Gage Tip of the Month - Gage Calibration Is an Investment in Quality Production
Making sure that measuring instruments are properly calibrated is critical to quality manufacturing operations. A gage that
doesn't read accurately and repeatably can compromise the integrity of quality control and quality assurance documentation,
and destroy confidence in measuring results. At their worst, inaccurate gages can result in the production of nonconforming
parts.
Gage calibration represents an important, if not fully appreciated, manufacturing discipline. It should be viewed as an
investment. Gage calibration is the foundation upon which a quality program can be built.
More than simple adjustment
Gage calibration determines the deviation from the true value of the indication supplied by a measuring instrument. The results
of the calibration process can be used for gage adjustment. Calibration goes beyond simple adjustment, however. A calibrated
gage can be traced back to a master source. Traceability provides the value added to the calibration process.
A trained technician determines the accuracy of the gage by measuring a recognized standard master artifact traceable, in the
United States, to the National Institute of Standards and Technology or similar international organizations. The calibration
process is performed by following a set of test procedures developed for specific instruments. The idea is to perform the
measuring operation in conditions as near to ideal as possible to assure that the readings show the real accuracy and
repeatability of the gage and are not caused by intervening factors. MORE--->
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