Calibration Requirements

[Mike525]

1. Does 4.11.2.b also apply to operators who change tooling on the machine they are operating?

2. Is there any such thing as a "reference" gage any more, e.g., a reference gage used for initial setup, or are all gages used required to be calibrated, regardless of use (and ownership)?

3. Can I define a term differently than QS-9000? Our gage lab wrote a level 2 procedure and defined the term "measuring device" different than the way it used in 4.11.

 

[Marc]

1. Does 4.11.2.b also apply to operators who change tooling on the machine they are operating?

This has to do with the interpretation of what a 'reference' gage is which goes along with:

2. Is there any such thing as a "reference" gage any more, e.g., a reference gage used for initial setup, or are all gages used required to be calibrated, regardless of use (and ownership)?

It really sorta depends upon how critical the gage is to the 'set-up'. And yes - arbitrary - it will be in how you explain it to some degree. If you're setting up a machine tool, it may be 'critical' in that the closer you are the less setup scrap you will (should) see. So calibration makes sense. If you're checking a die you would expect calibrated equipment. In chip manufacturing deionized water is critical to the process and 'failure' can cause thousands of dollars of scrap so water monitoring gages (and monitoring at the source as well as at the point of use) are 'essential' and are calibrated.

The theory is that the more precise the setup, or the more 'important' the parameter to the process, the more important it is that the gage be in the calibration system. Some auditors will buy less than others when you 'reasson' with them. Maybe Barb or one of the other 'auditor' types will comment.

3. Can I define a term differently than QS-9000? Our gage lab wrote a level 2 procedure and defined the term "measuring device" different than the way it used in 4.11.

Give us both definitions and we'll comment.

 

[Mike525]

QS9K states measuring equipment = measuring device, and that measuring equipment affecting quality must be calibrated.

Our gage lab defined "measuring device" as being used for reference only and does not affect the quality of the product.

 

[Marc]

What does your lab call measuring devices and measuring equipment that do(es) affect quality?