1.

PURPOSE This document provides instructions for controlling the verification, calibration, and maintenance of inspection, measuring, and test equipment to ensure proper functioning and continued accuracy.

2.0

SCOPE This document applies to all measuring equipment (mechanical, electrical and digital) used for verification of part and product acceptability. Employee owned equipment must conform to the requirements of this document.

3.0

RESPONSIBILITY Primary: Support: Quality Assurance Engineering Operations Purchasing

4.0

REFERENCES Documents (See Administrative Document Master List 05-ML-001 for latest revision.) 09-SP-003 10-SP-002 13-SP-001 11-RC-001 11-RC-002 11-RC-003 11-RC-004 11-RC-005 11-RC-06 Processes and Equipment Qualification Receiving Inspection Control of Nonconforming Product Equipment Location and Recall Database Calibration/Service Record Calibration Label Reference Only Label Calibration Recall Notice Out of Service Label

5.0

DEFINITIONS Accuracy The degree of conformity of a measurement to a standard or a true value. Calibration

A comparison of measuring equipment with a standard of higher accuracy to detect, correlate, adjust, rectify, and document the accuracy of the equipment being compared. Custodian The function or person responsible for overall control of an equipment item. Equipment As used in this procedure, Equipment means Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment. Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment All devices used to measure, gauge, test, inspect, or otherwise examine items to determine compliance with specifications that have been deemed critical to the control of a process. Equipment referred to in this document includes, but is not limited to, gages, test equipment, instruments, gage blocks, torque wrenches, micrometers, "go/no-go" gauges, depth gages, vernier calipers, dial indicators, jigs, fixtures, templates, software, and mylars. Inspection, measuring and test equipment includes all types of devices used by any supplier or subcontractor personnel to check materials, products, processes, or other inspection, measuring, and test equipment. This includes test hardware, test software, automated test equipment (ATE) and plotters used to produce inspection media. Personally owned equipment is not used for product acceptance. (D1-9000, Rev A.) Precision The degree of refinement with which a measurement is stated. It is used to measure the consistency or reproducibility of measurement. Reference Standard Standards of the highest order accuracy in a calibration system that establishes the basic accuracy values for that system. Transfer Standard Designated measuring equipment used in a calibration system as a medium for transferring the basic value of reference standards to lower echelon standards for measuring and test equipment. User The person who has operational control of equipment for the time that it is needed to perform a specific job. 6.0 REQUIREMENTS

6.1

Determining Measurement Requirements The QA Manager determines measurements needed, accuracy required, and the selection of appropriate equipment and methods.

6.2

Traceability to Standards All equipment, that is used to accept product to specified requirements, will be calibrated to a nationally or internationally recognized standard. The system provides for the prevention of inaccuracy by detection of deficiencies and timely implementation of corrective action.

6.3

Calibration Schedule Quality Assurance Department controls all Calibration. The QA Manager on the basis of stability, purpose, usage, time, and/or the manufacturers recommendation will create a Calibration Schedule. The schedule can be adjusted based on the calibration history of the item. If the equipment remains accurate during successive calibrations, the interval may be lengthened. If the equipment requires frequent adjustments or repairs, or is found to be nonconforming in successive calibrations, the interval will be shortened. If the equipment is used infrequently, it may be designated for calibration prior to use instead of establishing a set schedule for calibration.

6.4

Environmental Considerations Inspection, measuring, and test equipment as well as measuring standards will be calibrated and used in an environment controlled to the extent necessary to assure continued measurements of required accuracy considering temperature, humidity, vibration, cleanliness, and other factors affecting precision measurements. The calibration environment must be similar to the environment in which the equipment is being used or a compensating correction or equivalent technique will be identified justifying the difference in calibration conditions.

6.5

Outside Calibration A commercial standards laboratory is used for calibration and repair that cannot be accomplished in-house. Regardless of the location of the calibration, the facility must comply with a nationally or internationally recognized calibration laboratory standard and will be evaluated by Quality Assurance. Calibration certificates are required.

6.6

Work Instructions Internally created work instructions for in-house calibration where the equipment manufacturer has not supplied procedures will be the responsibility of the Engineering and/or Quality Assurance departments.

6.7

Handling, Preservation, and Storage The user and the custodian of the equipment must ensure that handling, preservation, and storage is accomplished in such a manner that the accuracy and fitness for use is maintained. They also safeguard the equipment from adjustments that would invalidate the calibration settings.

6.8

Unscheduled Calibration Calibration is accomplished earlier than schedule if there is any reason to suspect that the equipment needs recalibration (erratic readings, gauge is dropped, etc.). If the equipment is inaccurate, damaged, or tampered with, the user and/or the custodian is responsible for notifying the QA Manager that an unscheduled recalibration is necessary and the reason for it.

7.0 7.1

PROCEDURE Equipment Qualification Equipment used for inspection, measuring, and test must be qualified in accordance with the procedure for Qualification of Processes and Equipment. The QA Manager insures that all new, reworked, repaired, or modified equipment is calibrated before use in production or test.

7.2

Calibration Records The QA Manager maintains records of the custodian, status, and history of all equipment used for the inspection or verification of product. A number is assigned to each equipment item for control purposes and is marked on the item. The Calibration/Service Record (11-RC-002) will contain the date, as-received condition, and result of all calibrations. A list of inspection, measuring and test equipment, including where appropriate, test devices and tools supplied by the customer is maintained by Quality Assurance in the computer.

7.3

Labeling Equipment Each piece of equipment will be marked with the most recent calibration date and the date for the next scheduled calibration. Only equipment with a current label is used.

The Calibration Label (11-RC-003 or Laboratory Label) is invalid if it is incomplete or illegible. If the item is too small for marking, the label can be placed on the storage case for the equipment. 7.4 Calibration Recall The QA Manager notifies the Custodian verbally or through a recall notice that calibration is scheduled prior to expiration of the current calibration. The Custodian is responsible for delivery of the equipment to the QA Manager (Tool Control) before the specified time. 7.5 Current Calibration The User is responsible for assuring that the equipment has a current calibration date prior to use. Measurements cannot be accepted from uncalibrated equipment or equipment that has exceeded its calibration date. 7.6 Control of Outside Calibration The QA Manager directs or initiates a purchase requisition for outside calibration and maintenance. The Purchasing Manager verifies that the supplier will comply with the requirements of this document and include the requirements in purchasing documents.

8.0

NONCONFORMING EQUIPMENT Unserviceable equipment that cannot be immediately corrected is identified with an Out of Service label and placed in a secured location to prevent its use. Out of Service equipment is dispositioned in accordance with the procedure for Control of Nonconforming Product (13-SP-001).

8.1

Labeling Out of Date Equipment Any equipment found with an expired calibration due date is identified with an Out of Service Label (11-RC-006) and removed from use.

8.2

Notification The QA Manager is responsible to notify the Custodian of the degree of nonconformance of the equipment if it is found to be out of the calibration specification.

When equipment is found to be out of calibration, product that has been verified with it is suspect. Previous inspection results must be assessed and documented. Corrective action is performed as necessary and the customer notified. 8.3 Reference

Inspection, measuring or test equipment that is not used for verification of part and product acceptability is identified with a REFERENCE ONLY label (11-RC004) label. If the equipment is too small for a label, than the letter R is inscribed in a conspicuous place on the equipment.