The calibration of a gauge is acknowledged as the procedure to check as well as adjust gages. It ensures that they have been reading precisely. This is a hugely vital factor as all gages are habitually utilized for measuring critical dimensions on products and parts, and when a gage does not emerge as calibrated ideally, it results in wrong measurements. This, in turn, causes many quality issues down the line.
People use various methods to calibrate gages. A popular process is to utilize master gages, and they are calibrated to some known standards. Another well-known method is utilizing comparison gaging. In this method, the gauge gets checked. Again, it is also compared to other gages that seem to be accurate. And finally, a few gages are calibrated utilizing some special equipment or software.
The importance
Every gaging equipment ought to be periodically calibrated as it would ensure that it can perform its awaited task, such as measuring parts precisely. Forming and maintaining regular programs of gage calibration seems to be important not only for maintaining quality but satisfying customer needs too. With time, hundreds and thousands of OEMs need suppliers to document their efforts of quality from the start to the end. A popular display of this trend is the ISO 9000. ISO 9000 is compelling companies to test their programs of calibration and recognize their weakness. Again, it also asks the companies to make improvements where it seems necessary.
A few big companies emerge as successful in justifying the price to employ as well as train specialists who are adept at the methods of calibrating gage and providing them with all the resources and equipment they require for performing all the duties of calibration in-house virtually. However, for the majority of the machine shops, the economical approach remains to employ calibration services.
The purpose of gage calibration
The ISO, or the International Organization for Standardization, sets the standards for the calibration of gages. And the NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology) ensures quality control. When international standards are set for precision and accuracy in gage measurements, it serves three purposes, and they all ensure that standards have been met:
Traceability – Gage calibration should be kept updated because of traceability. This is regarded as the capability of tracing the measurements, and it is considered a way to ensure that every part is precise.
Assessing part tolerances – Everyone avoids manufacturing inaccurate parts. And in this matter, the calibration of a gage becomes important. This works as a preventive measure. When there is a precisely calibrated machine, will help in ensuring quality as it assists in evaluating part tolerance correctly.
Forecasting yields – A vital aspect of lessening potential losses is to forecast product yield accurately. In all kinds of manufacturing, no one can avert part failure, but when you can predict the parts that would fail correctly, you can create superior quality products easily.
Conclusion
When all the above-mentioned standards are used for gage calibration, they will help in preventing losses. When you determine your measurement’s accuracy, you can ensure smooth operation. Again, you can emerge as a dependable manufacturer too.
