When lab equipment is used for a long time, and constantly, it becomes prone to wear and tear. It leads to deviation or drifting of the equipment’s true measuring value leading to errors and subsequent loss of product quality. To provide maximum efficiency, we use the latest technology of comparing the calibrated standard and the unit under test. At Biotechnical Services, Inc., we provide the leading lab equipment calibration in San Diego. We have been offering exemplary instrument calibration services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and the surrounding areas with distinction.

What is Instrument Calibration?

Calibration entails the process of comparing a known instrument measurement and the end-user instrument. The comparison indicates the accuracy of the equipment, its precision, and the deviation. The main objective of instrument calibration is to determine measurement traceability and accuracy. When an instrument is out of calibration, the measurement deviation is repaired, and a report indicates the instrument’s error and the precision achieved after the calibration.

Why is Instrument Calibration Important?

The working environment and the use of the instrument cause gradual degradation. The drifting in the measuring value is often caused by hazards in the manufacturing companies such as metal chips and oils, mechanical and electric shocks, and the normal wearing of an instrument when used over a long time. Instrument calibration restores the device’s precision and accuracy. Calibration improves the quality of a product to be measured. It also eliminates the costs of losses and fines while ensuring compliance with the measuring instruments.

When Should an Instrument be Calibrated?

An instrument should be calibrated:

  • Periodically, i.e., monthly, quarterly, or annually
  • When an electric or mechanical shock occurs
  • According to the specification of the instrument’s manufacturer

 

Processes to Follow for Improving the Efficiency of Instrument Calibration

Over the years, companies have been using traditional and manual processes in calibrating instruments. However, this technique is prone to errors and does not guarantee dependability and accuracy. The process also doesn’t factor in the safety and quality that satisfies the requirements of the regulatory bodies. To counter the problem, Biotechnical Services, Inc. introduced modern and highly automated calibration processes. Using modern calibrating software and techniques, the company became one of the leading equipment calibrations in San Diego and its environs.

The processes employed by Biotechnical Services, Inc. Services for measurement instrument calibration are:

Instrument Diagnosis

The importance of instrument diagnosis is to determine and separate instruments that require calibrations and those that do not. Since not all instruments need calibration, measurement devices vital to product quality and safety are the priority. After conducting the instrument diagnosis, experts can determine and approve devices that require periodic calibration and more the rest on an on-demand basis. Instruments that are not necessarily involved in the production are moved to an on-demand schedule to save time and reduce redundant costs. Instruments that must adhere to the various ISO standards and regulatory bodies must be calibrated regularly according to the laws governing such regulations.

Through predictive maintenance software, Biotechnical Services, Inc. can acquire field instrumentation data from the end-users. Monitoring and analyzing field instruments ensure quick calibration once a change in accuracy is noted. The monitoring program eliminates unnecessary instrument calibration per year where ensuring efficiency of on-demand calibration.

Calibration Parameter Analysis

The traditional calibration analysis entailed instrument calibration at specific and periodic intervals. The periods were extended to reduce the number of times the instruments were calibrated by reducing instrument calibration intervals. At the time of extending calibration intervals, instruments were noted to have been within the accuracy compliance of the policies and regulations of the governing bodies. Currently, the same procedure is done swiftly with the introduction of the computer-driven analysis. This method uses historical data of past calibration to identify instruments that require calibration often and those that do not. The historical data predicts the future periods of calibrating different instruments. The computer-driven analysis ensures that the instruments are calibrated on schedule while providing a specific extension of periods for instruments that do not require frequent calibration. The process also ensures close monitoring of the instruments to ensure optimum performance and avoid any compromise on the working and quality of the instruments.

