K
kgriff
I have a dilemma that I've been trying to overcome for many years and, for some reason, just now thought to post here.
We have many library pin gage sets. These are mostly 0.061-0.750 sets. Class Z and ZZ.
The pins are identified by set using paint on each end of the pin. Most of our pin sets, based on their usage and criticality are on 2 year intervals. (For key feature measurements we use X Class, Air Gages, or Bore Gages.) The pins are primarily for setup, so it is important that they be "close" to the marked size, but as they are not used for final part inspection it is not critical.
I have tried to come up with a fairly fool-proof way of identifying pins so that, when it is time for calibration, pins that have been used are obvious and require calibration. Pins that do not get used would have an extended calibration interval.
We have tried sign-out sheets which, obviously, doesn't work. We have tried dip-sealing the exposed end of the pin with the intent that the dip-seal be removed when the pin is used. This has also not worked. As often as not, the dip seal is used as a "handle" when the pin is removed from the drawer, then the pin is replaced with the dip seal intact.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to accomplish this? Or has anyone done anything like this with any degree of success?
Whatever I do, it has to be rigorous enough to "ensure" that a pin cannot be used without the usage being obvious, such that the pin will be calibrated at the next due date.
And yes, we could argue that my use of the term "calibration" should instead be "verification", but that is a semantic discussion. For the purpose of the paragraphs above, I would not technically be "calibrating" any pin, since adjustment is impossible.
We have many library pin gage sets. These are mostly 0.061-0.750 sets. Class Z and ZZ.
The pins are identified by set using paint on each end of the pin. Most of our pin sets, based on their usage and criticality are on 2 year intervals. (For key feature measurements we use X Class, Air Gages, or Bore Gages.) The pins are primarily for setup, so it is important that they be "close" to the marked size, but as they are not used for final part inspection it is not critical.
I have tried to come up with a fairly fool-proof way of identifying pins so that, when it is time for calibration, pins that have been used are obvious and require calibration. Pins that do not get used would have an extended calibration interval.
We have tried sign-out sheets which, obviously, doesn't work. We have tried dip-sealing the exposed end of the pin with the intent that the dip-seal be removed when the pin is used. This has also not worked. As often as not, the dip seal is used as a "handle" when the pin is removed from the drawer, then the pin is replaced with the dip seal intact.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to accomplish this? Or has anyone done anything like this with any degree of success?
Whatever I do, it has to be rigorous enough to "ensure" that a pin cannot be used without the usage being obvious, such that the pin will be calibrated at the next due date.
And yes, we could argue that my use of the term "calibration" should instead be "verification", but that is a semantic discussion. For the purpose of the paragraphs above, I would not technically be "calibrating" any pin, since adjustment is impossible.