RFID in Shipping and Tracking

RFID stands for Radio-frequency identification, is an automatic identification method using RFID tags or transponders. It is incorporated into the product for the purpose of indentification using radio waves. RFID tracking is done in enterprise.

supply chain management to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management. Passive, Active and semi-passive are general varieties of RFID tags.

RFID eliminates shipping errors and increases the shipping accuracy. It avoids the cost of returning the incorrectly shipped materials, and re-shipping the correct ones.

RFID tags has many important advantages over bar codes in packaging. While current bar codes are limited to a single type of code for a particular product, RFID tag capacity is large enough to each individual tag will have a unique code. It helps to track the products when it moves from location to location.

The value of entire RFID market in 2008 will be $5.29 billion. This is a $4.93 billion up from 2007. RFID is increasingly used in the supply chain and replacing bar codes with something more reliable and versatile.

The high cost of RFID chips is one factor cited as a major barrier to the wider introduction of the technology.

Military Packaging

Military Packaging should be done in order to protect harmful materials and to meet the most severe worldwide shipment, handling, and storage conditions. The military owns and operates extremely sensitive equipment. Military Packaging must also be capable of protecting these sensitive equipment from the effects of direct exposure to extremes of climate, terrain, and operational and transportation environments. If this item reaches its destination in a damaged condition then, all engineering, manufacturing, quality, and procurement efforts will end up in vain. The leaders in manufacturing and designing industry of Military packaging will be able to meet the needs of corporate world. Packaging should follow military Packaging specification. Preservation & packing to all military specifications including Mil-Std-2073, and Military Barcode Labels including Mil-Std-129 specifications. There are Military packaging companies which provide Services and consulting for this and help you to incorporate the right corrosion prevention and control system within your manufacturing process to achieve zero rust.

Barcode Label

A Barcode Label is a machine-readable representation of information. Each label contains a unique serial number coded in black and white bars that was a key into a database containing detailed information.Originally, barcodes stores data in the widths and spacing of printed parallel lines, but now it comes in patterns of dots, concentric circles, and text codes hidden within images. Bar code is vertically redundant, meaning that the same information is repeated vertically. It is in fact a one-dimensional code. Without loosing any information the heights of the bars can be truncated. A two-dimensional code stores information along the height as well as the length of the symbol. The vertical redundancy allows a symbol with printing defects, such as spots or voids, to still be read. The higher the bar heights, the more probability that at least one path along the bar code will be readable. Objects, such as military packaging are marked for exterior labeling and are provided for easily locating information.

Two Dimensional Bar Code and Linear Bar code Standards

ISO/IEC 15434, ‘Transfer Syntax for high Capacity ADC Media’

This international Standard specifies a transfer structure, syntax, and coding of messages and data formats when using high capacity ADC media between suppliers and recipients trading partners, and wherever they are applicable. This International Standard will not replace any applicable safety or regulatory military marking and labeling requirements.

ISO/IEC 15438, ‘Automatic Identification and Data Capture Techniques – PDF417′

This Standard outlines the requirements for bar code symbology known as PDF417. It specifies PDF417 symbology characteristics, data characteristics, data character encodation, symbol formats, dimensions, error correction rules, decoding algorithm, and a number of application parameters.

ISO/IEC 15418, ‘EAN/UCC Application Identifiers and Fact Data Identifiers and Maintenance’

This Standard specifies set of data and application identifiers for the purpose of identifying encoded data; and identifies the organizations responsible for their maintenance.

ISO/IEC 15394, ‘Packaging – Bar Code and Two-Dimensional Symbols for Shipping, Transport and Receiving Labels’

This Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the design of labels containing linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols on transport units to transfer data between trading partners. This Standard provides

• Traceability of transported units through a single transport unit identifier that is known as license plate.
• Provides ideas related to the choice of linear bar code, two-dimensional symbologies and quality requirements.
• Provides assistance in the selection of label material, label placement, size of label, formation of data presented in liner barcode label, two-dimensional symbol etc

ANSI MH10.8.1, ‘Linear Bar Code and Two-Dimensional Symbols Used in Shipping Packaging, Receiving, and Transport Applications’

This is an American National Standard which specifies the minimum requirements for the design of labels containing linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols on shipping packaging units to convey data between trading partners.

ISO/IEC 16388, ‘Information Technology – Automatic Identification and Data Capture Techniques – Bar Code Symbology Specifications – Code 39′

This Standard specifies the requirements for the bar code symbology known as Code 39; it specifies Code 39 symbology characteristics, data character encodation, dimensions, tolerances, decoding algorithms and application-defined parameters.

Overview of Military Packaging Standards:

We discuss here about standards followed for military products to prevent from corrosion and rust. We also discuss about Military Marking for Shipment and Storage, Military Packaging Requirements, Marking for Military Property.

• MIL STD 129P
• MIL STD 2073 1D
• MIL STD 130M

Information about the Standard Practices:

MIL-STD-129P, ‘Standard Practice for Military Marking for Shipment and Storage

This standard outlines provides the minimum requirements for uniform military marking and procedures for their application. The purpose of this standard has been changed. It is intended for the application of military packaging markings to items intended for transportation and storage within the military distribution system, i.e., for marking of material that is stored and/or moved within or between DoD facilities.

MIL-STD-2073 1D, ‘Standard Practice for Military Packaging Requirements’

This outlines standard processes for the development and documentation of military packaging, as distinct from commercial packaging. This standard covers methods of preservation to protect material against environmentally induced corrosion and deterioration, physical and mechanical damage, and other forms of degradation during storage, multiple handling, and shipment associated with the military distribution system.

MIL-STD-130M, ‘Identification Marking for Military Property’

This standard provides the item marking criteria for development of specific marking requirements and methods for identification of items of military property produced, stocked, stored and issued by or for the Department of Defense. This standard addresses criteria and data content for both free text and machine-readable information (MRI) applications of item identification marking.