What Calibration Software are you using?

[JRKH]

Hey Folks,

What kind of calibration software are you using.
We are a small job shop (85 souls including office personnel)
Our products are generally not tight tolerance. (i.e. +/-.005 or less)
What would you recommend.
I need to hold the cost down.
I am currently using a self designed access based system. I could update this but don't I have the time.

All input is appreciated

James

[Jerry Eldred]

There is a previous posting, "Scheduling Software" which describes numerous packages available. I believe the websites listed in that posting represent a pretty wide range of cost and complexity. However, as you stated that you are a small company, there are a number of ways to create a very low cost database. One very simple method I have seen from a company that only had about six or so calibrated instruments was using a spreadsheet. If you have someone knowledgeable in that area, with a little creativity and skill you could create one. I created my own a number of years ago using dBase III plus (I think it's off the market now). But a simple database program as not too difficult to learn by someone who is computer literate. Another alternative would be MS Access.

You mentioned that you don't have the time to update the system you currently have. One problem to remember when you change to a different recall system is that there will likely be significant setup and configuration time (depending on what other system you get). You may want to estimate how much time it would take to update your current system as compared to the amount of time it would take to change to another system. That is a significant factor (it appears, in your case) to be considered in whatever you do.

If you want to get really simple, a hard copy system is still considered legitimate. However, if you have to comply with any of the ISO standards or others, you'll need it to be well documented.

Could you elaborate as to why you need to update/upgrade your database you currently use?

[JRKH]

Jerry,

Thanks for the input.

My current system is self made in MS access. I created it about 6 years ago to get away from a hard copy system. It was OK when we were an unregistered, 30 man shop.

Now I need to update the system to get ready for QS-9000 registration audit. With everything else I have going on I am afraid I don't have time to get it up to speed. It may be better to replace it with a dedicated program.

Thanks for the search Idea I'll do it later in the day.

James

[John Nabors]

Saw this thread in passing..

Anyone looking for an inexpensive calibration software package may want to take a look at this:

http://www.softwaretechnologytn.com/gage.php

I've used it at two different companies. If you don't have a huge number of gages in your system (say <500) and you aren't looking for a bunch of bells and whistles, for $500 it's hard to touch this one. My only reservation is that when I used it at a company with 4000+ gages in the system, I was occasionally heard to use some really bad words.

Regards -John

[jscotto]

Track Pro and it is free. www.trackpro.org

[hwgdad]

Thanks for the info on www.trackpro.org!

Rich

[jscotto]

Glad to help. Have you tried it?

[n866fandp]

I have been using GAGETrak v6.5, It has lots of features, I was a little frustrated with it at first, however, after attending one of their training seminars, I am very pleased with the capabilities of the software. It will even help you to complete GR&R, and MSA studies.