Calibration of equipment not used since last calibration

[cdaniels]

I tried to do a search because I'm sure this question has been presented before, but I had no luck.

How do others handle situations when they have a gage that was calibrated then not used since the last calibration. For a little background we have a gage that requires outside calibration yearly. We sent the gage out in Feb of 06, got it back and placed it in the storeroom. Since then no one has used the gage and it is now time to be sent out again.

Do others;
1. extend the due date another year and put it back in storage.
2. send the gage out anyway and maintain the yearly frequency.
3. send the gage out and adjust the frequency if the previous data supports.
4. other

Thanks,
Charles

[SteelMaiden]

I have faced this in the past. We looked at past calibrations, figured out how many times it went without use during those calibration cycles, sent it out one more time for calibration and told the calibration company to extend the frequency for the next scheduled calibration if it was still within its tolerance.

Calibration companies will usually work with you to get calibration schedules that make sense, especially if you work (partner) with them time and again.

[Miner]

I cannot speak for ISO 17025, but for ISO 9001:2000, we dipped the working surface of the gage (e.g. caliper anvils, pin gage) into a sealant that could be easily peeled off for use without leaving a residue. When the gage came up for calibration, if the seal was still in place, we noted this in the calibration record as unused and bumped it out to the next calibration cycle. If it went another cycle without use, we put it in storage and marked it as inactive in the system.

However, if there is a chance that your gage may change with time even if unused, you should still calibrate it.

[BradM]

In Reply to Parent Post by Miner

However, if there is a chance that your gage may change with time even if unused, you should still calibrate it.

Miner has the critical point, in my opinion. If there is no chance, I would not send it out again. If that probability exists, you have to send it out.

If no one has used it, you don't need to verify it's operation, as it has not been a factor for anything.

May I add one more option? Sell it on E-Bay.

Seriously, if this device is not been used in a year, what is the probability it will be used again? Can you rent one if you get into a bind? If this instrument is not affected by time and is hardly ever used, why not decrease the frequency to two years or more?

[jane_ackerman - 2010]

In Reply to Parent Post by Miner

I cannot speak for ISO 17025, but for ISO 9001:2000, we dipped the working surface of the gage (e.g. caliper anvils, pin gage) into a sealant that could be easily peeled off for use without leaving a residue. When the gage came up for calibration, if the seal was still in place, we noted this in the calibration record as unused and bumped it out to the next calibration cycle. If it went another cycle without use, we put it in storage and marked it as inactive in the system.

However, if there is a chance that your gage may change with time even if unused, you should still calibrate it.

Like Miner, I dip "spare" gages.
In my software, I have 4 possible "received conditions". In Tolerance, Out of Tolerance, New and Not Used.
In and Out are self explanitory. New is also fairly self explanitory, but I also use this to document an annual replacement of my plug gages.

One problem I found with using a sealant that is easily removable (IE: Hot Wax Dip), is that it is also easy to slip it back on, thus making it difficult to truly determine if it was used. This is why I went to a product called PlastiDip. It's about $80 for a gallon and lasts quite a while! The plastic coating it creates is more difficult to remove and is destroyed in the process.
This way, I know for sure if the gage was used.

If it was not used, I enter a "calibration entry" into my system showing that I checked it, and on the "received condition" I select the "not used" check box.

What ever you decide to do... be sure your documentation (procedure) reflects this.

Jane

[SteelMaiden]

Another thing to remember is that sometimes, inactivity does not guaranty that all measuring devices will maintain calibration.

[BradM]

In Reply to Parent Post by SteelMaiden

Another thing to remember is that sometimes, inactivity does not guaranty that all measuring devices will maintain calibration.

Yeppers. Right on. That's the reason why there is an expense to hanging on to low/no usage equipment requiring calibration. If it's in the same place it was the last time it was due for calibration, I'd be evaluating whether you need to keep it.

[Al Rosen]

Although there is a risk involved, you may want to segregate the gage and tag it as "Calibrate Before Use".