A key part of managing laboratories or facilities equipped with specialist instrumentation is the careful maintenance and upkeep of all apparatus.
In many cases, the best and most effective approach to ensuring that everything runs as smoothly and precisely as possible is to arrange for regular on-site instrument calibration. This practice ensures consistent and accurate operation and performance across machinery.
However, before arranging for services of this kind, it is important to consider the question of is on-site calibration right for you and your business. In this article, the equipment maintenance specialists at GNW explore why on-site calibration may be beneficial – as well as the aspects that should be taken into account before arranging for such services.
Benefits of on-site calibration
On-site instrument calibration is highly beneficial for businesses operating in a range of industries, across numerous and various disciplines.
It offers swift and comprehensive testing services that are highly accurate. The speed with which on-site calibration can be undertaken provides a significant opportunity to reduce downtime, ensuring that your equipment can return to operation as soon as possible.
GNW’s services are extremely flexible too, which means that calibration can be arranged to fit perfectly into your business’s schedule.
Because testing and maintenance of this kind is undertaken on-site, the need for costly removal or replacement equipment is negated – as is any risk of damage to your instrumentation while it is being transported.
Perhaps the most vital benefit of on-site calibration is the accuracy and efficiency that results from its application. Machinery and instrumentation that have been calibrated in this way will be carefully tested and expertly maintained within its usual operational environment, which reduces the risk of external factors affecting precision.
Considerations for on-site calibration
Of course, before arranging for equipment calibration to take place at your business’s site or premises, it’s important to make sure it is an appropriate option for your needs. Below, we’ll explore some of the things you’ll need to consider:
Suitability of equipment
GNW offers calibration services for a wide range of specialist instrumentation, including weighing equipment like scales and load cells, as well as temperature, pressure and measuring equipment along with micrometres, verniers and other electrical instrumentation.
If your equipment does not fall into any of these categories, we highly recommend that you get in touch with the team at GNW Instrumentation to check whether on-site calibration may still be possible, as, in many cases, our services can be extremely flexible.
Preparation needs
Before calibration can take place, your premises and equipment must be carefully prepared.
This means taking a detailed inventory of the instrumentation that requires testing and maintenance, as well as indicating any equipment that is currently damaged or unusable.
You also need to be able to provide sufficient space in which the visiting calibration specialists may work. This means clearing an area at your site or premises before any calibration operations can be undertaken.
Finally, it is vital that service providers are able to access the area in which the relevant equipment is held. This may mean arranging for security clearance and ensuring they are able to gain entry at the time required.
If any of the above is likely to be difficult for you to achieve, it may mean that on-site calibration is less suitable for your business. However, don’t hesitate to check with GNW’s team to see what may be possible.
Environmental factors
If your organisation uses specialist equipment that requires regular testing and maintenance, it’s worth considering whether your premises may be affected by environmental factors that may pose challenges to the calibration process.
From dust to vapour and other pollution to temperature, vibration and issues relating to proximity to other machinery and equipment, problems relating to your equipment’s surroundings can make it very difficult to achieve full calibration accuracy.
Choosing the right calibration service provider
Proper, regular calibration is absolutely vital to your equipment’s accurate operation. For this reason, it’s extremely important to select a service provider that is experienced, qualified and has a track record of working successfully with instrumentation like yours.
You should also check any company’s industry accreditations to ensure they are fully compliant and follow up-to-date practices.
GNW Instrumentation launched way back in 2012, meaning its team of experts can look back over more than 20 years in operation.
Every year, GNW is audited by the European Certification Group, and is currently accredited for ISO 9001:2015, which is a standard for quality management recognised the world over.
We are certified by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), and are also SafeContractor approved, which reflects our careful adherence to current health and safety standards.
Finally, we are a member of Avetta’s supply chain network. Avetta undertakes supply chain risk management to ensure that no member is operating in a manner that is unsafe or unsustainable.
To discuss your on-site calibration requirements with a specialist at GNW today, simply contact us at your earliest convenience. We’ll be very happy to assist you.