In House Calibration - Templates, generic forms (Word .doc or Excel .xls) or ideas

Hello there,
I am thinking of going into in house calibration for clippers, micrometers etc.
I believe that it will save som emoney to the company.
I wonder if some one could help me and email me tamplates, generic forms (Word or Excel) or ideas how these procedures should contain and look like.

Thanks a lot

See CAL_PROC.pdf at This Link for some ideas as well.

[Ken K]

I looked over the calibration procedure referenced in Al's post, and I would like to address what I feel could be a real problem.
The first step mentioned is to clean the gage. If the gage was out on the floor, used to check outgoing goods, I would want to know if that gage was within tolerance before I would do anything to it.
My first step would be to try to calibrate it before proceeding. That way, if a problem is found, you know it was that way when it came off the floor.
I think this is critical. Then proceed to clean, examine and calibrate.

Just my thoughts.

[Marc]

You are 100% correct. I posted the link to that 'old dog' text for, as I noted, some ideas only.

I'm not a dedicated cal person. But if it was me, I'd do checks immediately. Once you clean it you've changed it. I agree with you, Ken. Your point is well made and appreciated.

Then I'd clean it and check again and go from there. Just as you suggest.

I again want to point out I am not a calibration professional - I do not work in a lab - this is only my opinion. The text I linked in Al's message above is ONLY for some ideas.

[Ryan Wilde]

Ken,

If the gage was used to check outgoing goods, and is filthy, I would call my quality manager to show him what people are using for acceptance testing. I would then note it, and clean it (not a thorough cleaning, but a good wipe-down that the person that uses the tool should ALREADY be doing).

Reasoning - Gage blocks are used to calibrate these items. Contaminants such as machine oil laced with metal shavings ruin gage blocks, and the water-based machining coolants rust blocks in under an hour. I would not allow a filthy tool near traceable calibration gauges. Or, possibly the budget for the $2500 gage block set could come from the outgoing inspection activity.

I would chase the problem from the other end, and find out why the people that use the tool do not feel it is necessary to keep it in useable condition.

Just my opinion,

Ryan

[Ken K]

Point well taken Ryan. But what if the instrument is not filthy, but was dropped or knocked out of tolerance at some point before calibration? I still want to check calibration before anything else.
Afterall, the $2500.00 for gage blocks could be minute compared to what already went out the door.
The Firestone deal comes to mind.

[Ryan Wilde]

I agree with you Ken. Damage or out of tolerance conditions must be checked and documented prior to any adjustment.

But cleanliness is not a characteristic of the instrument, merely a preventive measure that should be performed often that does not affect the true accuracy of the instrument. I've been to companies that require instruments to be wiped clean before each use, and oddly enough, their instruments lasted much longer and held tolerance very nicely.

As far as the importance of cleanliness and checking outgoing product, how important is it if you are measuring the product with 0.003" of error added?

Ryan

Thank you all folks for the great help
Avi Geva