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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.

: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

DETERMINING RECALIBRATION INTERVAL


FOR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

UTVRĐIVANJE INTERVALA REKALIBRACIJE


LABORATORIJSKE OPREME

Amir Kubat1, Professional paper


Senad Pašalić1, SUMMARY
Alma Bečirović1, This paper describes the application of international standards,
Samir Lemeš2, recommendations and guides, as well as other input data, to determine the
interval of recalibration of laboratory equipment in the laboratory for
Murćo Obućina3
testing the product safety testing LIND in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1 An example of a pressure sensor on a 4-axis device for measuring the
LIND - Laboratory for geometry of furniture, a detailed analysis of the recalibration interval was
product safety testing performed, which had to be shortened from 5 to 3 years.
Zenica
2
University of Zenica Stručni rad
3
University of Sarajevo REZIME
Ovaj rad opisuje primjenu međunarodnih standarda, prepruka i vodiča,
Keywords: kao i drugih ulaznih podataka, za određivanje intervala rekalibracije
calibration, recalibration laboratorijske opreme u laboratoriji za ispitivanje sigurnosti proizvoda
interval, metrology LIND u Zenici, Bosna i Hercegovina.
Na primjeru jednog senzora pritiska na 4-osnom uređaju za mjerenje
Ključne riječi: koordinata geometrije namještaja, izvršena je detaljna analiza intervala
kalibracija, interval rekalibracije, koji je morao biti skraćen sa 5 na 3 godine.
rekalibracije, metrologija

Paper received:
17.10.2018.
Paper accepted:
20.12.2018.

1. INTRODUCTION calibration intervals of atomic clocks: one based


A number of authors investigated this topic for on a stochastic model, the others pertained to the
different measuring equipment, from torque class of the reactive methods, determining the
meters to atomic clocks. optimal interval based on the last calibration
Vasilevskyi in [1] presented a method for outcomes.
determining the recalibration interval of Wang et al. in [4] proposed an approach for
measurement tools, based on the measurement evaluating the optimal calibration interval of
uncertainty analysis of experimental data with automatic test equipment on the basis of the
the metrological certification. He used the results metrology chain. The calibration interval of a
of testing procedures to determine the single instrument is determined by a grey
recalibration interval for equipment measuring prediction model, using out of tolerance-
motor torque. calibration matrix to calculate the metrology
Natalinova et al. in [2] presented the calibration contribution rate, according to the multi-signal
interval calculation of the potentiometer flow model.
according to the verifications for the 4 year The process of determining calibration intervals
period in the aviation plant. The calibration is a complex mathematical and statistical process
interval increased according to the calculation of requiring accurate and sufficient data taken
its reliability and stability of metrological during the calibration process. There appears to
characteristics. be no universally applicable single best practice
Nunzi et al. in [3] compared three different for establishing and adjusting the calibration
methods for the establishment of optimal intervals. This has created a need for better

