Calibration & Traceability

Mitutoyo´s Knowledge Base

Mitutoyo´s Knowledge Base - Calibration & Traceability

The Key to Reliable Measurement Results

Traceability

Traceability‘ is the key when it comes to calibration.

For calibrating measuring instruments or standards, which represent special values or limits, it is necessary to link/reference them to the physical base unit(s) they are meant for (e.g. the meter m).

More Details and Downloads

To obtain these links, the national metrological institutes offer calibrations with their national primary standards, which are the definitive definition or realization of their unit of measure.
Standards calibrated in this manner are so-called secondary standards.
The third level of standard, a standard that is periodically calibrated against a secondary standard, is known as a working standard. Working standards are used for the calibration of commercial and industrial measurement equipment.
For calibration, it is essential to use standards traceable to the primary standards, since we use the same units. To document this, the standards used with their valid calibration mark have to be stated in the calibration certificate.

Download Mitutoyo´s Traceability System Chart

Mitutoyo Traceability Chart (PDF, 0,29 MB)

A Quick Definition of

Calibration

Calibration is the process to determine deviations from a device or standard. This may include a validation of conformity (e.g. the product specifications) and to document the results, the method of calibration, and the standards used for the calibration a certificate of calibration will be created.

More Details and Downloads

Calibration (and recalibration) of measurement devices and working standards in the industries is necessary to confirm the proper function and more importantly, ensure quality.
To provide recognized calibrations, laboratories have to be at least accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025
Measurement to a consistently high level of accuracy can only be achieved if instruments are periodically calibrated against traceable standards

See a List of Mitutoyo’s Global Accredited Calibration Labs

List of Mitutoyo´s Global Accredited Calibration Labs (PDF, 0,29 MB)

Doing the Math

Measurement Uncertainty

Measurements are always uncertain to a defined quantity.

There are existing several statistical methods to obtain the uncertainty according to the confidence you need. Usually, the measurement of uncertainty is given with a confidence of ≈95%.

More Details

By watching to chain of calibrations, from primary standard down to working standard [see ‘traceability’], the uncertainty of measurement will rise, because every further calibration contains the uncertainties of the standards used and in addition the uncertainty of the method of the calibration. The uncertainty of measurement in fact reflects the quality grade of the calibration.
For calibration purposes, you are always looking for better standards and/or better methods to push your uncertainty of measurement stated in the calibration certificate.
For customer's purposes, it is an economic matter of requirements vs. price. In reality, the majority of customers aren't familiar with the uncertainty of measurement. This results in decisions being made mostly by predetermined standards set up in contracts or business guidelines.

Confirming the Competences

Accreditation

Accreditations - the reliable instrument confirming competence.

Calibration laboratories may obtain accreditation by their national accreditation body, which is the DAkkS in the Federal Republic of Germany, the UKAS in the UK, and the RvA in the Netherlands for example.

More Details

An accreditation by these bodies confirms that organizations such as testing, inspection, and certification bodies can undertake their activities competently in accordance with internationally recognized standards and in line with the regulatory requirements. This establishes confidence in the important work of these independent conformity assessment bodies and their services in all sectors of the economy.
Also, accreditation ensures the international recognition of conformity assessments, contributing to free trade in Europe and around the world.
Actually, accredited calibrations had become more of interest because of contracts and guidelines between the industry and their suppliers. Especially the automotive industry demands ‘more trusted’ calibrations for their suppliers.

More and more customers seem to prefer accredited calibrations because of some kind of insecurity with proprietary calibration.

See here our certifications & accreditations page

Stay Tuned

Recommended Calibration Frequencies

A calibration interval is the period of time established for a test instrument to be recalibrated. Mitutoyo recommends recalibrating your instruments frequently to be confident they are performing the best and most accurate way possible.

Recommended Recalibration Frequencies

List of Products:

Mitutoyo Product	Tools for Technical Service / Workshop etc.	Tools / Standards for Calibration Laboratory	Recommended Regular Internal Checks
Micrometer	1 Year
Bore Gauges / Holtest	1 Year
Caliper	1 Year
Dial and Digimatic/ Linear Gauges	2 Years
Laser Scan Micrometer	1 Year to 3 Years	1 Year	3 Months
Microscopes / Projectors	1 Year to 2 Years		Regulary
Checkmaster up to 1010 mm	2 Years	2 Years
Checkmaster over 1010 mm from RvA	2 Years	--
Checkmaster over 1010 mm	Initial Re-Calibration after 1 Year. Then every 2 Years.	1 Year
Glass Scales and Masks	5 Years	3 Years
Gauge Blocks up to 100 mm	4 Years	Initial Re-Calibration after 1.5 Years (over 15 mm). Then every 3 Years.
Gauge Blocks over 100 mm	3 Years	Initial Re-Calibration after 1.5 Years. Then every 3 Years.
FMI Tools (X-Tools, Triangles, Square Blocks, Cylinders, Dumbbells, etc.)	3 Years	3 Years
Reference Hemispheres	3 Years	5 Years
Roughness Specimen	1.5 Years in Workshop. 3 Years in Technical Service.	5 Years
Setting Rings, Pin Gauges	3 Years	3 Years
Masterballs	3 Years	3 Years
Dial Gauge Tester	2 Years	1 Year	3 Months
Hardness Plates	5 Years	5 Years
Thermometer	1 Year	2 Years
Thermometer Pt 100	1 Year	1 Year
Electrical devices (Oscilloscopes, Multimeter, etc.)	1 Year	1 Year
Granite Plates and Squares	5 Years	3 Years
Universal Height Master	3 Years	2 Years
Laser Interferometer	2 Years	2 Years	3 Months
3D Coordinate Measuring Machines	1 Year	1 Year	3 Months
Gauge Block Tester	1 Year	1 Year	3 Months
Roughness/Roundness/Length Measuring Machines	1 Year	1 Year	3 Months
2D / 3D Vision Measuring Machines	1 Year	1 Year	3 Months

In general for new items choose a shorter interval in the beginning. When you have results over a longer duration which you can compare you can adapt the interval.

Linkit tuotteisiin

MiSTAR 555 - CNC-toiminen mittauskone tuotanto-olosuhteisiin

Monipuolinen, helppokäyttöinen ja kompakti muotoilu pienellä tilatarpeella.

Lue lisää

Formtracer Avant - Pinnankarheuden ja muodonmittauksen edelläkävijä

Tilaa säästävä rakenne, monipuolinen toiminnoiltaan ja helppokäyttöinen ohjelmisto sekä laajennettavissa tarpeidesi mukaan.

Lue lisää

60 päivän ilmainen testaus - MCOSMOS V5 ja MiCAT Planner

Lisätietoa ohjelmistojemme testaamisesta vapaasta käytöstä saat paikalliselta Mitutoyon yhteyshenkilöltä. Haluaisitko kokeilla kumpaakin ohjelmistoa jo tänään?

Lue lisää

Ota yhteys paikalliseen Mitutoyoon lisätietojen saamiseksi.