In an industry where data and measurements are primary considerations in everyday work, expensive equipment is needed to ensure you are providing accurate and reliable readings. In fact, some people even go to the extent of saying that scientists are only as good as their tools. Therefore, making sure your equipment is providing accurate readings is crucial to your business.
Producing reliable and accurate data is of great importance as various fields rely on them. This is where calibration of equipment comes into play. What is calibration? Calibration is the process of evaluating and adjusting your equipment to ensure that it provides precise and reliable results.
In the sections below, we will cover some of the main signs your equipment needs to be calibrated, as well as the different types of calibration and which types of equipment are best for each type.
One of the most common signs that your equipment needs to be calibrated is because your schedule says so. Just like getting your car inspected every year, it is a standard procedure to not only have your equipment calibrated upon purchase but also annually. However, this can be very dependent upon the industry and the use of the equipment. Some industries and equipment may need to be calibrated more often than others based upon their role and direct impact on quality.
A great example of this is if your business is certified under a specific industry-standard agency such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). If this is the case, you may be required to follow guidelines for how often your equipment must be calibrated, and if you fail to follow these guidelines, you could lose your certification.
It is always best practice to have your equipment recalibrated after it has been damaged or recently repaired, even if the damaged or repaired area wasn’t anywhere near the measurement area. Why? Damage and repairs can cause other internal problems or changes without intent. For example, when a piece of equipment is repaired, a sensor may get bumped unintentionally, or if a tool or gage is dropped, it could throw off the calibration. Overall, any time a piece of equipment is damaged or has a repair made to it, it is best to take precautionary measures to ensure accurate results and measurements.
Probably the second most common indicator that your equipment needs to be calibrated is inconsistent and poor results. Some of the most common occurrences within this category include products that do not meet specifications or machinery that fails to operate as intended. Unexpected outcomes may occur here and there, so make sure to keep an eye out for results that are consistently outside of specifications.
A great way to combat this is by consistently checking and rechecking the readings of the instruments along with the quality and specifications of the final products. Overall, if you notice a result that is even a little bit out of the norm, especially over a period of time, having your machine calibrated can never be the wrong choice.
Another reason equipment needs to be calibrated is customer requests. This may vary depending upon your industry and the services you provide, but customers may request your equipment be calibrated to ensure that they are receiving accurate results. This will not only help you deliver accurate results for the customer at hand but also many to follow. It can also act as a preventative measure and help you avoid results that are out of the norm or catch results that are just outside of the norm. While this is a relatively rare reason for equipment calibration, it is still something you may come across.
Are you in the process of looking for calibration services, or is your equipment providing out-of-the-norm results? If so, look no further. Here at Gerber Metrology, we have over 45 years of experience and have grown into one of the premier weighing equipment and calibration companies in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Our calibration services are delivered via our in-house laboratory or on-site at our customers’ facilities and cover equipment within various industries.
Quality is something we take extremely seriously as our clients depend on us to help them provide quality products and services for their customers. As a testimony to our quality, we are ISO 9001 registered by NQA, ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 accredited through ANAB.
You can learn more about what it’s like to work with us by reading some of our customer testimonials.
“We enjoy partnering with Garber Metrology to deliver the highest quality parts to our customers,” said one of our machining and hydraulics customer.
To learn more about our calibration services, contact us online or call us at 1-717-393-1708 today!
