Calibration is essential for maintaining the quality of products, services, and processes in various industries – from manufacturing and engineering to healthcare and aviation.
While off-site calibration is common practice, it has its limitations. Many businesses are turning to on-site calibration services to minimise downtime, reduce cost implications, and improve the accuracy and long-term reliability of their equipment. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive overview of on-site calibration, its benefits, and which types of calibration can be done on-site.
Importance Of Calibration To Retain Accuracy And Reliability
Inaccurate measurements can have significant consequences, including defective products, service failures and safety hazards. Calibration is a preventive maintenance process that ensures the accuracy and reliability of equipment. It also provides traceability to national and international measurement standards, giving businesses confidence in their processes, products, and services.
Advantages Of On-Site Calibration
On-site calibration processes offer several benefits compared with traditional off-site calibration processes. It reduces equipment downtime, as the equipment is calibrated in its natural operating environment. It also minimises the risk of damage or loss during transportation to a calibration lab. On-site calibration is more efficient and cost-effective than off-site calibration because it eliminates shipping costs, reduces the turnaround time, and reduces the need for equipment replacement. If you are interested to know more then please visit our on-site calibration services page
What Is Involved In On-Site Calibration?
As the name suggests, calibration technicians come out to your business’s location to perform calibration on your equipment. The technician will bring the necessary testing equipment and calibration standards to perform the calibration onsite. They may also provide technical services to diagnose any issues or recommend repairs if needed.
What Types Of Equipment Can Be Calibrated On-Site?
On-site calibration services can be used for various types of equipment. This includes:
- Electrical equipment: multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, function generators, and other electrical equipment.
- Temperature and humidity equipment: thermometers, temperature controllers, hygrometers, and other environmental sensors.
- Pressure equipment: pressure gauges, manometers, vacuum gauges, and other pressure sensors.
- Dimensional equipment: micrometres, callipers, height gauges, and other measuring tools.
- Mechanical equipment: torque wrenches, force gauges, load cells, and other mechanical equipment.
- Flow equipment: flow meters, mass flow controllers, and other flow measurement devices.
How On-Site Calibration Differs From Off-Site Calibration
Off-site calibration involves shipping equipment to a calibration laboratory, where the technicians perform calibration using calibration standards. On-site calibration, on the other hand, involves the calibration technician visiting the business’s location to perform the calibration on the equipment.
The primary difference between on-site and off-site calibration is the equipment’s operating environment. On-site calibration provides more accurate results because the calibration is performed in the equipment’s natural environment. This reduces any variations in measurement caused by transportation and other environmental factors.
What Are The Benefits Of On-Site Calibration?
On-site calibration has several benefits that make it an attractive option for businesses. These benefits include:
- Reduced downtime: the equipment can be calibrated while it is still in use. This minimises production disruption and improves productivity.
- Reduced costs: eliminates the need for shipping, reduces turnaround time, and eliminates the need for equipment replacement.
- Improved accuracy: the equipment is calibrated in its natural operating environment. This eliminates any variations caused by transportation and other environmental factors, resulting in more reliable and accurate measurements.
- Convenience: the equipment can be calibrated at a time that is most convenient for the business.
- Faster turnaround time: the equipment does not need to be shipped to a laboratory.
How Can Companies Choose The Best On-Site Calibration For Their Needs?
Choosing the best on-site calibration service provider requires consideration of several factors. You should look for a provider which has:
- Experience and expertise: have a proven track record of providing on-site calibration services to businesses in the same industry.
- Accreditation: accredited to ISO 17025, which is the international standard for calibration and testing laboratories. This ensures that the calibration results are traceable to national and international standards.
- Equipment and standards: uses state-of-the-art equipment and standards to ensure accurate and reliable calibration results.
- Turnaround time: provides a fast turnaround time to minimise downtime and production disruption.
- Cost: offers competitive pricing without compromising on the quality of service.
- Technical support: offers further technical support to diagnose any issues and recommend repairs if needed.
Conclusion – Is It For You?
On-site calibration provides several benefits over off-site calibration, including reduced downtime, reduced cost implications, and increased accuracy. On-site calibration services can calibrate various types of equipment, including electrical, temperature and humidity, pressure, dimensional, mechanical, and flow equipment. Companies should choose the best on-site calibration service provider based on experience and expertise, accreditation, equipment and standards, turnaround time, cost, and technical support.
Why Choose GNW?
GNW has decades of experience in offering on-site instrument calibration and technical services that provide businesses with accurate and reliable calibration results. We provide ongoing services to ensure that your machinery stays reliable and lasts for longer – protecting your business from productivity issues while keeping your business compliant with the latest standards and saving you money.
Contact GNW to learn more about what types of calibration can be done on-site.