Having just stepped into the position of Quality Manager at a new company I discovered that an external audit question regarding gage R & R was answered that "the outside calibration source performs Uncertainty, Reproducibility & Repeatability studies on all gages."
I don't see how the outside calibration source performing R & R on their own gages satisfies the requirement.
I thought this is a task for us to do.
Any thoughts?

Yes it's very clear that if R&R studies should be performed at your facility by your technicians on your instruments. Having a calibration lab do R&R studies on your instruments doesn't really tell you much in regard to your own processes, operators, instruments. I'm surprized that the auditor accepted that CA.

Benjamin28,
Exactly. That was my first thought as to how the auditor accepted the answer.
I guess I better get moving on establishing Gage R & R studies before the next audit. I may not be as lucky as my predecessor.
Thanks for the confirmation.

Having just stepped into the position of Quality Manager at a new company I discovered that an external audit question regarding gage R & R was answered that "the outside calibration source performs Uncertainty, Reproducibility & Repeatability studies on all gages."
I don't see how the outside calibration source performing R & R on their own gages satisfies the requirement.
I thought this is a task for us to do.
Any thoughts?

Who performed the external audit? What are the requirements (e.g., is this an ISO 9001 question)? As Benjamin28 indicated, GR&R should be an internal function, and it should be performed on parts (not gage blocks or other standards) as a part of qualifying measurement systems for particular applications. Whether or not some specific requirement has been violated is another question.

Jim,
The audit was performed by a Registrar auditor for AC7112 certification. I cannot believe he missed the requirement! Certification was issued.
I was just reviewing previous audits to get "up to speed" and I saw a red flag when I saw the checklist. I will get on the Gage R&R right away.

Well then, I'd say good catch. One other thing I'd say, look at the CA process, something must be wrong for it to allow for such shallow a response.

I remember looking at some past CA's issued when I first started here, no kidding one was "The employee in question deviated from procedure and has since been terminated" I was thinking the CA process must be pretty stern if they're firing people for basing a hardness reading off of 1 indentation instead of an average of 3 lol. But yah, anyway, it might be a good start to see if the CA process isn't a bit lacking while you're at it.

These gage calibration checks could be acceptable if the outside lab has equipment traceable to national/international standards. However, if the company checks "A" with "B" and "B" with "C" then "C" with "A" (all in-house equipment), one could only guess the accuracy, reliability, and tolerances, not only of the lab's equipment, but your equipment as well.

Are Gage R&R studies need for all equipment? If not what equipment needs Gage R&R studies?

Thanks

Are Gage R&R studies need for all equipment? If not what equipment needs Gage R&R studies?

Thanks

In the automotive industry, Gauge R & R studies should be performed on groups (family of gauges) of variable gauges that are shown in the Control Plan.

An attribute study will also be on groups (families) of attribute gauges shown in the control plan.

So each gauge referenced in the Control Plan will have an R & R, attribute study or, in some cases, a stability study.

Hope this helps.