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

understanding of the calibration interval The project MENTOR 2, expanded the testing
determination. As no single method is ideally area to the building construction elements
suited for the whole range of measuring (doors, windows and facade elements). Figure 1
instruments, some of the simpler methods of shows the interior of the laboratory.
assigning and reviewing the calibration interval
and their suitability for different types of
instruments are covered in OIML Guide [5] and
in NCSL Recommended Practice [6].
The NCSL Recommended Practice RP-1 [6]
provides a guide for the establishment and
adjustment of calibration intervals for equipment
subject to periodic calibration. It provides
information needed to design, implement and
manage calibration interval determination,
adjustment and evaluation programs.
Bare in [7] simplifed the methods from [6] for
laboratories with limited calibration histories.
His algorithm uses a calibration laboratory
management database with historical fields for Figure 1. Laboratory for furniture testing [9]
"out of tolerance" or "in tolerance" conditions
along with the degree of any out of tolerance 2.1. Equipment maintenance
condition. A drawback to this is that in most The laboratory management and staff in LIND
cases data entry is required to indicate the degree keeps control of the equipment conditions within
of out of tolerance. This can be done by either their responsibilities. In order to maintain the
entering the calibration results as a whole into proper conditions of the laboratory equipment, a
the database or through the entry of specific out maintenance plan and a calibration plan for each
of tolerance conditions into the database [7]. year is prepared according to adopted forms, in
Zhenlin et al. in [8] performed the dynamic accordance with the manufacturer's instructions,
optimization of measuring instrument OIML D10 Guidelines for the determination of
calibration interval, predicting the history calibration intervals of measuring instruments,
calibration data by modelling. They used the examples of recommended calibration intervals
improved moving average method to predict the given by BATA (Accreditation Institute of
development trend of parameters, BP neural Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Appendix A of
network to compensate the predicted residual the standard BAS EN ISO 10012-1:2004 [10].
sequence, and gave the improved MA-BP These plans are developed in accordance with
prediction model to optimize the calibration the procedures of Equipment Maintenance and
interval dynamically. Equipment Calibration. Testing machines and
equipment are handled by trained and authorized
2. ABOUT THE LABORATORY FOR laboratory staff. Each test device and equipment,
PRODUCT SAFETY TESTING is accompanied with a brief instruction manual.
"LIND" ZENICA
The Laboratory LIND was created as a result of 2.1. Equipment documentation
the project MENTOR financed from the For all machines, equipment, and, if necessary,
European Union Development Funds for Bosnia parts of this equipment, the basic data is recorded
and Herzegovina. The project implementation in the official form. Records of overhauls and
was co-funded by the City of Zenica, Ministry of repairs of machines and equipment are recorded
Economy of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Regional in the form "Plan and Equipment Maintenance
Development Agency REZ, and the Federal Record" and are kept with the appropriate device
Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and record. Records of the resulting failures of
Crafts. calibration equipment are recorded on the form
Initially, the laboratory performed only furniture "Record of incurred defects in machinery and
testing [9], and through the time, it has grown equipment".
into the Laboratory for Product Safety Testing, For every piece of equipment, a traceability chart
including the testing of children's playgrounds. is provided in the appropriate form, which shows
the calibration traceability of this device to the

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

national or international standards. Traceability Each test device has a label with the latest
charts are kept with the appropriate lists. For all calibration dates and the certificate number.
devices that are calibrated, a record of the Equipment checks between two regular
calibration history is recorded in the form "Plan calibrations are performed in the framework of
and Record of Equipment Calibration". additional quality assurance as defined by the
Completed and updated form of the calibration procedure of Quality Assurance of Testing and
history of the machine/equipment/standard is Calibration Results.
part of the official documentation and serves as The test machines in the laboratory which are
the documented definition of the recalibration operated by software have computer programs
period. LAB CONTROL and BERT PRO installed,
Calibration certificates for test machines and which are used to perform the tests. No other
equipment are stored in the registry "Calibration software is allowed to be installed on these
Certificates of Machines and Equipment". computers. Access to computers and equipment
Laboratory personnel is responsible for the is granted only to LIND staff.
correctness and condition of testing machines
and equipment in the laboratory. If equipment or 3. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
part of the equipment is damaged during the use, Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager of
the personnel shall comply with the Maintenance LIND are in charge to make a maintenance plan
procedure for machinery and equipment. and equipment maintenance record at the end of
Any piece of equipment or device that has the current year for the next year in the form,
suffered an overload or is found to be defective, "Plan and Record of Equipment Maintenance",
is handled in accordance with the Maintenance approved by the CEO of the Agency to which
procedure for machinery and equipment, and Laboratory belongs.
marked with the label "OUT OF ORDER". Only periodic maintenance of the equipment or
its parts is planned, as stated in the technical
2.2. Equipment calibration documentation provided by the laboratory
For each testing machine and equipment, there equipment manufacturer.
are appropriate Plan and records on performed Table 1 shows an example of the form "Plan and
calibrations, in which the following elements are Record of Equipment Maintenance", in which
recorded, monitored, checked and analysed: the updating, planning, recording and checking
- Equipment name, inventory number, the accuracy of test equipment with calibrated
manufacturer; control devices is performed once every six
- Measurement range; months. This form records the performed tasks
- Calibration range; within the planned and unplanned maintenance
- Measurement uncertainty; of the equipment.
- Date of valid calibration; If there is a deviation from the plan and record
- Recommended calibration period from the of equipment maintenance (e.g. due to objective
device manufacturer for 100% utilization; reasons of an approved internal/external
- Equipment utilization (%); supplier, due to write-off of equipment or parts
- Valid period of regular calibration (years); of equipment, procurement of new equipment or
- Date of extraordinary calibration; part of equipment, ...), the Laboratory Manager
- Description of realized jobs; makes a revised plan and record of equipment
- Date of planned calibration; maintenance in the same way as the plan and
- Person who performed the calibration / ID record of equipment maintenance at the end of
code of the report / certificate; the current year for the next year.
- Responsible person.
Table 1. Headers of the form "Plan and Record of Equipment Maintenance"
Maintenance
interval Final term
Name of Description recommended for Internal Date of
equipment of tasks to be by the performing checking performing Responsible
No. or its part done manufacturer the task device the task Performer person

