General Guidelines
By way of introduction to this subject, some clarification of the terminology used in this RP is warranted. Bar coding refers to the use of a bar symbology as a means of identification of alpha numeric characters in a machine-readable form. It must be clearly understood that the symbology guidelines and standards referenced in this RP are separate from the actual coding guidelines recommended herein. TMC recommends the adoption of Symbology Code 3 of 9 as its standard, with Symbology Code UPC as an alternate. TMC recognizes that some manufacturers' markets include both fleets and the retail trade-where UPC is the standard symbology used. All bar coding used in accordance with this RP must follow the appropriate uniform symbology guidelines.
Print Quality:
The ANSI X3.182, Bar Code Print Quality-Guideline shall be used to determine bar code symbol print quality. [1]* The minimum symbol grade shall be 1.5/10/660 where: (a) minimum print quality grade equals 1.5 (C); (b) measurement aperture equals 0.010 inch (0.254 mm); (c) inspection wavelength equals 660 nanometers ± 10 nanometers. Such symbol quality and measurement parameters assure scanability over a broad range of scanning environments.
3 of 9 Single Bar Code and Multiple Bar Code Symbol Structures:
The bar code must contain at a minimum the following:
- ANSI FACT 1 data identifier(s) [2]
- VMRS (Code Key 34) manufacturer code as assigned by the Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS), owned and managed by the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council [3]
- manufacturer's part number
The bar code is to appear on all packaging as the individual part number. It is further recommended that the appropriate bar code quality standards used be those outlined by the Automated Identification Manufacturers, specifically the AIM Uniform Symbology Specification Code 39. [4] It is further recommended that all fleet end users specify bar coding of parts received from a manufacturer as part of their original vehicle specifications. In addition, these guidelines recommend that fleet operators request to be supplied with parts following the above guidelines by sending a letter to all supplier vendors not currently doing so.