Liz Connelly, Author at Global Trade Magazine

As technology is advancing, and the world is becoming more automated, a lot of our work is being done by machines and equipment. From everyday items, like toys, to more complex products, such as cars and medical equipment, all kinds of stuff are manufactured using machines.

While machines and automated equipment have made the manufacturing process way easier, it has a few distinctive problems as well. One of them is the accuracy and efficiency of the machines. If the tools used to manufacture stuff are not precise enough to follow the set data, the resultant batch of products has the danger of being inconsistent, inaccurate, and inefficient.

This poses a serious threat to some industries, as in the case of medical equipment. The tools must be accurate all the time. To solve this issue, calibration management comes into play. Keep reading to know what it is and why you should incorporate it into your manufacturing process.

What Is Calibration?

For most of the products we rely on every day, the need for accuracy is extremely high. Take the example of cars. Even if one centimeter is off from the mathematical measurements, the outcome could be an increase in the number of accidents and deaths. It would be disastrous. This means the manufacturing equipment has to be accurate to the very last detail.

The process of ensuring that the manufacturing equipment is as accurate and efficient as the industry-standard reference equipment is called calibration. In this process, a device under test (DUT) of unknown value is checked against a standard device of known value to see if the DUT follows the industry standard or not.

The manual calibration of devices is the most basic way of doing it. The expert needs to put both the devices side-by-side and test them working at the same time. For example, to test a thermometer, the expert observes while both thermometers measure the temperature of boiling water.

However, the latest and better way to perform calibration is to use calibration management tools, like software that automatically schedules the calibration and performs it while you only have to supervise. Calibration management tools give you the most accurate results in no time. These tools can save businesses a lot of effort and time, and save more money in the long term.

The Importance of Calibration Management In Manufacturing

Would you want an inaccurate machine to perform surgery on you or build your car so it can tumble on the road? No one would want that. Non-precise manufacturing can not only tarnish the reputation of a company but also endanger several lives.

There are several reasons why manufacturers of all kinds, from low threat products to high-priority equipment, need to have a calibration management system in place as soon as possible.

Give Significance to Our Daily Lives

Taking medication, going out of your car, working on a computer, and performing almost every routine task have been made possible through the calibration of manufacturing equipment to churn out products accurately.

We are moving into a future that is even more dependent on technology. Consider the launch of self-driving cars. The first of their kind have already been made, and they are all set to take over in the future. Self-driving cars are a high-risk product, and they need to be manufactured with precision, detail, and accuracy. One wrong point can threaten lives.

Several more products are becoming automated and incorporating more technology into the process. With these advancements, the significance of calibration management will only rise further.

Increases Profits and Revenue

Calibration helps businesses manufacture high-quality products with consistency. This helps build a reliable name for the brand in the eyes of the public. As your business becomes more reliable and trusted for high-quality products, the revenue and profits for the business would increase as well.

Reduces Costs and Saves Money

Calibration management for the product ensures that they are up to the industry standard mark. If there are errors and inaccuracies in the manufacturing process, it could cost the business a lot of money. Let’s say you get reports of inaccuracies in one of your products that have already been launched without calibration management. In this case, you will have to recall all the products that were released in the same batch.

Taking the products off the market, paying for repairing costs, and having to destroy products that can’t be repaired can cost a huge amount of money to the business. All of this hassle can be saved by putting an efficient calibration management system in place that ensures that the products are being manufactured by precise equipment without fault.

Ensures Safety from Use of Products

There are joints and critical points in high-risk products, like cars, aircraft, and medical equipment, that need to be made with precise perfection. These products need to be made with accuracy so the process that has to be performed with the resultant product can be done accurately as well.

Lithium-ion batteries, PPE equipment to keep workers safe, and phones are some examples of hypersensitive products that need to be manufactured with accuracy and minimal error for the safety of the people using them.

If medical equipment goes wrong in treating the patient because it wasn’t manufactured properly, it can cost lives.

Increased Product Efficiency

Calibration of manufacturing equipment ensures that any errors in the tools are found and taken care of before a product is manufactured with it. As errors are reduced beforehand, the products produced after are highly accurate and require minimal to no repairs.

