Extending Surface Plate Calibration Frequency

the current calibration frequency for surface plates in our plant is every 18 months, I am checking the possibility to extend this to 24 months but I need some feeback currently reading ANSI Z540 and cant find details on the calibration frequency.

the surface plate is use mostly in the final inspection of titanium parts

Calibration of a surface plate depends on its usage and wear history. If you are using a height gage, for example, the entire surface is a measuring surface, similar to a face on the anvil of a micrometer. So, much like a micrometer, the types of materials, the cleanliness of the parts, the weight of the parts, the frequency of checks - as examples - affect the necessary calibration period. How often has the surface plate been resurfaces as a part of the calibration in the past? If it was every time, you might need to increase the calibration frequency. If it is every 5 years, the opposite is true.

Because of these, and many other variations, you will rarely see calibration frequency specified. As usual, the most correct answer to any question: "It depends."

mhirand20 said:

the current calibration frequency for surface plates in our plant is every 18 months, I am checking the possibility to extend this to 24 months but I need some feeback currently reading ANSI Z540 and cant find details on the calibration frequency.

the surface plate is use mostly in the final inspection of titanium parts

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Gotta have the data from past periodic checks to see what the wear rate is - it's not in any standard, because they have no idea what you're using it for! Obviously the wear rate is different from plastic/rubber parts to abrasive hard steels etc. It's yours to manage, based on data!

Go to: https://www.ncsli.org

Find Recommended Practices (RPs).....there is one for establishing calibration cycles.....it will help.....

ILAC is also working on a similar document so I understand.....