Optimize Calibration Efforts in 5 Steps

The only way to ensure that measurements deliver the kind of cost, quality and revenue results that help improve profitability over their entire lifetime is to choose the right procedure and schedule to periodically maintain, calibrate and adjust your scale. Industrial environments are tough on scales. Periodic calibration alerts you to a device that is out of specification, such as a faulty sensor, cable or mechanical component, and identifies poor performance due to debris, abuse, temperature or water ingress. Therefore, the frequency of calibration and routine user testing should coincide with a a risk analysis for each weighing process. Although industry standards and regulations, such as ISO9001, BRC, FDA and GMP, do not recommend how often measuring devices need to be calibrated and tested, there are several steps you can take to ensure your scale achieves maximum efficiency and profitability. Risk-based Analysis in Five Steps A major revision of ISO9001 in 2015 has changed to include risk-based thinking. Here are the 5 steps you need to know to help assess how frequently calibration and routine testing should be performed: Are You Ready for ISO9001:2015? Optimize Calibration Efforts in Five Steps Se rv ic e Ch ec kl is t Importance of Calibration 2 METTLER TOLEDO Service Checklist © 11/2016 Mettler-Toledo GmbH Se rv ic e Ch ec kl is t Step 1 Evaluate the impact of wrong/inaccurate weighing results on your business process. Examples include: • loss of material and time • out of specification • frequency of production stoppage • potential product recall • damage to your reputation Step 2 Determine the impact of wrong measurements on staff, consumers and the environment. Step 3 Estimate the probability of the faulty measurement’s detection through existing testing methods prior to shipment. Severity (Impact) Likelihood (Probability) Hig her ris k = m ore te stin g 1 2 3 4 5 Weight 500g 500g 500g Calibration & Adjustment (by service)520g Smallest net weight Sa fe ty Fa ct or 520g Calibration Interval Calibration Interval Time Calibration and Adjustment (when necessary) by authorized service technician Routine testing by the instrument user Step 4 Determine the smallest net weight that must be weighed on the scale. By using your scale above this limit will ensure continuously good measurements. Step 5 Define which safety factor should be applied. The safety factor heavily depends on the environment. If the environment contains high amounts of vibration, wind or other disturbances such as untrained users, the safety factor should be set higher. www.mt.com For more information Se rv ic e Ch ec kl is t Risk-based Selection, Calibration and Operation METTLER TOLEDO has developed Good Weighing Practice™, a standardized scientific methodology for secure selection, calibration and operation of weighing equipment based on a thorough risk analysis described in the previously mentioned five steps. The METTLER TOLEDO GWP specialist will support you in defining the right intervals for calibration and routine testing of your weighing equipment based on an individualized risk-assessment and help you implement this into your quality management system. Risk-based calibration and routine intervals are intended to detect any errors that could lead to potential quality problems, business disruption, health issues and loss of material or time. In essence you decide the appropriate service based on your anticipated risks. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a GWP specialist, visit www.mt.com/gwp. METTLER TOLEDO Group Service Division Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts Subject to technical changes ©11/2016 METTLER TOLEDO. All rights reserved 30388042 MT-NA MarCom