If your company intends on using an outside source for your calibration work, sooner or later a choice has to be made from a short list of candidates. The process required to get to that point is relatively simple, but someone who knows the metrology involved needs to be involved. If that turns out to be you, this column will give you some points to consider in the hope you don’t end up with embarrassing surprises at the end of it all.
Deciding what is required is the first step in the process. This may seem a ‘no brainer’ but in practice, this requirement is frequently ignored. It becomes a choice between what you ‘want’ versus what you ‘need.’ If all you want is a piece of official looking paper to wave in front of a quality auditor to show you’ve had the corporate jewels blessed by an independent firm, you can ignore most of this column. On the other hand, if you need assurance that your instruments and gages are suitable for your needs, pay attention—there may be a test at the end of this.