Calibration of Tape Measures used on our production floor - What are 'Best Practices'

M

MEParsons

#11
I have been involved in a debate around the "unique Identification" of tape measures used to accept and reject product. Most areas of our facility assign a number to "each piece" of IMTE and have a gage card matched to each piece as evidence of verification. Excellent work! One department has chosen to affix a verification sticker to each piece, but all IMTE verified in the same month all have the same sticker. No way to tell them apart and no gage card for each piece. All tapes appear identical. The only record is a list of operators and a check mark beside their name if they received a tape that particular month. I do not see a "unique identification" here. Am I missing something? Can tape measures be lumped into a category as one peice of equipment? HELP
 
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Marc

Hunkered Down for the Duration with a Mask on...
Staff member
Admin
#12
IMHO if each of the M&TE are NOT distinguishable in some way (serial number, colour, or equivalent), the 'unique' requirement is NOT being met.

[This message has been edited by Marc Smith (edited 19 August 1999).]
 

Kevin Mader

One of THE Original Covers!
Staff member
Admin
#13
SR,

Converting English measure into metric often leads to errors. We are a 'metric' only organization and to avoid errors, we consistently measure and test in metric units. My suggestion: do not convert.

A majority of the time when we do have issues of conversion, they arise in the supplier arena. Often time, first piece inspections submitted are converted into English measure, and I can count on at least a few conversion errors.

Just a passing thought, so back to the group...

Regards,

Kevin
 
B

Batman

#14
SRTipton-
Typically, if it is on the control plan, it is important, and being controlled.

From my limited experience, most methods of measurement dictate [roughly] adding another decimal to the readings. There are digital calipers, for instance, that read to 2 places. A part of 19 +/- .02 that measures 19.023 will read 19.02. The part is out of spec and you will accept it. At least the measurement device should distinguish .001 increments.

Without knowing your requirement, I suggest that if it is worth controlling, it is worth measuring correctly.

And I use .03937 to convert. See? As Kevin says, avoid converting.
 
#16
I have a cert from "Starrett" for a 12' tape purchased in 1997 that provides all the required info;
Guide 25 certified
dimensional verification
hook error
uncertainty
95%cl
plus specifications and procedures.
They are available, you just have to go to the right source.
 

Jerry Eldred

Forum Moderator
Super Moderator
#17
There is still the "calibration" versus "verification" issue. Regarding "verification" of tape measure (agreed- you can't calibrate as you can't adjust to nominal) must be done at least once. And must be redone periodically to check for play on the end clip and legibility of graticules/increementation.

However, one point did not seem to come up. If you have an initial certificate of traceability with uncertainty, etc from the manufacturer, that is one thing. But I have seen quite often on tape measures that one does not exist. So the accuracy of the tape measure must be measured. In my old days as a contractor metrologist, I have seen tape measures out-of-tolerance. They did not meet original manufacturers specs for length accuracy (we tested on a surface plate with either gage blocks or a metrology grade straight edge ruler, a variety of increment lengths and at various points along the length of the tape). There are some military verification procedures that specify this method.
 
D

DougC

#19
Re: Calibration of Tape Measures used on our production floor - What are 'Best Practi

Calibrating a tape measure is a good idea. It is such a commonly used tool like a square or a level. It should be accurate. We found that even new tape measures could be off 1/16 of an inch. It would be nice to know this before you bought a new tape measure. It's really nice to be able to keep a tape measure accurate for many years.

***Advertisement removed***

Edit Note: The poster should have made clear he is recommending his own product.
 
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Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#20
Re: Calibration of Tape Measures used on our production floor - What are 'Best Practi

Calibrating a tape measure is a good idea. It is such a commonly used tool like a square or a level. It should be accurate. We found that even new tape measures could be off 1/16 of an inch. It would be nice to know this before you bought a new tape measure. It's really nice to be able to keep a tape measure accurate for many years. Lixer Tools makes a tape measure calibrator which addresses all of this. With this tool you can verify the accuracy of both the push and the pull measurements of your tape measure. You can easily adjust a bent end hook to restore accuracy or determine if the rivets may be worn beyond your required range of accuracy. In this case, it is time to replace the tape measure. In order for any measuring to be meaningful, you must know what your required range of accuracy is. In some cases, a tape measure simply can't conform to the accuracy requirements.
Doug,

Welcome to The Cove Forums! :agree1: :agree1:

You are recommending a particular device for tape measure calibration.
Are you associated with this organization? Please look at the TOS, Article 3b.

Stijloor.
 
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