Gage calibration is required in a way to make sure the accuracy of any ultrasonic measurement. With the simple process of gage calibration, the inaccurate thickness readings can be avoided.
Since gage can be possibly used over time and may become less accurate, the gage needs to be calibrated. The process of gage calibration is to program the gage with the speed of sound in the test material as well as any necessary zero offset that is required by the instrument, transducer type, or echo shape.
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.
Moreover, 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.
The gage 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.
Gage users have a choice when it comes to the calibration process. They can set up their own calibration laboratory and perform gage calibration in-house, send gages to commercial calibration services or return gages to the original manufacturer for calibration.
Establishing an in-house calibration service represents a significant investment in facilities, equipment and trained personnel. Using independent or original equipment manufacturers’ calibration services can be costly, depending upon the number and types of gages that must be calibrated, and the turnaround time is often in the three-week to six-week range. Most users who have a variety of gage types use all three approaches.
Gage calibration is an important ingredient in an overall quality control program. As such, it must be given the same attention as other quality programs. That means that the calibration process must be structured and administered by a trained, competent staff. Consider it an investment in quality manufacturing insurance against the production of nonconforming parts.
A number of different calibrations for different materials and transducers can be stored in the gage and quickly recalled. It is very important to remember that a new calibration must be performed, or an appropriate programmed gage calibration be recalled, whenever the test material or transducer is changed, or if the temperature of the test material changes significantly. Additionally, periodic checks with samples of known thickness are recommended to verify that the gage is operating properly, especially in critical applications.
When you are going to calibrate the gage, you can use GAGEpack as the original gage management software for tracking gage calibration. GAGEpack is powerful gage calibration software that will save you time while increasing the accuracy of your gage management and measurement systems analysis. It allows you to maintain a complete history of your measurement devices, instruments, and gages. To ensure timely calibration, the software provides a variety of tools, such as calibration schedules and reports, alerts about failed and past due calibrations, gage location and status tracking, gage repair records, and audit trail for traceability.
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