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

During the managerial review, the status of the laboratories (simpler procedure than inter-
test equipment is analysed based on the reports laboratory comparison);
prepared according to the "Plan and Record of - repeat testing using the same or different
Equipment Maintenance", which has the effect methods;
of improving the quality management system in - re-examining the same / similar objects;
the Laboratory. - conducting internal staff training for those
methods that were not carried out for a
3.1. Maintenance preparation certain period of time in the laboratory;
Internal maintenance activities of the equipment - regular check of the edition of the standard;
are entrusted to LIND personnel in accordance - correlation of test results for different
with the procedure for reviewing the contract characteristics of the tested sample / subject
and the instructions for the functioning of the of the test.
protocol. These activities are carried out in - by repeating the test using the same or
accordance with the adopted maintenance different methods for methods where this is
schedule. In the case of requests for maintenance possible according to the standard in the
of the equipment or its servicing, where external framework of internal training of LIND
suppliers and executors are needed, the LIND staff.
Manager submits the procurement request of the In order to carry out the examinations for
given service to the General Affairs Division. internal training, identical steps are undertaken
as for regular commercial tests, with additional
3.2. Irregular maintenance analysis of the test results in accordance with the
In all cases of sudden failure in the equipment, defined criteria for the admissibility of test
equipment operators also make records in the results. Testing will be repeated where possible,
form "Record of Equipment Faults", and then according to standards, where the standard
inform the manager or technical manager of the deviation of these measurements and the
LIND about the resulting fault, and they verify it comparison of the obtained test results according
in the appropriate form cell. to the parameters are given in the test standards.
If the laboratory equipment failure occurs during In order to carry out the internal training, it is
the warranty period, the CEO of the Agency obligatory to conduct repetition of tests for those
shall be notified, who then contacts the methods for which measurement uncertainty is
authorized service by means of the General required with the calculated uncertainty budget.
Affairs Division. After the repair, the service is In case a LIND supervisory staff's suspects the
obliged to issue a certificate of the equipment. results of the investigation, a re-examination on
For the repair of equipment with the warranty the same subject shall be carried out, if possible.
period expired, approved suppliers or LIND In this case, the presence of the LIND Manager
services may be engaged, if any. is required during the entire test process.
The minutes about the performed repairs and
servicing of the equipment, are compiled and
signed by the representative of the supplier
(repair / servicing equipment technician) and the
(technical) manager of LIND.

3.3. Additional quality assurance of test


results
Additional quality assurance of test results is
possible in several ways: Figure 2. Laboratory equipment
- additional equipment checking through
regular maintenance every six months, as All the above-mentioned internal quality
well as a device reliability check through an assurance measures for testing results in the
analysis of the period of regular equipment LIND laboratory (except PT/ILC schemes
calibration; implemented separately), are planned and
- internal quality control service; monitored in the form "Plan and record of
- inter-laboratory comparison; internal quality assurance / result quality
- participation in laboratory testing programs control". The planning and recording of internal
by comparing test results of related quality assurance / quality control measures is

