Author Topic: Setting up a Metrology lab  (Read 6710 times)

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Offline opa627bmTopic starter

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #25 on: October 06, 2022, 08:37:49 am »
You got that instrument fast. Looks nice.
What else did you get?
More pictures please.

Hi Sir,
we only have this unit for now.
I will keep you posted.
Regards,
Li
 

Offline RYcal

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #26 on: October 06, 2022, 08:16:32 pm »
Nice one, Did you go the MET/CAL route as well?
 

Offline opa627bmTopic starter

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #27 on: October 07, 2022, 12:34:12 am »
Nice one, Did you go the MET/CAL route as well?
Yes, we are running some scripts for 34470A right now.
I noticed it doesn;t like the USB hub (I only have 1 usb ports on my laptop) so from time to time I am getting VISA error.
also if the laptop goes to sleep, seem metcal loses connection to all GPIB resources (the calibrator) so I have to reset everything.

 

Offline laichh

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #28 on: October 07, 2022, 02:26:29 am »
With proper accessories & procedures, you can calibrate your own 34470A with this 5730A except for capacitance function.
 
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Offline Arhigos

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #29 on: October 07, 2022, 05:29:47 am »
If you calibrate just only one or two different models you probably don't really need met/cal. You can create your own standalone program/procedure and save a lot of money on met/cal license. You can even use excel or labview for that purpose :)


Also if you don't need traceable certification you can save some money by using some cheaper equipment, maybe 5522 +8588 for characterization for example.
 
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Offline Arhigos

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #30 on: October 07, 2022, 05:51:34 am »
also, there is company called Domini Technologies. They create custom standalone calibration procedures.

 https://dominitechnologies.com/customizable-procedures/
 
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Offline mendip_discovery

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #31 on: October 07, 2022, 07:47:08 am »
Nice one, Did you go the MET/CAL route as well?
Yes, we are running some scripts for 34470A right now.
I noticed it doesn;t like the USB hub (I only have 1 usb ports on my laptop) so from time to time I am getting VISA error.
also if the laptop goes to sleep, seem metcal loses connection to all GPIB resources (the calibrator) so I have to reset everything.

Get a dedicated PC for the job, it will make things easier in the long run. Use a VNC program if you like to connect to it.

I would spend a bit of time messing around with the leads so that you can avoid external influences on them. Do a 10 or 100 MΩ test and grab the leads with your hand, does it affect the readings? Do some tests at the DC mV end as well, as I found a twisted pair of PTFE wires worked much better than the Silicone ones we got with the calibrator (not Fluke). Record these findings and revisit them from time to time as its a great self-learning thing and if an auditor asks you can show them you have looked into various issues.

Also worth buying some fuses for the meters you are about to calibrate because you will blow one at some point as you get overconfident and forget to swap the leads from 3A to 10A. I know a true voltnut would never do such a thing but in reality, it happens easily enough.

As a side comment now that you have the stuff to do the calibration you can now put any meter that fails on a list to be recalibrated in 3 or 6 months to see if it has got an issue. Plus a list of meters that is a high risk from the business side of things, you know the final inspection one and give that a shorter frequency.

IIRC you were going to get a posh meter to go with the calibrator. Start thinking about how you will do regular checks between them to check the calibrator isn't drifting out of spec early.

Have fun. I know work isn't keen on that but try your best to not let them know it.
Motorcyclist, Nerd, and I work in a Calibration Lab :-)
--
So everyone is clear, Calibration = Taking Measurement against a known source, Verification = Checking Calibration against Specification, Adjustment = Adjusting the unit to be within specifications.
 
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Offline VeeCal

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #32 on: March 18, 2023, 09:14:15 pm »
Sorry for the LATE reply but was just cruising through here and seen your post.

One of the things we always try to stress to clients in the field when it comes to 3rd party calibration services try to obtain the data on the cal when done. This helps to eliminate a lot of the concerns from clients as to whether the unit actually went through a full cal or it was hot stamped.

As we have written a full cal procedure for this particular model you reference I thought I would include it here for you to see. All of our procedures have data like this and it is well received by clients.

All the best, Mike
 
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Offline alm

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #33 on: March 18, 2023, 09:47:24 pm »
As we have written a full cal procedure for this particular model you reference I thought I would include it here for you to see. All of our procedures have data like this and it is well received by clients.
I fully agree. Don't you have to keep this data anyhow for your own records, like in case a calibrator of yours fails its next calibration so you can look back which instruments need to be re-caled? It always seemed a bit strange to me that other cal labs charge for a copy of the data they already have.

I've seen dubious cal certificates with unsuitable equipment, like calibrating an electrometer with a calibrator that can barely get down to 10 nA in current or above 10 MOhm in resistance, but with data at least you can see which ranges they skipped and what their uncertainties looked like.

Offline VeeCal

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Re: Setting up a Metrology lab
« Reply #34 on: March 18, 2023, 10:32:15 pm »
Many of my cal labs do keep the data and they do provide access to the clients for historical reference.

Charging is simply a mark up service and nothing more. Now, if they have to hand record the data that is another story, but if the procedure is automated (like this one is) there isn't a lot of issues other than the cost of toner and paper.  :-DD :-DD

 


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