ASTM E2672-16 (2021) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E2672-16 (Reapproved 2021) — Standard Practice for Identification and Categorization of Tooling. This practice establishes a common nomenclature, marking conventions, and categorization criteria for tooling used in manufacturing and asset-management contexts to improve identification, control, and tracking of tooling assets across organizations and supply chains.

Abstract

Provides guidance for differentiating, identifying, and categorizing tooling (including dies, fixtures, gauges, jigs, molds, patterns, hand tools, and other manufacturing aids). The standard defines subcategories of tooling, recommends physical marking elements (for example part number, serial number, ownership, revision, and symbology), and describes how identification supports control, recordkeeping, and operational readiness. It is intended to be applicable to any entity that holds tooling regardless of ownership or acquisition method.

General information

• Status: Reapproved (reapproval of the 2016 designation) and published as E2672:16(2021).
• Publication date: 1 December 2021 (designation E2672-16, reapproved 2021).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 21.020; 25.060.01.
• Edition / version: E2672-16 (Reapproved 2021), also shown as E2672:16(2021).
• Number of pages: 6 pages (concise practice document).

Scope

This practice describes differentiation, identification, and categorization criteria for tooling, both unique and more general in nature. It specifies the physical marking elements that should allow ascertainment of part number, serial number, ownership, revision, symbology, or combinations thereof. Definitions for subcategories within the tooling family are provided to support identification, control, and recordkeeping. Items outside the scope include consumable property, special test equipment, plant machinery, and expendable tools. Users remain responsible for applicable safety and regulatory considerations when applying the practice.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and subcategories of tooling (for example: standard tooling, special/unique tooling, perishable tooling, shop aids, fixtures, dies, molds, gauges, jigs, etc.).
• Recommended marking and identification elements (part number, serial number, ownership indicators, revision level, and standardized symbology).
• Guidance on classification to support inventory control, tool utilization, allocation of resources, and identification of mission/operation‑critical items.
• Suggested conventions to enable common communication across industries and to aid recall of correct tooling on the shop floor.
• Notes on items explicitly excluded from the practice (consumables, general plant equipment, expendables).

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturing engineers, tool crib and tooling managers, maintenance and asset-management personnel, procurement and logistics teams, and any organization that issues, stores, or controls manufacturing tooling. It is commonly referenced within asset-management and equipment-control programs to standardize tooling identification and improve availability, utilization, and lifecycle tracking.

Related standards

Related ASTM practices and guides in asset management and equipment control are often used alongside E2672, including standards addressing receiving assets, supplemental identification labels, equipment movement/transfer, and equipment management outcomes (for example E2605, E2631, E2671, E2675, and others in the E26xx series). These complementary documents form a suite of practices for tangible asset and tooling control.

Keywords

tooling, identification, categorization, dies, fixtures, gauges, jigs, molds, patterns, shop aids, perishable tooling, special tooling, standard tooling, asset management, nomenclature, marking, tracking.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2672 is a standard practice that provides criteria and conventions for identifying and categorizing tooling used in manufacturing and asset-management contexts.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers differentiation and categorization of tooling types, recommended physical marking elements (part/serial numbers, ownership, revision, symbology), definitions of tooling subcategories, and the intended applicability to entities that hold tooling. It does not cover consumable items or general plant equipment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturing and production engineers, tooling and tool crib managers, maintenance and asset-management staff, procurement/logistics teams, and organizations that require standardized tooling identification for control and inventory purposes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2016 designation was reapproved in 2021 and published as E2672:16(2021); the reapproved 2021 status is the current formal publication record noted for this designation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of a broader set of ASTM practices addressing asset and equipment management (multiple E26xx practices and guides) that together support asset identification, receiving, labelling, movement, and system outcomes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tooling, identification, categorization, dies, fixtures, jigs, gauges, molds, shop aids, perishable tooling, asset management, marking, tracking.