questions RE: instrument calibration
questions RE: instrument calibration
(OP)
Does anyone know the procedures for certification of testing equipment so as to maintain ANSI, MIL, ASTM, NIST, and ISO standards? Are there any crossovers so that if one is ISO and MIL, that one is also automatically ASTM, etc.?
For example, what is the schedule for calibration of equipment? Does it need to be done by an independent, or can I utilize strict procedures and thoroughly train someone to do this in-house? We want to do it right and the annual expense is somewhat unreal.
Thanks.
For example, what is the schedule for calibration of equipment? Does it need to be done by an independent, or can I utilize strict procedures and thoroughly train someone to do this in-house? We want to do it right and the annual expense is somewhat unreal.
Thanks.





RE: questions RE: instrument calibration
With the changes brought about by MIL spec reform in the early 90s, many MIL specs have adopted commercial specs that were in use and just added a couple of extra qualification items. In other cases some MIL specs were adopted by industy, e.g. ASTM, and became the industry norm. The main goal was to reduce the amount of government expense at maintaining a vast standards library that was often times already repeated in industry.
You can see some MIl specs at http://astimage.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/
Go there and type in 38793 in the document number block to get a manual on how to write your calibration manual.
Also try 1839 to get MIL-STD-1839 and MIL-HDBK-1839, which deal with standard practice for calibration and measurement requirements.
Andy
RE: questions RE: instrument calibration
One key to a valid calibration program is its traceability. For instance, all calibrations should be traceable to a recognized standard, such as NIST.
ASTM and other standards organization usually provide performance, not calibration requirements. As an example, they might dictate the physical dimensions of a piece of test or measurement equipment, with allowable tolerances, but not the calibration method or requirements.