The categorization and identification of tooling has a wide range of advantages to assist in maintaining an uninterrupted, productive, and cohesive business practice. These include, but are not limited to, identifying operation critical items, increasing tool utilization, and helping to allocate resources and manage production.

Tooling has a wide range of applications. This practice is intended to clarify the differences between the different groups of tooling and provide identification symbolism for standard communication across industries.

The identification of unique tooling reflected in this practice will provide inclusive and comparative insight into the availability regardless of ownership or acquisition methodology, tooling type, specifics of its internal assignment and use, or possible future requirements. This identification combination allows the shop floor to identify readily the family of tools required in the manufacturing process and recall readily the correct tool for usage.

1.1 This practice describes the differentiation, identification, and categorization criteria for tooling, both unique and more general in nature. The physical markings should allow for one or more of the following to be ascertained: part number, serial number, ownership, revision, or symbology, or combination thereof.

1.2 Definitions for the unique subcategories that make up the tooling family will be described. These subcategories help to differentiate tooling categories for use in identification, control, and record keeping.

1.3 This practice is intended to be applicable and appropriate for all entities that hold tooling regardless of ownership or acquisition methodology. This practice further provides the detailed information to provide the flexibility of common nomenclature, identification, and tracking of unique tooling.

1.4 Items not covered but defined by this practice include, but are not limited to: consumable property, special test equipment (STE), plant equipment, general or special machinery equipment, and expendable tools.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.