If you work with torque tools or other instruments relying on measurement or accuracy, why should you invest in calibration?
The focus of this article will be on the importance of calibration, and how the experienced team at Xcalibration can assist you.
What is Calibration?
If we’re going to talk about the importance of calibration for torque tools and other instruments, we should probably start with the basics. What is calibration?
Calibration is a technical term used to ensure the readings your tool (be it a scale, nutrunner or something else) is giving you equates with a regular measuring device.
Depending on the variance (i.e. the tolerance), any adjustments are made to ensure the tool is running consistently, accurately and in accordance with regulations or manufacturer’s recommendations.
The Importance of Calibration
In manufacturing and other industries where precision is of high importance, calibration of your instruments cannot be ignored. A tool that has not been calibrated on a regular basis runs the risk of providing you with:
Inaccurate Measurements
Let’s break this down and use a shipping scale as an example. If the scale is not calibrated properly, it cannot be trusted to read measurements accurately.
In freight this can be a huge problem and cause issues that extend not only to the supplier and receiver of whatever goods you are measuring, but also transportation problems if the truck or plane is not equipped to handle the load you have inaccurately measured.
Poor Quality Control
In an industry such as manufacturing, you may find that your company’s stringent quality control measures are being breached due to an improperly calibrated instrument.
Consider the time, money and effort wasted if the products you are producing do not meet your high standard of practice. Even one mistake could harm your business’ reputation and cause you to lose customers, which is something no one wants.
Safety Risks
Depending on what you create, you may be putting yourself, your staff and your customers at risk if you expect them to use improperly calibrated equipment.
For instance, if you have a rule that workers aren’t supposed to lift anything heavier than 5kg – and the instrument incorrectly reads your load as 4.5kg so your staff member lifts it and injures themselves – you may be at fault because you’ve facilitated an unsafe work environment.
So too if you’ve provided a part in manufacturing or construction that an instrument has measured as a certain dimension, and it’s applied to something like a bridge or scaffold.
If that part doesn’t actually meet the dimensions you’ve been given, and it causes an issue with the scaffolding or bridge, you’ve inadvertently put a lot of people in danger.
Deadline Blowout = Wasted Time & Money
Are you supplying a company working on a time sensitive project?
If so, and you’ve provided them with a product that has been manufactured with incorrectly calibrated instruments, think of all the time and money you and your client has wasted having to return the product, and have it manufactured or installed again.
That can really harm your business if your processes are suddenly inefficient and it results in your clients going elsewhere (or even telling others not to use your services due to poor results).
How Xcalibration Can Help
Calibration is our business and we’ve been working with torque tools and other instruments for decades. From HV testing to onsite maintenance, servicing and more, we’ve got you covered. Our equipment and staff members are some of the best in the industry and are always one step ahead of the competition.
Talk to us today about your calibration needs by getting in touch with the experienced Xcalibration team.
