The art of precision measurement is essentially all about the data that is obtained in the process and the value that it brings to a manufacturing operation. It is about making decisions based on high quality data. Calibration is performed to help ensure that data is as accurate as possible by confirming the quality of measurements. It is usually done by comparing the measurement obtained by a specific instrument with a known measurement (the standard). This process is critically important as it enables manufacturers to have confidence in the measurement results that are recorded, and most importantly, the decisions that are made based on the resulting data.
However, a measurement instrument’s accuracy may ‘drift’ over time due to numerous factors such as normal wear and tear, vibrations, dynamics of the manufacturing environment, improper use and more. This gradual shift in the instrument’s measured values can cause errors, resulting in quality issues and potentially even safety hazards. Therefore, calibrations should be performed throughout a precision measurement instrument’s lifetime to ensure accurate, reliable, and repeatable measurements. In fact, standards such as ISO 9000 and ISO 17025 call for a formal, periodic, and documented calibration of measuring instruments.