Everyone involved with measurement technology knows the somewhat flippant ? but very catchy ? statement: ?If you measure a whole lot, you measure nothing!? What’s meant by that is: It is possible to measure a lot. But the values are only useful when you can validate them. In everyday life, for example, one may be surprised once the scales at home show a large deviation from those at the physician?s or the bicycle speedometer deviates many a huge selection of metres from the GPS instrument. The word also often alludes to your tendency to generate increasingly more data in our modern world, without thinking about its evaluation. In order to obtain valid data with which to continue working, it really is worthwhile for industrial measuring instruments to be calibrated regularly.
For the individual, the best accuracy may not be important. In industrial applications, however, it really is precisely this that can make the key difference between rejects and the best quality ? hence the calibration of the measuring instruments. It serves to complement the measuring device with the national standard ? in short: to check whether the values are correct.
Traceability to the national standard
The keyword here’s thus the traceability to the national standard. Understanding that the respective measuring instrument measures the right value could be of great importance for most applications. For instance, ISO 9000 requires that the deviations of the test equipment used should be monitored. With an up-to-date calibration, passing the audit is not any problem. This avoids the repetition of the audit, production downtime or perhaps a recall ? and thus reduces stress, time and costs. The expenditure on the calibration has thus quickly covered itself. Everyone is happy.
Besides meeting the audit requirements, traceability can also be necessary for quality assurance, optimising resource utilisation and reducing energy consumption. Finally, probably the most convincing reason to have one?s own measuring devices checked relative to the current standard may be the feeling of security: The measuring instruments will continue to supply the correct values!
Certification relative to the German accreditation body
The illustration shows how the four calibration sequences in accordance with DKD-R 3-3 differ.
The highest standard for this may be the calibration certificate of the German accreditation body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle ? DAkkS). WIKA has offered certification for pressure, temperature and electrical measurands (DC current, DC voltage and DC resistance) for some time. Since the beginning of 2022, tecsis has been accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025 for the measurand force.
Just what a DAkkS-certified calibration of force measuring instruments means is shown by the example of high-end force transducers, which are employed in calibration machines. In their case, the test sequence follows the EN ISO 376 standard. At least eight measuring stages are approached, with a total of five preloads, two upward series and two up-down series. In addition, the force transducers are each rotated by 120�, which results in three installation positions. With 65 measured values (eight stages), the effort is correspondingly high. The price for such a calibration goes together with this.
Regarding industrial devices, the question arises concerning whether such a procedure is worthwhile. Alternatively, the DKD-R 3-3 directive can be applied. Quadruple describes four test sequences which might be selected based on the requirements. WIKA and tecsis likewise have DAkkS certification for this.
An additional option for regular calibration is the non-standardised 3.1 inspection certificate.
Practical examples
An illustrative exemplory case of the usefulness of regular calibration may be the checking of hydraulic compression force transducers. These instruments measure the clamping forces of industrial machines such as punches, pneumatic presses, sealing presses, spindle presses, tablet presses and toggle lever presses. Here, calibration offers a contribution to ensuring safe working conditions.
Another example is the instrumentation for checking the contact forces of welding tongs. Ideally, these are monitored continuously by built-in tension/compression force transducers, but they may also be checked at set intervals using a test set for measuring electrode forces (model FSK01). This ensures the standard of the welding points and reduces wear on the electrodes.
For the tension/compression force transducers mentioned, calibration can be worthwhile, should they be utilized for monitoring very precise production steps. When pressing in mobile phone displays, for example, both the measuring instruments and their calibration can quickly pay off: If an error in such a process is not noticed immediately (for instance, if only the travel is controlled), thousands of euros in material value could be destroyed within minutes.
Adjustment before calibration can be handy
Depending on the instrument, application and regulation, it may be worthwhile to have an adjustment carried out before calibration. In this way, the user ensures that their measuring instrument achieves the corresponding accuracy during calibration. For the calibration itself, the user has the option of choosing the type and procedure, both for our own and for third-party products.
Note
On the WIKA website you will discover further information on the average person calibration services as well as on WIKA force measuring instruments (offers are also available in the online shop). When you have any questions, your contact will gladly assist you to.
Also read our post
Calibration or adjustment ? Where?s the difference?