Calibration is due, but the tool has not been used.

Well,
I can't thank you all enough for the responses I have so far. On a different note, I now remember why I joined this site. The support and advice are excellent.

We are going to begin using the sealing wax in-house next month for thread gauges. The gauges will be sealed and returned to service locations and will then be checked for seal damage when the next interval comes around. If the seal is damaged the calibration will be done on the gauge. If the seal integrity remains we will extend the calibration based on last calibration in our system and return the gauge to service. If the gauge comes up for calibration in two cycles and the seal still remains intact we will remove the gauge from service. We currently have 3,4,6 and 12 month intervals on these gauges due to use and wear based on locations.

Our ISO auditor only scratches the surface during an audit when doing the calibration section. With the case stated above set for implementation next month, is it necessary to revise our calibration interval section in our ISO 9001.

Phil Fields said:

Matt,
Generally what we have been doing in this instance is sending the gauge out for calibration and changing the frequency from 1 year to 2 years. If after two years the wax seal has not been removed, we will discard the gauge and remove it from our database.
Our business has changed quite a bit and it does not make sense to hold on to some of the gauges, we have found this method to work the best for us.

Phil

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We encountered this very same issue during our last AS9100 Audit. The determining factor was the due date on the certificate. It had nothing to do with use vs no use. The outcome agreed on was that we label the gages as inactive and place a "Calibrate Before Use" Sticker on all such gages. This way we still maintain it in our inventory but will not appear in the List of active gages that require calibration on a specific due date.

Steve Weber said:

We encountered this very same issue during our last AS9100 Audit. The determining factor was the due date on the certificate. It had nothing to do with use vs no use. The outcome agreed on was that we label the gages as inactive and place a "Calibrate Before Use" Sticker on all such gages. This way we still maintain it in our inventory but will not appear in the List of active gages that require calibration on a specific due date.

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You do know that you're in a 15 year old subject? You need to note the last dated post to keep current, odds are this one is done & dusted.

Matt M - 2009 said:

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to get some of your thoughts on this. I have thread plug gauges that have come due for calibration. The wax seal from the last calibration is still intact. Is it acceptable to re-date them or do they need to be re-calibrated. I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks
Matt

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Hi Matt,
If you don't use the gauge in future also, just remove the gauge from your master list and you can preserve the gauge. In future, if your want to use the same gauge, get it calibrated at that time and again update the same in your master list. Note: "Any instrument/gauge shall be checked and/or calibrated before use."

SREEDHARA HN said:

Hi Matt,
If you don't use the gauge in future also, just remove the gauge from your master list and you can preserve the gauge. In future, if your want to use the same gauge, get it calibrated at that time and again update the same in your master list. Note: "Any instrument/gauge shall be checked and/or calibrated before use."

Click to expand...

You are replying to the question asked almost 16 years back and the OP is not active anymore on this forum.

AMIT BALLAL said:

You are replying to the question asked almost 16 years back and the OP is not active anymore on this forum.

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Thanks Amit. I just saw the subject.