Paperless Procedure

For decades, calibration has been a manual procedure. However, with the introduction of calibration software, the process has been made both automated and paperless.  The paperless calibration ensures that the process is streamlined. The software allows for the optimization of periodic calibration by using a database where data can be uploaded, downloaded, or synchronized between various users.  The experts can access the data stored in the database through various devices when signed in at any locality. The process is very swift since the users can download the data required to their devices. The paperless procedure has significantly reduced the calibration time and saved a lot of working capital. A lot of time was initially wasted when the staff was entering calibration data into the sheets. The software has allowed paperless analysis and scheduling.

Instrument Traceability

Instrument traceability is very vital. Each instrument needs to be compared to a nationally recognized standard. Traceability ensures accuracy in the calibration and monitoring of measuring equipment to achieve conformity to regulations and standards.

Software Based Management

Integrating the instruments into an automated software management system has improved calibration quality, time management, and efficiency.  The software-based management system has many advantages to both end-users, technical experts, and management staff. These are:

  • It allows for the automation of instrument calibration from the start to the end
  • Calibration data can be created, stored, and managed effectively
  • Software database can be shared with other stakeholders
  • It provides a paperless calibration system
  • Instrument calibration can be documented with easy electronically
  • Maintenance and management system can be integrated for smooth operations
  • It allows the attainment of regulatory compliance such as the ISO standards

 

Accuracy and Efficiency

The following processes should be put into place to achieve efficient and accurate calibration:

  • Installing automated calibrators with error calculation and documentation mechanisms
  • Using multifunctional calibrators instead of traditional individual calibrating devices
  • Having a software with a database management system that allows for seamless communication
  • Using reliable and efficient calibrators

 

Advantages of Using Calibration Software Based Management

Advantages of Using Calibration Software Based Management

Improved efficiency

An integrated system automates and simplifies all the processes of calibration. It is easy to use, fast and eliminates or reduces the chances of productions downtimes. The system streamlines the calibration process as opposed to the manual calibration techniques.

Saving on Operational Costs

Since the system is paperless and the data is stored in a database, paperwork is eliminated while saving time, hence saving on operation costs. With the introduction of multifunctional calibrating devices, the cost of calibration is reduced because there is no need for individual calibration equipment for each instrument.

Improvement on Quality

Errors resulting from paperwork and the documentation of data are eliminated. The integrated system solves the problem by creating, storing, and managing the data in the calibration database efficiently and safely. The calibration system helps a company perform performance standard control and achieve the required regulatory compliance easily.

Pilot Projects

On following the protocols, Biotechnical Services, Inc. noted positive improvements in the calibration processes. Instruments that showed little deviation in calibration were switched to annual calibration. Non-critical instruments that do not contribute directly to the production process were switched to on-demand calibration.

Results of Integrated Management System

  • The company has reduced the time per each calibration to about fifteen minutes saving many hours lost through manual calibrations
  • Tones of paperwork have been eliminated
  • Elimination of manual data entry and errors by using an automated system
  • Data migration to the computer-based system has reduced unnecessary scheduled calibration by studying the past historical data of instruments
  • Substantial elimination of calibration intervals through the extension of such intervals
  • Instruments that were moved to an on-demand basis have seen a decrease in annual costs of calibration

 

Conclusion

Maintenance of measuring devices through calibration is necessary for any company dealing with measuring instruments in production. Calibration improves the quality of products, saves on losses incurred through wrong measurements, and avoids hazardous effects on pharmaceutical products. Essentially, every industry needs to calibrate all its instruments for seamless productivity. Depending on the use of the instruments, calibration should be done either on-demand or on specific periods but must not be skipped. With proper calibration, the desired quality and efficiency will be achieved in every industry.

End-users should entrust their instrument calibration to the most reputable companies for the best and up-to-date calibration services. It is best to seek advice from the companies that have employed modern technology to get the best and accurate services with minimum costs.

Biotechnical Services, Inc. is a professional equipment calibration company located in San Diego, CA. We offer accurate and precise calibration services to our clients in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas as an ISO-certified company.  We also offer services to our clients in a remote location and provide them with equipment delivery services. Contact us today to enjoy the best equipment calibration services on a wide range of instruments.