We occasionally use them when no other industry standard can be found. I try to avoid them like the plague because most vendors automatically raise their price when they see a MIL spec.
MIL specs are still the main source a lot of items. Even other standards will reference them. It depends on which area you are in. If you are using materials or documentation, I wouldn't personally callout the MIL. However, if talking about hard shell shipment cases, I might refer to them.
As others said a lot of the MIL standards are gradually being replaced or at least supplemented by other standards, primarily ASME for this type of thing.
Looks like the replacement for MIL-I-43553 may be a work in progress.
One other point on the drawing, you ref ANSI Y14.5M. Current spec is ASME Y14.5M-1994 if that's what you mean to refer to. By putting ANSI are you deliberately referencing the 1982 version, if so may want to add -1982 to make this clear.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
Ringman is correct. Clarification is needed.
Also, if a silkscreen house is doing this work, I don't think they will understand the MIL specs. Maybe split the dwg into two, one for fab and the other for silkscreen? Unless you do it all in house.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08 ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)