Coding of

Material

Submitted To- Mrs Guneet

Mam
Submitted by- Bhumika
Nagi
Rollno- 1921924

CODING - Systematic concise

representation of equipment, raw
material, tools, spares, suppliers .

 Coding refers to the process of

assigning symbols to the parts.
 Coding is define as process of
allocating symbol to the parts.
The symbol represent design
characteristics of parts ,
manufacturing attributes or
both.
One of the most important
factors in dealing with the
materials is the human element
which cannot be ignored or
bypassed in devising any
method of identifying or
codifying the materials. Hence,
every stores management has
to look into the problem
involving human being as one of
the important elements.
Before the system of codification
came into existence, the normal
way of identifying an article in
the storehouse is by its simple
description. But this was neither
satisfactory nor helpful in
 carrying out various operations
speedily and effectively. The
description was sometimes
vague and may be confusing.
 For example, the word dustbin
may be known as refuse
container, rubbish box, etc. This
may result in confusion and tend
to duplicate ordering or result in
over-stocking. Accurate
identification of an article,
sometimes, demands lengthy
descriptions which may
generally be complicated and
add to the confusion.
A ‘chair’ if said as such is not the
identification. An armchair,
plastic, caned back, revolving,
steel frame, foam cushioned,
etc., may be the accurate
description of the chair in
question.
Criteria for effective
coding
 Code should be simple
 Code should be unique
 Code should be compact
,concise and consistent.
 Code should be
sufficiently flexible to meet
future demands.

Objectives of Codification
The objectives of a
rationalized material coding
system are:
 Bringing all items
together.
 To enable putting up of
any future item in its
proper place.
 To classify an item
according to its
characteristics.
 To give a unique code
number to each item to
avoid duplication and
ambiguity.
 To reveal excessive
variety and promote
standardization and variety
reduction.
  To establish a common
language for the
identification of an item.
 To fix essential
parameters for specifying
an item.
 To specify item as per
national and international
standards.
 To enable data
processing and analysis.
Systems of Codification
There are different types of
store codes designed to suit
the requirement. These may
be based upon the type of
store item, the Purpose for
which items are used or on
any other application of that
item. The common methods
of store codification are as
follows:
1. Alphabetical codification
2. Numerical codification
3. Mnemonic codification
4. Combined alphabetical &
numerical codification
5. Decimal codification
6. British/Brisch codification
7. Kodak codification
8. Colour codification.
9. Six letter or Nine letter
cod

1. Alphabetic System-
In this method, letters of
the alphabet are used to
 describe an item.
Sometimes combinations
of alphabets are designed
to give a mnemonic
meaning e.g
BT-Bolt
NT-NUT
PN-PIN
SC-Screw
SMA-Steel Mild Angle
SMC-Steel Mild Channel

Since the numbers of

Alphabets are limited, even
with a combination of letters
as above there is a serious
limitation to the number of
items which can be uniquely
coded under this method.
Further, sometimes the
same combinations of the
alphabets are capable of
different meanings.

It is also not easy to evolve

a combination of letters to
give a mnemonic meaning
in which case alphabets
have to be used without
attaching any particular
meaning. This method is not
suitable except for tiny
organisations where the
number of items to be
coded is very, very limited.
2. Numerical Codification:
Against the alphabetical
system, the numerical
system is based on
numbers, simple numbers,
block numbers or
dash/stroke numbers.
Examples are:

(a) Simple Number:

One number is allotted
against each material, with
some other number being
kept as provision for other
items.
(b) Block Number:
The numbers are so designed
as that material of similar
nature or group comes under
one block. As, for example,
raw material block comes
under 1-1000, consumable oil
and lubricant materials block
comes under 1001-2000,
packaging materials block
come under 2001-3000, jigs,
tools and fixtures materials
block come under 3001-4000
and so on. Again, Raw
material block may be
subdivided into small blocks
according to the category of
materials, as for example,
iron, steel and allied group,
copper, nickel, alloy etc.
1-100, 101-200, 201-300,
301-100, 401-500
respectively.

(c) Dash/Stroke Number:

A further improvement over

the block numbering is
Dash/Stroke’ numbering
system. A Dash or stroke is
put against the main
element of the material in
order to code the material in
the same group.

