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The Data Matrix part marking system is useful in keeping track of a wide range of parts such as this ball grid array, used on electronic circuit boards. (NASA/MSFC)

Release: 01-376

NASA’s Technology developed at Marshall Center helps NASA track millions of space parts reliably and efficiently

How do you keep track of millions of parts — some of them dime-sized or even smaller — in an efficient, unified and safe way?

That was the question facing NASA engineers. And the Technology Transfer Department at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., came up with an answer. 

The solution has now been endorsed for NASA-wide application.  The NASA Technical Standards Program Office has issued technical standards products covering the use of compressed symbology — specifically, approving a marking system known as Data Matrix — to identify the millions of parts used in the space agency.

The Marshall Center originally developed this form of compressed symbology, a two-dimensional ID-marking system, in response to the aerospace industry’s specialized needs for parts tracking.

NASA, for instance, must track a vast number and range of parts, including tiny electronic components no larger than a dime.  And, the agency’s top priority is safety, with another key focus being efficiency in operations.  To meet these challenges, the familiar barcode system has been used extensively throughout the

space agency. Since the mid-1980s, this tracking technology has saved NASA millions of dollars annually through automatic data entry from manufacturing work orders and other paper media.

Barcode labels, however, don’t work well on many parts, especially miniature items. Even with small barcodes, the sticky labels come off, contaminating the process with glue and paper.

To alleviate the problem, Marshall Center engineers in the mid-1980s identified a two-dimensional matrix symbol that is capable of storing -- in the same amount of space -- up to 100 times as much information as a one-dimensional, linear barcode. The matrix symbol is a small, square-shaped mark resembling a checkerboard and is marked permanently on the surface of the part.  The mark is scanned, much like a barcode, using a charge-coupled device, or optical reader.

By 1996, the technology had evolved to the point that it was ready for introduction into the commercial sector. In August 1997, Marshall’s Technology Transfer Department formed an alliance with CiMatrix and its parent company Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. of Canton, Mass., to develop commercial applications for NASA's marking processes.

The collaboration between government and industry resulted in numerous improvements and refinements to the Data Matrix system, such that it was now capable of meeting NASA’s stringent requirements.

“This standard for direct part marking will ensure improved reliability in the system,” said Fred Schramm, manager for engineering application projects at Marshall’s Technology Transfer Department. “Parts can be identified using the same equipment; and they will be marked in the most efficient and dependable method.”

 “The Data Matrix marking symbol has the potential of better continuity, but more importantly, it improves the system reliability. The end result is a safer space program, which is our ultimate goal,” Schramm said.

Information about these improved and refined practices for direct part marking has been compiled and published as a NASA Technical  Standard (NASA-STD-6002),  “APPLYING DATA MATRIX IDENTIFICATION SYMBOLS ON AEROSPACE PARTS DIRECT PART MARKING METHODS/TECHNIQUES“ and its associated NASA Technical Handbook  (NASA-HDBK-6003), “APPLICATION OF DATA MATRIX IDENTIFICATION SYMBOLS TO AEROSPACE PARTS USING DIRECT PART MARKING METHODS/TECHNIQUES.” 

These documents are the result of a partnership involving 28 organizations and firms from government, industry and academia. They can be viewed and downloaded at the following address: http://standards.nasa.gov

For more technical information on Data Matrix, contact Fred Schramm at fred.schramm@msfc.nasa.gov