Create Calibration Schedule – A summary of the activity

Calibration can be defined as the act of keeping a piece of measuring equipment in satisfactory working condition. The systematic deviation in measurements is determined by comparing the equipment to the measurements of equipment that is in a satisfactory working condition. Minor adjustments are made to the equipment to rectify the deviations, keeping in mind the conditions under which the equipment was put to use. For example, thermometers can be calibrated by comparing their readings to a thermometer that is in a good working condition. The thermometer that is used for comparison is referred to as the “Master” equipment. The environment in which the thermometer is put to use is also kept in mind before doing the calibration. If any discrepancy is noted in the readings of the thermometers as compared to the “Master” thermometer, minor adjustments are performed on the thermometer.

The objective of the calibration is to bring equipment to a state of error-free operation with minimal cost and to reduce the probability of equipment error and to keep the performance of the equipment as close to its original level as possible. This is achieved by having plans/schedules for such equipment to carry out calibration activities.

Calibration schedules involve defining the calibration jobs to be performed on each equipment based on various schedules. The schedules for a calibration can be based on both date as well as usage of the equipment or facility.

A calibration schedule can be of two major types:, “Interval Schedules” and “Fixed Schedules”.

Interval Schedule

Interval schedules are performed at regular intervals. Based on the last calibration order generated, the schedule automatically computes the next due date/value by adding the interval specified.

Interval schedules can be of two types: calendar-based schedule and usage-based schedule.

Calendar-based schedule

Calendar-based interval schedules are performed at certain time intervals (for example in two-week or six-month cycles). These schedules are used when the calibration must be performed at fixed intervals. For example, if a calibration must be performed on the 10^th day of every month and if this is defined as Calendar-based interval schedule, then a calibration order will be generated every month with the schedule date for the job as the 10^th of that month.

Calendar-based interval schedules can be of two types:

Fixed Interval: These schedules generate calibration orders based on the interval irrespective of the status of the completion of the previously generated calibration order. In the above example mentioned, calibration order would be generated even if the corresponding calibration order of the previous month has not been completed.

Actual Interval: These schedules generate calibration orders based on the interval and the completion date of the previously generated calibration order generated from this schedule. In the above example, if a calibration order has been created for March 10, then the schedule would not create the next calibration order until the calibration order is completed. If the calibration order is completed on  March 18, then the schedule will create the next calibration order scheduled for  April 18.

Usage-based Schedule

These schedules are performed when a consumption parameter reaches a specific value based on the interval that is defined. These schedules are used when the calibration must be performed on a fixed interval value. For example, if calibration must be performed after every 1000 kilometers and if this is defined as usage-based interval schedule, then a calibration order will be generated after every 10,000 kilometers.

You must specify the following details of the parameter to generate calibration orders based on usage based interval schedule:

• the first due value of the parameter for which the calibration order must be generated

• the interval of the parameter value after which the calibration order must be generated and the interval unit

 Multiple parameters can be defined with different intervals. Based on the last calibration order generated, the schedule automatically computes the next due value by adding the interval specified.

Fixed Schedule

Fixed schedules are used for carrying out one-time execution of calibration on a specific date or parameter value.

Fixed schedules can be of two types:

Fixed Date Schedules

Fixed Date Schedules are used for carrying out one-time execution of calibration on a specific date. Multiple fixed dates can be specified in one calibration schedule.

Fixed Usage Schedules

Fixed Usage Schedules are used for carrying out one-time execution of calibration on a specific parameter value. Multiple values for multiple parameters can be specified in one calibration schedule.

Getting familiar with the pages inside

What you can do in this activity

Create a calibration schedule

Define interval schedules for the created calibration schedule

Define fixed schedules for the calibration schedule

Define the off-seasonal period

Create a calibration schedule

You can create a calibration schedule for carrying out calibration on equipment. Calibration can be defined as the act of keeping a piece of measuring equipment in satisfactory working condition. The systematic deviation in measurements is determined by comparing the equipment to the measurements of equipment that is in a satisfactory working condition.

• Use the “Create Calibration Schedule” page to create the calibration schedule.

Define interval schedules for the created calibration schedule

You can define the interval schedules for the calibration schedule that you have already created. Interval schedules are performed at regular intervals. Based on the last calibration order generated, the schedule automatically computes the next due date/value by adding the interval specified.

• Use the “Interval Schedules” page to define interval schedules which can be calendar-based and usage-based.

Define fixed schedules for the calibration schedule

You can define fixed schedules for the calibration schedule that you have already created. Fixed schedules are used for carrying out one-time execution of calibration on a specific date or parameter value.

• Use the “Fixed Schedules” page to define fixed schedules which can be calendar-based and usage-based.

Define the off-seasonal period

You can define the period for which calibration need not be carried out on the equipment.

• Go to the “Off-Seasonal” page.

• Specify the period for which calibration need not be carried out on the equipment and whether it should be so every year or for the current year only.