Importance of Calibration to Different Industries
Calibration is a fundamental process that ensures accuracy and reliability in various industries. Whether it is manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, or any other sector, calibration plays a crucial role in maintaining quality, safety, and efficiency. It involves comparing measurements obtained from an instrument or device with a known standard to detect and correct any inaccuracies or deviations.Â
As technology advances and demands for precision increase, calibration has become even more critical to the success and sustainability of different industries. In this article, we will explore the importance of calibration in different sectors:
Trade
Think what would happen to commercial trade if measurements weren’t precise. Without precise measurements assured by calibration, both the seller and the buyer would wonder if they’re getting their fair share in the trade. Would fewer people conduct trade due to the risks? Could trade companies survive the impact of imprecise measurements? Precise measurements assured by calibration allow those who trade in gold, grain, oil and millions of other products to be confident in transactions and to run their local or global businesses with reliable information. Thanks to calibration programs, you don’t have to think much about buying a gallon of gasoline or an ounce of gold.
Pharmaceutical
How comfortable would you be taking medication if quantity measurements weren’t frequently calibrated? Additionally, many medications must be manufactured within tight temperature and humidity tolerances to be effective and non-harmful. Did you know that even a pipette that measures out drops of liquid in a pharmaceutical manufacturing process is calibrated? Calibration allows billions of people around the world to take medications with assurances of effectiveness and safety.
Medical
To further illustrate the importance of calibration, consider the life-giving and life-improving impacts that medical devices like pacemakers have on millions of people worldwide.
A Boston Scientific pacemaker made to exacting specifications with the help of test and measurement devices whose accuracy has been assured by calibration to the SI.
Mike Imholte, Sr. Calibration Technician at Boston Scientific, a manufacturer of pacemakers, explains, “When you realize a pacemaker goes inside a person’s chest and connects directly to the heart, it’s easier to understand why a properly working and reliable pacemaker requires many precise measurements and tests. And to make sure our testing devices and manufacturing equipment is producing within very tight measurement tolerances, we regularly calibrate them with the best quality calibrators. Given the criticality of meeting specifications, we need to have the assurance that calibration provides throughout the entire manufacturing process. This is why calibration is necessary.”
Unlike most of the world who aren’t aware of the importance of calibration and don’t understand why it is important to calibrate, Mike says, “the significance of calibration can’t be overstated. Our testing tools and manufacturing processes must be accurate. Both we and millions of people with pacemakers, whether they realize it or not, rely on calibration for that purpose.”
Transportation
Think of the billions of people around the world who rely on automobiles, trains, and planes for travel every day. Then consider the thousands of pieces that make up the cars, trains, and planes. It’s mind-boggling to think about but doing so can increase appreciation for the role and need of calibration.
Without the assurance of calibration, how discomforting would it be to look out a plane window and wonder if the bolts and rivets that hold things together were manufactured to exacting metallurgical and mechanical specifications? With proper calibration of test and measurement devices, manufacturing equipment, guidance systems, and processes, you can feel quite assured on your next plane ride that you’ll arrive safely at your precise destination.
Aerospace
Not much imagination is required to guess at the need for calibration in the aerospace industry. The manufacture of planes, rockets, and satellites requires millions of pieces for assembly which each need to perform as specified to avoid disaster.
Test and measurement devices used in design, testing, and manufacturing help ensure that manufacturing equipment and processes perform as specified to turn out a final product that works as designed. To verify their accuracy, the test and measurement devices are calibrated by more accurate calibrators and reference standards that are calibrated to the SI. In this way, we have increased assurance that measurements in manufacture and assembly are accurate and reliable.
An example of why calibration is important in the aerospace industry is provided by the International Space Station.
One of the many important safety features of the space station is the ability for the astronauts to see out the windows. Because the temperature of space is about -270 degrees Celsius, the outside of the window is very cold. Inside the space station, the air is warm and humid, so the astronauts are comfortable. If the humid air meets a window at -270 degrees Celsius, ice would form as the water vapor in the air freezes on the window eventually damaging the space station and obscuring views of the outside.
To prevent that problem, the windows are heated and monitored by a temperature sensor on the window. The temperature sensor is tested with a Fluke test and measurement device. In turn, the test and measurement device is regularly calibrated by a calibrator, which is calibrated to the SI. In this way, all have confidence that the sensor is operating properly so that systems keep the window functional, contributing to the safety and success of the space station astronauts.
(Source: Fluke Calibration USA)
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