posted 22 August 2001 10:28 AM               

By the way, I think you might be posting under the wrong topic, try the 17025 forum and you will probably get more response and better information that I can give.

posted 22 August 2001 11:51 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by David Davis:
1) We are approaching our pre-assessment audit.

2) Does every gage company or employee owned have to be calibrated.

3) Are there any companies out there currently not calibrating "all" gages and using a "reference only", "process validation", or "transfer gage" procedure for some of your gages ---- and how is it working for you?

4) Has it ever been an issue during an audit?

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1) It is good that you are going thru pre-audit - because each registrar tends to take a slightly varying viewpoint on "ALL" gaging(to a certain extent).

2)It's been my expierience that EVERY gage (mechanical or electronic) Company or Employee owned - that is used to "Qualify a product specification" must be
a) identified
b)calibrated at a frequency determined by you- either in-house or by otside sources.
c) date recorded in an sutiable manner.
(Frankly registrars tend not to be concerned with how much this task will cost you to preform - just that it is done to standards)

3) Again to varying degrees "If you can justify a reason for a gage to be used as a reference without calibration -
3a) - example a 6 inch scale used for locating a set-up stop and a Calibrated caliper used to actually qualify the part.
3b) - we receive "Raw steel bars" ordered in 20 foot sections - our suppliers ave made it clear that these orders "can arrive" plus-minus 2 feet - therfore justifying a 40-50 foot "Reference tape" to be used on the materials"

4) My OPINION - It has and will continue to be an issue each and every time that portion of the standard is being audited (internally and/or externally)one gage not calibrated- AND properly recorded is/has been cause for nonconformance write-up

By the way - you procedures "Should" also include a means or method to Re-inspect past products found to have been qualified using a gage that is discovered "out of adjustment" during the calibration process.

Hope this Helps
Regards!
Jim