For Reference Only gages to appear on Master List of Gages?

N

noboost4you

#1
For product realization, we use test gauges as gages everyday. Those gauges are on a set calibration interval and are labeled as such. These gauges are also listed on our Master List of Gages.

Gages that are not used for product realization, such as For Reference Only gages, are not currently listed on the Master List of Gages. Simply because they have no set calibration interval, are not used for product realization, and are infrequently used.

My question is, should those For Reference Only gages be listed on a Master List of Gages that contain information such as Calibration Method, Last Calibration, Next Calibration, and Calibration Status?

I'm thinking no, but I'd like to hear what other covers have to say.

:thanx:
 
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D

delawarebill

#3
How infrequently do you use them? Are you using them for something that you can use a calibrated gage for? You may want to think about simply getting rid of them...
 

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#4
I concur with your current practice.

Reference only gauges are just that: reference only (F.R.O.). I think I'm alluding to maybe what Carol was asking about: What are your functions of the list?

I say you could have the F.R.O. gauges on a master equipment/asset list, if you have a separate recall list. If you just have one list, I would have a very clear division of them (F.R.O. devices and calibration activity recall list).

If your tracking in excel, make a separate sheet. In Access or other databases, I might designate a different status.
 
N

noboost4you

#5
We do not utilize any tracking methods for gages. Our company is relatively small and we've never been concerned about tracking said gages.

They are used very infrequently, but not to the point where we would be able to get rid of them. We do not use them for product realization. They are only used when necessary.

The Master List will contain the gages that are used on a daily basis that have set calibration intervals.

Also, these F.R.O. gages (thread, step, plug, etc) are located in a large cabinet and are placed no where else. Would it be acceptable to just label the outside of the cabinet "For Reference Only" ?

Thanks everyone
 
N

noboost4you

#6
Also, to take it a step further, is it required to state the exact date of the calibration due date on the Master List? We individually label each gage with it's own sticker that displays who calibrated it, when it was calibrated, the due date, calibrated to what standard, serial number, etc. It would seem redundant to have to update the Master List of Gages every single time a gage was calibrated.

I figured I could just list the Equipment (Gage), location, and calibration method (internal or external). If that's the case, I'll put that information under section 7.6 of the ISO 9001:2000 standard in the Quality Manual and do away with the list altogether.

Comments?
 

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#7
GOOD! You keep them in a separate cabinet. That's a good thing. You need to also have them marked on the devices. It's too easy to get them mixed up. You want people to be able to pick up a device and know it's status.

Have you thought about getting a spreadsheet or something for tracking? It will make your job easier to assure you did not miss anything. Also, you can link a sheet to it and keep track of your costs.

As far as your master list, that is your document, to benefit you. List by month, day, week, etc. however it meets your needs. It's way more important to be able to show you have effective control over your instruments, and have established a routine calibration recall system.

Whether you list calibration dates/due dates on the list is your call. You will need to have a system that assure timely recall of the instruments, and that no past due instruments are being utilized. If you can train the users to accomplish this, then good. Otherwise, I would set up a recall system.

There are some pretty good systems set up in Excel and Access that can accomplish what you need.
 
#8
How infrequently do you use them? Are you using them for something that you can use a calibrated gage for? You may want to think about simply getting rid of them...
Good point Bill.:applause:

What exactly are these gauges used for? The frequency of use etc. has nothing to do with effective management of your measuring equipment.
The key criterion here is: "Are they used to make decisions on the compliance of product and/or process to specification?"

If not, then what benefit is their use? Warm and fuzzy operators? If there's no tangible benefit, then why have them, run the risk of them being used when a calibrated one should have been (it was broken, out of service, being recalled) etc.??

It's also possible, since you're running 'two systems', people won't take the 'formal one' seriously and that's risky too. "We do this for ISO and that for us" kinda thing.

You might want to reconsider what the risks are here, small company notwithstanding.
 
N

noboost4you

#9
Occassionally they may be used to check a small sample of incoming product. While that is a very rare activity, it does happen.
 

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#10
Occassionally they may be used to check a small sample of incoming product. While that is a very rare activity, it does happen.
Then at that point, they are not "For Reference Only". I'm not sure how many devices you looking at here, but it may be worth it to you to go ahead and have them calibrated. If they have a consistent history, you can extend the recall date.
 
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