3.Mnemonic System:
It is an alphabetic system
designed with an objective
of easy memorization. When
we use letters to help
memory, we call such a
system a mnemonic system.
This system is therefore, a
special application of the
alphabetical system.
Alphabets are allotted to an
item according to its initials
or abbreviation. For
example,
Mnemonic system alone is
confusing since one symbol
may convey impression of
two or more objects, as for
example, ‘FIT may mean
furniture or fuel or St may
indicate stationery or steel.

4. Combined Alphabetical &

Numerical Codification:

This system, as the name

suggests, is the combination
of both the alphabetical and
the numerical system
described before. In order to
improve upon the
alphabetical system, and
also to take advantage of
the numerical system, this
system allows alphabets to
be retained to a limited
extent and then uses the
number codes.
The materials are first
grouped under some main
classes and then it allows
sub grouping under
numbering system. The
table 14.2 states the
illustration for combined
alphabetical and numerical
codification system.
5. Decimal Codification:
Under this system of
codification, within the
range often numerals 0-9,
some significance is
attached to every digit in
the code. Thus, the whole
range of items in stores can
be codified without
difficulty. Generally 7 to 8
digits will be found sufficient
for all practical purposes,
but it may also be extended
upto 10 digits in order to
accommodate any other
characteristic of the
material desired to be
described.
The entire ranges of items
have first to be classified
under a broad class. Further
classification will follow
some group patterns,
according to their particular
nature. Further sub-divisions
will follow for type, size,
grade, shape, condition etc.
This means that after the
stores’ items have been
primarily classified under
broad classes, each group
and sub-grouping will again
allow 8 different
classifications according to
type, size, grade etc.

Under this significant and

sequential numerical
decimal system of coding,
much importance is
attached to digital
significance of each and
every digit and then the
sequential order follows as
described above. From the
diagram (Fig. 14.2 (a)), the
digital code structure may
be visualised.
If however for any particular
class characteristic, more
than 10 sub-divisions are
necessary, the one digit
decimal system can be
necessary, the one digit
decimal system can be
substituted for two-digit
decimal system. For
example if for type, size and
grade, it is thought that
provisions have to be made
for more than ten, it may be
done by a decimal after two
digit numerals. This will
make a provision for 100
items in each group starting
from 00-99 (Fig. 14.2 (b)).
6.British/Brisch Codification:

The Brisch system named

after a prominent consulting
engineer in the UK consists
of seven digits and is
applied in three phases. The
items are grouped into
suitable preliminary
categories, such as
assemblies, sub assemblies,
components, off the shelf
items.

After these preliminary

categories, items are
grouped with in the
respective groups in order
to bring similar items
together. The Brisch
system, though it consists
only of seven digits, is quite
comprehensive as the basis
is on logical major
groupings.
7. Kodak Codification:

The Kodak system has been

developed by East Man
Kodak Company of New
York which consists of 10
digits of numerical code.
The logic of major grouping
is based on sources of
supply. All materials are
divided into 100 basic
classifications, contributed
only by procurement
considerations.

For instance, a bolt is listed

as hard ware item if this is
listed in hard ware
catalogues and available
with hard ware suppliers. If
this bolt, however, is
available only as part of the
machine, it will be available
under maintenance. Each
class is divided into 10 sub-
classes. For example, if
class 20 represents cutting
tools then 200 represents
drills, reamers, counter bars
etc.
8. Colour Codification:
This system uses colour
marking for easier and more
ready identification on
metals, bars, pipe, drum
and cable. Common colour
codes for metals are as
follows (Table 14.3):
Advantages of Codification

To identify correctly, to
avoid multiplication of
items, to save time and
labour, to facilitate easy
location and proper
functioning of the
storehouse, a proper
codification is to be evolved
so as to obtain the following
benefits:

1. To avoid long and

unwieldy description.
2. To have accurate and
logical identification.

3: To prevent duplication.

4. To standardize items.

5. To reduce varieties.

6. To have an efficient
purchasing department.

7. To obtain efficiency in
recording and accounting.

8. To simplify and facilitate

mechanical recording.
9. To simplify and facilitate
pricing.

10. To have proper system

of location and indexing.

11. To assure correct and

efficient inspection; and

12. To implement
production as planned