992	Valve label plates on ships (Type IV is engraved brass)	Marine
ASME BPVC UG-119	Nameplate rules for pressure vessels	Pressure vessels, process equipment
SAE AS9132	Data Matrix quality for parts marked directly	Aerospace
ATA Spec 2000 Ch. 9	Permanent marks and data plates on aircraft parts	Aviation
AIAG B-17	2D codes marked directly on car parts	Automotive
GS1 DataMatrix / FDA UDI (21 CFR 801.45)	GS1 coded Data Matrix and permanent medical device ID	Medical, healthcare
ISO/IEC 16022	The definition of the Data Matrix code itself	All
ISO/IEC 15434	How data is arranged inside the code	All coded marks
ISO/IEC 29158	Quality grade for codes marked into parts	All direct marks
ISO/IEC 15415	Print quality grade for 2D codes	All 2D codes

Not sure which code applies

Send us your drawing, PO or spec callout. We will read it, tell you which codes apply and quote the job. You do not need to know the code. That is our job.

We mark to the spec. Verification reports on request.

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