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  What is Out of Tolerance Condition?

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Author Topic:   What is Out of Tolerance Condition?
qaadrian
unregistered
posted 02 May 2001 11:47 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
We are having a 'spirited discussion' about what constitutes on out of tolerance (OOT) condition for the calibration of customers standards and equipment. As QA I say it's any condition that does not meet the customers contractual requirements, or pass our calibration procedure. This is generally agreed to except in the case when the equipment is in operative. If its inoperative, then some people say its not an out of tolerance condition. Where can I find a clear definition for OOT? I'm interested in learning about other peoples views on this topic. Thanks for the feedback.

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Al Dyer
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Posts: 622
From:Lapeer, MI USA
Registered: Oct 2000

posted 02 May 2001 05:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Al Dyer   Click Here to Email Al Dyer     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I guess I need to ask, how does your group define non-operational and if you are talking about a gage being non-operational?

As an example, on occasion we take perfectly good gages out of circulation and tag them as "idle".

Is it operational? I guess it depends on the wording in your system documentation.

As for out of tolerance, your right on the mark.

Maybe some more examples from the Cove Group?

ASD...

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Dan Larsen
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Posts: 137
From:Sussex, WI
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 02 May 2001 08:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dan Larsen   Click Here to Email Dan Larsen     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My two cents...

"Out of tolerance" would be unable to meet the customer requirements (defined contractually). I'd be careful about using "my own" tolerances to define out of tolerance. In fact, ISO 17025 prohibits the cal service from making a judgement call of "in" or "out" unless the customer has requested this.

As for inoperative, I guess you could make a case for the gage being OOT; if it can't be used to measure, then it can't measure within the tolerance. In effect, the "as found" would be OOT. However, as a calibration consumer, I think I'd prefer the "as found" to show "Damaged" or "Not Operative" instead of "Out of Tolerance". The statement that the gage is damaged may help me in validating a review of previous results.


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qaadrian
unregistered
posted 02 May 2001 08:42 PM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sorry, I should have been a bit more specific. We calibrate electrical equipment for customers. We don't have a definition for "non-operational" because not everyone can reach a consesus (its a stubborn group). Thats why I say if you can't take a reading, then it's OOT. Good point about making judgements. We are going to 17025 in the near future. Last bit of info: I did grant certain exceptions - if a fuse is blown or the battery is dead or if it's a typical user function/adjustment, then it's not an OOT. The tech is allowed to fix the problem and then proceed with taking As Found data. Thanks for the feedback so far. I hope I can get a couple more points of view.

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CarolX
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Posts: 108
From:Illinois, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 03 May 2001 10:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CarolX   Click Here to Email CarolX     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a question - if the unit is inoperative, how can you call is out of tolerance? If it doesn't work, how can you check it against a standard? We work with standard measuring equipment, i.e. micrometer, calipers. If a set of calipers is dropped, or the gears become jamb, we repair the unit and then subject it to a full calibration.

And for Dan - is your 2 cents worth adjusted for inflation and/or the rising porice of fuel??? LOL

CarolX

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Dan Larsen
Forum Contributor

Posts: 137
From:Sussex, WI
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 03 May 2001 09:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dan Larsen   Click Here to Email Dan Larsen     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To CarolX...

I generally make it a point to gas up BEFORE a trip to Chi Town. It doesn't save a lot, but it gives me a few extra cents to spend on the Illinois lottery! (I figure you Flatlander's have pulled enough of out of Wisconsin...it's MY turn! )

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CarolX
Forum Contributor

Posts: 108
From:Illinois, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 04 May 2001 10:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CarolX   Click Here to Email CarolX     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dan...

LOL!!!!

Shall we confuse the rest of the contributors with a Flatlander vs Cheesehead debate??????

Have a good day!

CarolX

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qaadrian
unregistered
posted 04 May 2001 11:53 AM           Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Appreciate all of the feedback. I've decided to define, in writing, "Inoperative" and "Out-of-Tolerance" conditions for the lab using their suggestions. Basically, if you can't perform the cal, it's inoperative. If you can do the cal and the results do not meet the customers or the calibration procedures acceptance criteria, it will be an OOT. Of course, the final decision rests with the customer. Have a good weekend everybody.

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