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

reviewed on a regular (and, as appropriate, follow the guidelines defined in the documents:
extraordinary) review by the management. If it is OIML D10 Guidelines [5], BATA recommend-
determined after the analysis that the data are out ation as a mandatory document, recommen-
of the defined criteria, corrective or preventive dations of the manufacturer of equipment and
measures are being taken. some examples of recommended calibration
intervals, as well as in the Appendix A of the
4. EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION standard BAS EN ISO 10012:2004.
4.1. Creating a Plan and Equipment The analysis and updating of the form "Plan and
Calibration Records record of equipment calibration" is performed as
LIND holds lists of equipment that are calibrated compulsory every six months on a regular basis,
externally. These lists are attached to the as well as in the cases of increased number of
appropriate specific procedures. The technical furniture tests.
director of LIND, at the end of the current year, Following the analysis of all elements, a report
is planning a calibration plan for equipment for on the status of the test equipment in the
the next year in the form "Plan and Record of laboratory is made. During the managerial
Equipment Calibration", for both internally or review within the framework of the analysis item
externally calibrated equipment. The plan is eleven, which refers to resources, i.e. equipment,
approved by the Agency CEO. the use of equipment is analysed in order to
If there is a deviation from the plan and define or revise the calibration terms of the
equipment calibration records (due to the write- equipment based on the analysis and the reports
off of the equipment or part of the equipment, i.e. made according to the "Plan and records of
the purchase of new equipment or part of the equipment calibration".
equipment, or due to the inability of an external The Laboratory also envisages the extraordinary
approved supplier to perform the calibration in / unplanned calibration of equipment, which is
the planned term, or uninsured financial assets carried out in the following cases:
by the management of LIND or the Agency,...) - when the results of the test are suspected
the LIND Manager makes a revised plan and because they deviate more than usual, and in
records the equipment calibration. case when they are not caused by the
characteristics of the test subject or the work
4.2. Planned Calibration of the examiner,
Planning and recording equipment calibration in - when there are defects in equipment or parts
the Laboratory are conducted in the form "Plan of equipment that are otherwise calibrated,
and Record of Equipment Calibration". The - changes in the performance of the test
form defines elements that are monitored, equipment as a result of its servicing,
analysed and periodically checked to precisely - purchase of new equipment and its first
define the calibration period with each calibration,
individual equipment and parts of the LIND - large deviations in test results due to the
equipment, which are: intensive use of some equipment and
- Equipment name, inventory number, machines.
manufacturer; The frequency of use of equipment and machines
- Measurement area; (Table 2) is monitored and recorded at each
- Calibration area; individual test through the records of equipment
- Measurement uncertainty; used in the work order for testing, as well as in
- Date of valid calibration; the form "Plan and records of equipment
- Recommended calibration period from the maintenance".
device manufacturer for 100% utilization; Calibration of equipment that is performed as the
- Equipment utilization (%); preparation of test equipment, before each
- Planned period of regular calibration; individual or pre-series test, is not subject to this
- Date of extraordinary calibration; procedure.
- Description of tasks; These calibrations are performed according to
- Calibration executor / Identification code of the instructions for handling the equipment and/
the report / certificate; or the instructions for carrying out the test
- Responsible person. according to the testing standard in order to
When planning the period of regular calibration ensure the quality of the test results.
and maintenance of equipment, one must always

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Table 2. Times of equipment use


Date of
Equipment name Total time
valid PI/ PI/ PI/ PI/
No. ID ... ... used
calib- 14/13 01/14 08/13 18/13
Manufacturer (hours)
ration
Pressure force sensor,
on 4-axis machine -
pneum. cyl. - side; Step
length: L=500 mm, 17.07. 87 h
1. 5 min. 5 min. 0 min. 0 min. ... ...
Diameter: D=63 mm; 2013. 50 min.
Serial no.: 41011207
ID no.: 119
Hegewald & Peschke

5. DETERMINING RECALIBRATION (Example - Table 3), according to the guidelines


INTERVAL and recommendations, one must take into
The recalibration period (planned calibration) is account the following factors:
defined for the equipment to be calibrated, and if a) Recommendation of the manufacturers of
the equipment is part of the legal metrology, the measuring and testing equipment;
defined recalibration period (indicated in the b) Expected frequency and conditions of use;
valid calibration certificate) is taken into c) Environmental impact;
consideration. Based on the recalibration period, d) Required measurement uncertainty;
the date of the planned calibration is determined e) Settings of the individual instruments, or
and entered in the form "Plan and Record of changes that occur in them;
Equipment Calibration" for each year. f) Summary or published data about the same
When planning and determining the period of or similar devices.
calibration and maintenance of equipment

Table 3. The calibration period calculated by the utilization of the equipment


Manufacturer's
Local laboratory parameters
recommendations
Date
Maintenance period

Maintenance period
Calibration interval

Calibration interval
for 100% capacity

for 100% capacity

Total usage time


Working temp.

of Calib-
Rel. humidity

Rel. humidity

Usage ratio a)

Equip-
hif *
per shift*

No. valid ration


ment ID
(°C)

(%)

(%)

(%)

calib- interval
(h)

ration

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
from
Pressure from
1 year min.
sensor min.
* for 265 15,7
ID no. 48,8 6
17.07. 10 - 10- 1 working °C 87,83
1. 119 % to mont 4,14 24,15
2013. 30 °C 85% year days per to
Hegewald max. hs
year i.e. max.
& 51,5
2120 h 23,8
Peschke %
°C

