Every equipment
and devices used in the critical process such as measurement of hardness,
thickness, and temperature must be checked regularly to ensure that the
“reading” it generates is accurate and precise. As the device or equipment
exposed to everyday wear and tear, it tends to slip away from the standard. If
this happens, a device that slips away the outside of the expected limit should
be calibrated back to the to the standard acceptable performance level.
From the
agriculture to automotive industry, to factories and laboratories, to weather
and medical field accuracy is very important. It is essential that the devices
used to measure obtain accurate measurement. That is the calibration comes in. Calibration is a process of verifying that the readings obtained
from a particular instrument is within the standard. If the reading of a
measuring device is not within a specified tolerance, it must be calibrated so
that it is within the acceptable standard. There are three main reasons why precision calibration of measuring
instruments is important.
Calibration Ensures Safe Processes
Safety is the main
concern why it is important that measuring devices are properly calibrated. Measuring
parameters like electric current, force, temperature and such, it is important
that the quantities being measure is precise to guarantee the safety of the
product as well as the safety of the people who working along the process.
For instance, an
electrical or mechanical device use in the assembly line is not well-calibrated
it could pose a great risk on the people who are working with it. Another
example is in the food and drug industries, a single mistake in the measurement
of single component can present a grave danger.
Reduced wastage
A single error in
the measurement can cause huge amount of money in production. Every equipment
and devices that are not calibrated will eventually lead to wastage of
resources, time and manpower. In the case of perishable product like foods and
drinks, it may lead to throwing of spoiled products due to un-calibrated
temperature measuring device. It may also lead to recalling of products if the
error is not detected early on.
For example, in
the production of a moulded plastic part, if the drilling of the hole is not in
its precise location preventing two parts from being attached together the
process needs to be stopped and the parts to remade. A situation like this can
cost a lot of money, or worse if it is sold to a client. It can cause accident
that may result to injuries or even death. Periodic calibration
of gauges and instruments will greatly reduce the possibility of production
defects.
It Maintains Certification
Calibration laboratories need to maintain
certification in order for them to offer precision calibration services. It is very important that all their testing
instruments are fully calibrated all the time. To obtain and to keep their
certification, calibration lab has to undergo a meticulous inspection.
The instruments, equipment, as
well as the processes, technicians and quality systems are being checked and
reviewed carefully by accrediting organization such as
the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Having your instrument
tested by a certified and accredited calibration laboratory ensures that the
equipment sent to it will be calibrated precisely.
Every measuring instruments and devices has
its own time frame on how frequently it should be calibrated. Have your
instruments calibrated at least once a year. However, there are devices that
need to be calibrated more often. If you are using the instrument on daily
basis, its calibration cycle is definitely shorter than those you seldom use.