Accurate manufacturing equipment streamlines the process of producing products, so more output can be given in a shorter time with higher quality. This increases the efficiency of the overall manufacturing process.

How Often Should Equipment Be Calibrated?

The number of times or intervals that a product needs to be calibrated will depend on each piece of equipment. In most cases, the manufacturer of the equipment will give you information about how many times the tools will need to go through the calibration process. But if that does not happen, as a general rule of thumb, calibration management will vary with how critical the equipment produced the product.

For high-risk manufacturing, it will be best to calibrate the equipment right before the start of the production process. If your business deals with critical products, such as medical equipment, you can go for a monthly or quarterly calibration management system. For products that are not high-risk, doing calibration once or twice a year will be just enough.

If you are confused about when to calibrate still, you can contact the manufacturer of the equipment to get more information about the intervals.

Conclusion

Not setting up a system for proper calibration management is very risky. It can cost your business money, lead to injuries, endanger lives, and reduce the efficiency of the company. Worry not, for most of the calibration processes can be automated without hassle. Calibration management tools make it easy for you to measure your equipment against industry standards and remove any errors.

The bottom line is that calibration makes the processes, products, and the world more efficient and reduces errors. It plays a central role in the shiny new products consumers buy, and so calibration must be a part of the manufacturing process.

About the author

Liz Connelly is a freelance writer who focuses on technological advancements and modern manufacturing. Liz is currently writing for Gagelist.

Recent research by the employment advisory service ACAS shows that almost 3.5 million people prefer night work shifts. It is evident that working at night has its advantages for employees, especially having their daytime open for other activities. Night shifts also come with a fair share of downsides. In this article, we will look at the pending safety hazards faced by night shift workers. We will also discuss the various ways employers can guarantee safety for their employees at night.

Working at night comes with an endless list of safety hazards. Every night shift employee is scared of getting attacked during these wee hours. Working at night means dealing with secluded areas and dark corridors that put employees at risk of getting assaulted or robbed.

As a good employer, consider technology advancement for your business. Not only does technology offer security solutions, but it also makes the management of employees easier. Installing a check-in system on the business premises can provide a reliable safety confirmation tool. A good check-in system will send alerts to supervisors whenever an employee fails to do a scheduled check-in or check-out. This allows accountability of the employees’ whereabouts, facilitating safety.

Every employer needs to ensure there is a reliable, verified security system in the work premises. A sound security system has a fire detector, audio intrusion detector, and 24/7 CCTV coverage. When installing a CCTV set, choose the best night vision camera. This will facilitate effective monitoring of dark areas in the business premises. Most security firms will ensure they install a silent panic button strategically positioned to trigger and alert police.

It is also advisable to train employees on matters of security and safety during night shifts. There should be a minimum training requirement for every night shift staff. Employees should be aware of all dos and don’ts in case of an emergency. A reward system can be created to appreciate the employees that report security threats and work within the safety guidelines.

Theft of goods, especially in warehouses, is mainly experienced during night shifts. Although employees can collaborate in such criminal activities, robbers from outside can take advantage of the night setting to steal goods. It is therefore essential to invest in automatic container seals that send alerts when tampered with. Whenever you consider technology advancement for your business, you protect both the goods and the employees. Thieves tend to target premises without proper security systems. Some goods in warehouses can get spoilt due to high light exposure, so it is vital to ensure you choose a good quality night vision camera for surveillance purposes.

Employers should embrace groups when planning the workforce. Isolated workers are at high risk of getting attacked. If an employee must work alone, a twenty-minute communication cycle should be observed. That way, the superiors can detect when something is amiss and get the employee helped in time.

Also, supervisors must ensure they plan shifts properly to ensure the employees are not leaving workers in strange hours. Car park areas should also be well lit. If possible, driving at night should be avoided. The employer may consider providing a consolidated transportation option to drop home all employees who use public transport or are too tired to drive.

In conclusion, all business owners should ensure they prioritize employee safety. Employees must also take an active role in ensuring they are safe by following the organization’s security protocols. Following the above measures will ensure security for employees working at night, allowing them to focus on being productive instead of worrying about their safety.

The Importance of Calibration Management in the Manufacturing Industry