In addition to the above-mentioned factors for interval (NCSL Recommended Practice RP-1) is
determining the equipment calibration interval in taken into account, simplified and calculated.
LIND, a simplified analysis of the calibration

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

The last calibration has the greatest contribution/ - equipment calibration interval defined by
influence. another laboratory of the same activity that
owns the same type of equipment from the
(IK)n = (IK)s x (W1 x X + W2 x Y + W3 x Z) same supplier - LIN Zagreb - (IK) LIN;
- defined - old interval of calibration of LIND
Where: equipment - (IK) s;
(IK)n = new calculated calibration interval; - the calibration interval of LIND equipment
(IK)s = the old calibration interval; determined according to the NCSL RP-1
W1 = impact factor of the last calibration; method - (IK) n;
W2 = impact factor of the second calibration; - calculated average interval of calibration of
W3 = impact factor of previous calibration; LIND equipment - (IK) avg;
X = multiplier related to the result of the last - adopted new interval of calibration of LIND
calibration; equipment - (IK) new.
Y = multiplier referring to the result of the (IK)n for conditions in LIND is calculated as
second calibration; follows:
Z = multiplier referring to the result of the
previous calibration; (IK) s x (W1 x X)

The final, adopted new calibration interval for all where: W1 = 0.8; X = 1
LIND equipment is determined taking into
account the following: The new adopted equipment calibration interval
- date of valid calibration of LIND equipment; in LIND is calculated as follows:
- the equipment calibration interval recom-
mended by equipment manufacturer - (IK) (IK)avg=[(IK)man+(IK)LIN+(IK)s+(IK)n]/4
man;
- calculated calibration interval for the use of Based on calculated (IK)avg, a new calibration
LIND equipment - (IK) LIND; interval is adopted: (IK)new (Table 4).

Table 4. The new adopted calibration interval


Recom-
mended
calibration Calcu-
Old
interval by lated Calibr. Calcu-
calibr. Calibr. Adopted
Date manufacturer calibr. interval lated
interval interval new
of for 100% interval defined by average
Equip- of LIND by NCSL calibr.
No. valid utilisation in by equip- similar calibr.
ment ID equip- RP-1 interval
calib- one shift* ment laboratory interval
ment (year) (year)
ration 1 year (265 utili- (year) (year)
(year) (IK)n (IK)new
working days sation (IK)LIN (IK)avg
(IK)s
per year i.e. (%)
2120 h)
(IK)man.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Pressure
sensor
17.07.
1. ID no. 119 1 24,15 5 5 4 3,75 3
2013.
Hegewald
& Peschke

On the basis of a detailed analysis of all the Plan and Records of equipment calibration will
above factors for determining the calibration be updated accordingly in the future in LIND
interval for LIND equipment, defined equipment laboratory.
calibration intervals, records and data (values) The new form will contain the following data:
data in the free table form will be defined. The - Measurement range

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Mašinstvo 4(15), 199 – 206, (2018) A. Kubat et al.: DETERMINING RECALIBRATION…

- Calibration range [4] Wang, J., Zhang, Q., & Jiang, W. (2017).
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recommended by the manufacturer for 100% 2017.01.062
equipment utilization (%) [5] ILAC (2007) Guidelines for the determi-
- Valid interval of regular calibration nation of calibration intervals of measuring
- The date of irregular calibration instruments, ILAC-G24:2007 / OIML D
- Description of tasks realized 10:2007 (E).
- Date of planned calibration
- Person who performed the calibration / ID [6] NCSL (2010) Establishing and Adjustment
code of the report / certificate of Calibration Intervals. Recommended
- Responsible person Practice RP-1.
[7] Bare A (2006) Simplified Calibration
6. CONCLUSION Interval Analysis. NCSL International
Taking into account a number of influences and Workshop and Symposium. https://www.
parameters, a new recalibration interval for one isobudgets.com/pdf/calibration-interval-
piece of laboratory equipment was determined. analysis/simplified-calibration-interval-
The calibration interval was reduced from 5 to 3 analysis.pdf (16.12.2018)
years, according to the influence factors, such as [8] Zhenlin C, Fang Z, Xiao Z (2014).
utilisation rate, experiences from similar Combined Forecast of Calibration Interval
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7. REFERENCES international conference "Functioning and
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