U2ID Selector® US and Foreign Patents Pending

The U2ID Selector® is a tool that offers a robust method to quickly and easily identify a technically appropriate and cost effective marking technique for each part considered. Employing Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) principles, a team of equipment experts, guided by a trained facilitator, utilizes the software application to make parts marking decisions. This ensures that the people who are sensitive to the hazards of the equipment in its operating environment, as well as the technical approving authorities, participate in the decision process. Furthermore, the software application is tailored specifically to each organization’s needs.
Key Functions of the U2ID Selector®


1. Stores part data and a digital image

Valuable component data is captured during the parts marking analysis such as other part numbers, parent-child relationships, NSN, Cage Code, and cost information. The U2ID Selector® stores the information and allows easy retieval by offering the ability to sort, search, and run reports. A digital image allows easy identification of the part.

2. Determine the most technically appropriate and cost effective marking technique

For each parts marking candidate, the Working Group answers a series of questions designed to identify the optimum marking option and eliminate marking technologies that are evidently inadequate. If there is more than one technically appropriate marking application, a cost analysis is performed to determine the most cost-effective choice which considers issues such as tooling, fixturing, and manhours.

The cost benefit analysis determines the approximate cost of using a marking technology on a given part. Areas to be considered: tooling, fixturing, man-hours, experience, quantity, frequency, material, destruction probability, etc.

3. Identify location on the part to place the mark

The U2ID Selector® allows the review of several key part characteristics that must be considered when determining where on the component to place the 2-D matrix such as marking real estate, the part's shape dimensions, surface characteristics, and material makeup.

Whenever practicable, the location of the marking on the item shall ensure its visibility during normal operation of the item, as per MIL-STD-130L, page 10, paragraph 4.2.

Also, when evaluating where to mark a 2-D matrix on a part, it is important to look at several key factors that will determine which marking application is most appropriate. These factors include, but are not limited to, marking real estate, a parts form/dimension, surface roughness, material makeup, etc.

4. Identify the best opportunity to mark the part

Identifying when to mark an item may come as a significant task for some organizations. A good parts marking strategy produces the best business advantage with minimal cost and equipment down time. Capturing marking candidates can be done in several ways. The U2ID Selector® helps organizations to identify the best opportunity to mark parts such as: Opportunistic Parts Marking; Seek-and-Mark Parts Marking; and Gated Parts Marking.

  • Opportunistic Parts Marking can be accomplished in the field, factory, or wherever it is convenient to mark parts (e.g. phase maintenance, scheduled maintenance, depot, overhaul, etc.).
  • Seek-and-Mark Parts Marking is dependent on establishing the location and availability of parts before deployment of marking equipment and marking teams. The location of the parts must be determined in advance through supply chain management.
  • Gated Parts Marking allows interception of items at certain locations within the supply chain to ensure items do not make it to the maintenance environment unmarked.

5. Provides an audit trail

Parts marking decisions are maintained within the U2ID Selector® which offers a robust audit trail. Justification for all decisions can be easily accessed at any time.

6. Generate Parts Marking Instructions

Upon final approval, Parts Marking Instructions are prepared and distributed to parts marking technicians. Parts Marking Instructions contain the information required to mark the part including other information such as alternate part numbers, a general safety guidance reference number, parts marking instructions, where the mark is the be physically placed on the part, and any special installation instructions necessary. A digital image is provided for visual reference.