Determining Measurement (Measuring) Device Calibration Frequency

H

Hamed

#1
How Can I determine the calibration frequency for the measuring devices?

We have digital calipers, Micrometers, Temperature gauges, weighing scale, Block gauges.

Can I make calibration every one year, two years, less or more?

And are there any standard for this.

Many thanks in advance.

Hamed Radwan
 
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J

Jmcdonald870

#2
Re: Help with deterimining calibration frequency

It all depends on how much risk you want to take.
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#3
Re: Help with determining calibration frequency

How Can I determine the calibration frequency for the measuring devices?

We have digital calipers, Micrometers, Temperature gauges, weighing scale, Block gauges.

Can I make calibration every one year, two years, less or more?

And are there any standard for this.

Many thanks in advance.

Hamed Radwan
If you only check it once a year, and it is wrong, then you have been using a bad gage for up to a year or two. Are you sure you want to take that risk, just to save 5 minutes of calibration?
 

SteelMaiden

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
#4
Re: Help with determining calibration frequency

What kind of environment? What is the risk (to the equipment, as well as product) How many devices do you have?

Do you have any data on some sort of daily verification done to make sure that the devices are stable from day to day? week to week?

:2cents:Start out at a frequency that is pretty short, collect your data, then double it. example. start out calibrations every week. then go to every two weeks. etc., until you find a frequency that doesn't allow things to go out of calibration, but also doesn't overwhelm your resources. I'm sure there is some "official" guide for setting up frequencies, but I am just a grunt in the field, not the general giving orders when it comes to cals.
 
J

Jeff Frost

#5
Re: Help with determining calibration frequency

In Alan S. Morris book “Measurement & Calibration for Quality Assurance” his method or what he calls is philosophy is to perform the following frequency of checks for instrument characteristics that might be appropriate for an instrument in use 24 hours a day:

Day 1: Once per hour for first 4 hours, then every 4 hours
Days 2-3: Every 12 hours
Days 4-7: Once per day
Weeks 2-3: Twice per week
Weeks 3-4: Once per week
Week 6: Once
Week 8: Once
Months 3-6: Once per month
Month 9: Once
Month 12: Once
Month 18: Once
Month 24: Once
Then once per year thereafter

Or a much simpler method to set the initial frequency is to simply ask the manufacture for their guidelines and then then set the frequency from the information they supply.
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#7
Re: Help with determining calibration frequency

In Alan S. Morris book “Measurement & Calibration for Quality Assurance” his method or what he calls is philosophy is to perform the following frequency of checks for instrument characteristics that might be appropriate for an instrument in use 24 hours a day:

Day 1: Once per hour for first 4 hours, then every 4 hours
Days 2-3: Every 12 hours
Days 4-7: Once per day
Weeks 2-3: Twice per week
Weeks 3-4: Once per week
Week 6: Once
Week 8: Once
Months 3-6: Once per month
Month 9: Once
Month 12: Once
Month 18: Once
Month 24: Once
Then once per year thereafter

Or a much simpler method to set the initial frequency is to simply ask the manufacture for their guidelines and then then set the frequency from the information they supply.

I liked everything but the last line. Jumping for 1x per month to 1x per year is a big jump. Gages that can go wrong probably should be done more frequently.
 
#8
Re: Determining Measurement Device Calibration Frequency

In my experience measuring equipment manufacturers recommendations cannot always be relied on. Bizarrely, some even have no clue about true calibration!

Their ideas are just that, ideas, since they have no data about the use of the equipment. You could have a device which gets hammered for three sifts gauging threads in stainless steel, and it wouldn't last a week. Some things could go years before they need to be rechecked.

I'd recommend a study, by family of equipment and then by useage, especially if you have some high frequency use items in an application which is wear inducing.
 

Big Jim

Super Moderator
#9
Re: Determining Measurement Device Calibration Frequency

If you read the ISO 9001:2000 standard carefully enough you begin to realize that part of the answer is there.

In element 7.6a is says " . . . calibrated or verified at specified intervals . . ." Who gets to set the interval? You do. Obviously, you don't want it to be so frequent that it is a burden, but what sets the other limit? The answer is in the paragraph after the lettered list: "In addition, the organization shall assess and record the validity of the previous measuring results when the equipment is found not to conform to requirements. The organization shall take appropriate action on the equipment and any product affected."

So you need to not set the interval so frequently that it is an unnecessary burden, but frequently enough that you don't run into problems that could make it necessary to go through the exercise of figuring out what if any bad product was shipped and how to resolve it.

As someone else said, a good place to start is with the equipment manufactures recommendations. Another good source is your local calibration lab. Then adjust from there pending the results of follow-up calibrations. Mix a little common sense into the equation as well.
 

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#10
Re: Determining Measurement Device Calibration Frequency

It all depends on how much risk you want to take.
Exactly! You have summed it up nicely.

In my experience measuring equipment manufacturers recommendations cannot always be relied on. Bizarrely, some even have no clue about true calibration!

Their ideas are just that, ideas, since they have no data about the use of the equipment. You could have a device which gets hammered for three sifts gauging threads in stainless steel, and it wouldn't last a week. Some things could go years before they need to be rechecked.
Spot on!!:agree1: Man, don't get me started:mad:, Andy. I think it's getting a little better with mfg. specifications and all, but it is still pretty sad. Bottom line: Mfg. companies are in the business of making equipment and money... not necessarily interested in good metrology practices (Fluke is one exception, IMHO). Hence the reason you can rely on competent metrology sources for assistance. If nothing else is available, start with mfg. recommendations, but manage the process after that.


If you read the ISO 9001:2000 standard carefully enough you begin to realize that part of the answer is there.

In element 7.6a is says " . . . calibrated or verified at specified intervals . . ." Who gets to set the interval? You do. Obviously, you don't want it to be so frequent that it is a burden, but what sets the other limit? The answer is in the paragraph after the lettered list: "In addition, the organization shall assess and record the validity of the previous measuring results when the equipment is found not to conform to requirements. The organization shall take appropriate action on the equipment and any product affected."

So you need to not set the interval so frequently that it is an unnecessary burden, but frequently enough that you don't run into problems that could make it necessary to go through the exercise of figuring out what if any bad product was shipped and how to resolve it.

As someone else said, a good place to start is with the equipment manufactures recommendations. Another good source is your local calibration lab. Then adjust from there pending the results of follow-up calibrations. Mix a little common sense into the equation as well.
Good points, Jim. Taking up on your common sense suggestion...

Regardless of your interval, don't turn your brain off with your process. If your process is going along with decent stability and all of a sudden you get some noise, it might not be a bad idea to check the instruments, use a spare, etc. Also, if you are nervous about your interval, start short, and then stretch as you are able. Send your instruments to a good calibration source that provides as found/ as left data, so you can make informed decisions regarding calibration frequency.

The main thing is manage the process. Adjust the frequencies when the situation calls for it. When (or if) you get it right, you be having your instruments calibrated (and probably adjusted) at the right time frame, maximizing benefit and minimizing cost.
 
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