Calibration - My question concerns the calibration of "all" gages.

[David Davis]

Calibration

Our company is in the process of registering to the ISO standard. We are approaching our pre-assessment audit. My question concerns the calibration of "all" gages. Does every gage company or employee owned have to be calibrated. We are leaning towards "no", due to time and MONEY. 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? Has it ever been an issue during an audit? Thank you for your time and consideration. - Dave Davis

 

[Al Dyer]

If you are using a gage to monitor characteristics of a process wouldn't you want to ensure that the gage is calibrated and verified?

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.

Have a good day!

 

[Jim Biz]

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?

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