SECTION 11 INSPECTION, MEASURING AND TEST EQUIPMENT
GENERAL POLICY
Accuracy of the required measurements is known and appropriate equipment is selected to perform the measurements. All measuring and test equipment used for verification of products is calibrated using calibration standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). Appropriate calibration periods are defined for each piece of test and measurement equipment. Calibration certificates are maintained. The calibration status of measuring equipment is identified with calibration stickers. The equipment is well maintained and its placement and use are controlled.
PROCEDURAL POLICIES
1. Scope
1.1 All measuring and test equipment, comparative references (such as critical machining fixtures, gauges and templates), and test software used for verification of products and for controlling of production processes are regularly calibrated and/or checked.
1.2 Equipment used for purposes other than verification of products or control of production processes is exempted from the requirement for calibration. Such equipment is labeled with stickers warning that it is not calibrated. Uncontrolled measuring equipment may not be used for controlled production inspections but may be stored in these areas for other applications.
2. Measurement Identification
2.1 Measurements and the required accuracy are identified on drawings and in written procedures by the Engineering department. Quality Assurance is responsible for selecting suitable equipment to perform the measurements.
3. Calibration and Maintenance
3.1 Quality Assurance is responsible for calibrating and maintaining the measuring and test equipment. All active equipment is entered on a controlled list, indicating the calibration status and the locations where the equipment is placed.
3.2 Measuring equipment is calibrated according to Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs), unless calibration is simple and obvious. In-house and outside calibration services may be employed as long as calibration instruments and standards have a known relationship to NIST.
3.3 Calibration is recorded in a calibration certificate and the calibrated equipment is labeled with a calibration sticker.
3.4 All calibration-related activities are regulated by General Process Specification G9015, Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment.
4. Test Software
4.1 In-house developed test software is validated before it is used for verification of products. Purchased software is also certified. Software is re-validated or re-certified whenever there is a change of conditions for which it was initially validated. See General Process Specification G9015, Section 4.0, Test Software.
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