Q
Hello:
I have read through other prior threads and postings regarding go/no go gauge calibration. I have a question regarding a specific fixture and our plan to calibrate it prior to use. I would appreciate your input if you think this makes sense.
1. we are assembling various components inside a large box made of sheet metal. The customer had us build a fixture #1 on which we place the box for assembly. There are locating pins on the fixture, and the box has corresponding machined holes that allow it to rest on the fixture and stay in one place. FYI, fixture #1 is bolted to the floor and made from a painted metal stock that has been welded together.
2. the customer had us build a checking fixture #2 to verify that the fixture #1 was "in calibration". That fixture #2 has been verified for form and fit, such as it is made from a material with excellent dimensional stability and we know that its alignment holes are in the right place (using calibrated devices at the machine shop). We are calling fixture #2 calibrated. We have defined storage and handling conditions for fixture #2.
3. fixture #2 is then used to calibrate fixture #1 via a visual verification that the holes and pins fit together. If they do, then fixture #1 is within the tolerances for x and y dimensions we have to meet for overall size and squareness.
4. for records, I plan to keep the initial verification done for fixture #2 from the machine shop, and put it's re-calibration on a 2 year cycle (it gets used 10-15 times per year). I will also keep records of the calibration of fixture #1 each time we use fixture #2 to check it.
Does this make sense?
Thanks!
I have read through other prior threads and postings regarding go/no go gauge calibration. I have a question regarding a specific fixture and our plan to calibrate it prior to use. I would appreciate your input if you think this makes sense.
1. we are assembling various components inside a large box made of sheet metal. The customer had us build a fixture #1 on which we place the box for assembly. There are locating pins on the fixture, and the box has corresponding machined holes that allow it to rest on the fixture and stay in one place. FYI, fixture #1 is bolted to the floor and made from a painted metal stock that has been welded together.
2. the customer had us build a checking fixture #2 to verify that the fixture #1 was "in calibration". That fixture #2 has been verified for form and fit, such as it is made from a material with excellent dimensional stability and we know that its alignment holes are in the right place (using calibrated devices at the machine shop). We are calling fixture #2 calibrated. We have defined storage and handling conditions for fixture #2.
3. fixture #2 is then used to calibrate fixture #1 via a visual verification that the holes and pins fit together. If they do, then fixture #1 is within the tolerances for x and y dimensions we have to meet for overall size and squareness.
4. for records, I plan to keep the initial verification done for fixture #2 from the machine shop, and put it's re-calibration on a 2 year cycle (it gets used 10-15 times per year). I will also keep records of the calibration of fixture #1 each time we use fixture #2 to check it.
Does this make sense?
Thanks!