Intermec, RVSI And ID Integration Debut Aerospace Part Marking System; Demonstrate Turnkey System to Boeing Suppliers

Business Wire, Sept 19, 2000

Business/High-Tech Editors/Aviation Writers

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2000

Three leaders in part marking, reading and tracking solutions today demonstrated a complete turnkey system designed to support the aerospace industry's call for permanent bar code identification of all line-replaceable parts installed in commercial and military airplanes.

The move to require almost every part used on a plane be marked with its own individual identification number is supported by the world's largest aircraft manufacturers and the U.S. military. The global industry initiative is designed to improve component traceability and air safety, while reducing maintenance costs.

Intermec Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UNA), Robotic Vision Systems (Nasdaq:ROBV) and ID Integration debuted the system at a Boeing Co. symposium to familiarize Boeing suppliers with the new requirements. It is one of a number of solution sets the companies are developing to provide the aerospace industry with seamless part marking, reading and tracking systems that stand up to the rigors of aerospace manufacture.

Two programs at the heart of the initiative have been years in development. The civilian version, known as SPEC 2000, is sponsored by the Air Transport Association and sets information standards for parts and repair services for commercial and civilian aircraft. ISO/ANSI MH10 is a similar program endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense for military aircraft parts.

The overall scope of the implementation is dramatic. A Boeing 747, for example, has more than six million parts.

Intermec, a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, and RVSI (Nasdaq:ROBV) earlier this summer announced an alliance to ensure interoperability between their respective part marking, reading and tracking technologies, providing aerospace and Department of Defense customers a single source for technology and know-how for SPEC 2000 and MH10 requirements.

"By adding the systems integration expertise of ID Integration, our alliance is able to move swiftly to help suppliers implement the initiative's requirements," said Steve Winter, Intermec senior vice president, Strategy and Business Development.

The group now can offer complete systems that include part marking expertise, hardware, software, integration and project management, said ID Integration Vice President Gary Moe.

"We've been working closely with Boeing for more than six years on several research and development projects," Moe said. "Now the rubber finally gets to meet the road as we integrate the results of those years of working together and our part marking technology with Intermec and RVSI's products. Together we offer Boeing suppliers a complete marking, reading, verifying and communicating system."

The companies' systems are being developed to meet all SPEC 2000 and MH10 specifications, including use of the Data Matrix bar code symbology.

"Data Matrix represents a quantum leap in machine readable symbologies," said Bill Baker, RVSI senior vice president and general manager of 2D systems. "More than any other technology available today, it addresses the aerospace industry's requirement for individual part traceability. RVSI, Intermec and ID Integration have developed a complete series of Data Matrix mark, verify, read and communication solutions for companies looking to implement the benefits of the ATA SPEC 2000 initiative. Over the past few years, RVSI has developed unique readers and verifiers for parts direct marked with Data Matrix codes specified by the ATA SPEC 2000 standard. We are excited about the potential unleashed by teaming with Intermec, a world leader in automatic data collection systems, and ID Integration, experts in providing turnkey solutions, to enable the rapid adoption of the SPEC 2000 marking standard across the aerospace industry."

About 200 Boeing suppliers are expected at the two-day symposium.

In addition to aerospace, airlines and the military, the three-company alliance also is active in part marking initiatives in the automotive industry.

About Intermec

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag(R) RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.

To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec's supply chain technologies, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, P.O. Box 4280, Everett, WA 98203-9280 USA; telephone 800/347-2636; or visit Intermec's web site at www.intermec.com. To learn more about UNOVA, visit www.unova.com.

About ID Integration

ID Integration Inc., of Renton, Wash., is a leading-edge technology innovator in part and tool marking, tracking and systems integration. The company's products and services aid their customers' efficiency and effectiveness by reducing the costs associated with incorrect tooling or part marking and by reducing inventory.