Calibration Procedure for Gage Blocks

[MetroBioCen]

Hello everybody

I've been assigned with the task to develop a calibration procedure for standard lenght blocks sets (Apologise in advance if they are not named like that in English).

I'm referring to metal blocks which dimension are considered standard lenght and are used to calibrate calipers and micrometers. We call them in Spanish: "Medidas Plano-paralelas Patrones".

I really don't know where to begin as I think that the required standard for this would be a very expensive instrument, and I have never worked with this kind of devices.

I would appretiate any help regarding this.

Thank you very much in advance

MetroBioCen

 

[sonflowerinwales]

Re: Calibration Procedure for Standard Length Blocks

Hello there
Yes, you do have the correct name. Length or gauge blocks, also know as slip gauges.
Will you be setting up the whole process, i.e. temperature controlled room, measuring equipment and master gauge blocks?
I can give you some help if you are.
Regards
Paul

 

[JRKH]

Re: Calibration Procedure for Standard Length Blocks

Correct me if I'm wrong but it appears you (and your company) is new to in house calibration.
If this is the case and if these are the blocks used for in house calibration, I would strongly suggest using an outside service for these because you are right the standards on these are very tight and doing the job right can be time consuming.

When I was doing calibration at a small shop,I had a dedicated set of blocks that I would use to calibrate in house tools. I sent the blocks out to a certified lab and this gave me "traceability" to NIST.
The turnaround time on the blocks was not problematic so this worked well for us.
Once those blocks started showing wear past what I felt comfortable with for calibration purposes - I bought a new set and downgraded the old set to "shop use".

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

 

[MetroBioCen]

Re: Calibration Procedure for Standard Length Blocks

Thank you for your kind and quick answers I will use some technical words that I don't know if they are correct. If you don't understand, please let me know. I do work in a metrology lab already. We have all the stuff needed for the job, i.e: controlled temperature room, optimeter . Our lab is recognized by the National Accreditation Service. We usually use these equipments to calibrate thread profiles, but since we have seen that there is a market opportunity calibrating standards blocks, the staff decided to get in this adventure and I am the "lucky guy" destinated to write the calibration procedure. I would like to get some help as I don't have experience about this specific activity. Thanks in advance.

 

[NikkiQSM]

Re: Calibration Procedure for Standard Length Blocks

We send our blocks out every 2 years - We use an outside calibration source so that we do not have to purchase the equipment to calibrate them. Also it is all NIST traceable and just provides a lot of convinence for us.

 

[MetroBioCen]

I think I have not been clear enough as your answers are not in the direction I'm expecting. Sorry, I think I have not been able to explain myself well.

I do not intend to calibrate my own blocks, I intend to calibrate other people's blocks as I have the required equipment to do that task, but I don't know the method (procedure) to perform such calibrations. I need help regarding this.

 

[BradM]

MetroBioCen,

Thank you for coming here and asking your questions. Don't worry about using perfect English. We're here to help.

You ask a good question. For starters, Wiki has a pretty good write-up on calibrating micrometers:

From that site, here is a link to a sample procedure, which I have also attached.

Is this what you were looking for? The attached procedure is quite detailed, which is good. You can then trim it down for your needs.

Let us know.

Add edit...

After reading your last post, I realize I totally missed the mark. Are you going to use a laser micrometer to verify the blocks?

 

[JRKH]

I think I have not been clear enough as your answers are not in the direction I'm expecting. Sorry, I think I have not been able to explain myself well.

I do not intend to calibrate my own blocks, I intend to calibrate other people's blocks as I have the required equipment to do that task, but I don't know the method (procedure) to perform such calibrations. I need help regarding this.

Ahhh...Yea we are thinking in a whole different direction.... Sorry... Unfortunately I don't have that kind of expertise so will have to bow out..sorry.

James

 

[MetroBioCen]

Thank you very much for you attention. We already have a procedure to calibrate micrometers and calipers. Our intention is to begin to calibrato Gage blocks. That's the procedure in which I need help. Thanks again.

 

[sarasheed]

We are using the equipment Called TESA MODULE for calibrating the GAUGE BLOCKS.(Photo enclosed).For calibration we should have a Master Gauge Block set .The gauge blocks to be calibrated will be compared with the Master gauge Blocks using this equipment.