AS9132 : A Tool That Ensures Quality Standardization

Currentcompanies working in the aerospace industry, automotive industry and medicalsectors are worried about direct marking and traceability issues. As a resultof present-day modern reading and marking technologies, problems linked to theconventional and manual marking methods have been solved by innovativeautomated marking technologies. This is why the AS9132 standard is widely usedfor Dot Peen marking of Data Matrix codes.

Peoplewho are not familiar with AS9132 might wonder what the standard entails. AS9132is a new Unique Item Identifier (UID) coding standard which defines the uniformity,quality and other technical requirements for Dot Peen marking and other metalcomponents using Data Matrix symbologies. This AS9132 standard also defines thestandard criteria crucial to ensure the electronic scanning or reading of thesymbol.

Specific AS9132 guidelines with regard to thedirect part marking of aerospace components have been issued by the AirTransport Association (ATA). These issued guidelines (SPEC 2000, Chapter 9)state that for permanent part identification items must use bar code technology,in particular Data Matrix symbols. The major objective is to mark a part with a'unique identifier? to allow tracking of serialized parts during the full lifecycle of the parts and facilitate the use of automated processes in partshandling. Chapter 9 has clearly discussed data content although technicalrequirements or quality for Dot Peen and other marking technologies has notbeen mentioned.