Calibration and Repair Services

Calibration and repair services are companies that calibrate and repair laboratory and scientific instruments, test and measurement equipment, and industrial sensors. They are located across North America and around the world. Calibration and repair services differ in terms of expertise. Some companies specialize in the preventative maintenance or calibration of acoustic, avionic, environmental, fiber optic, marine, medical, and geophysical instruments. Others troubleshoot and adjust displays and panel meters, electrical and electronic test equipment, industrial computers, and process instruments. Calibration and repair services that rebuild, replace, and repair analytical instruments and laboratory equipment are commonly available. Analytical instruments include shakers, environmental test chambers, laboratory ovens, mechanical test equipment, chillers, baths, and sample preparation equipment. Laboratory equipment includes spectrometers, microscopes, chromatographs, pH meters, TOC analyzers, colorimeters, titrators, diffractometers and other specialized instruments. 

Selecting calibration and repair services requires an understanding of services offered. Field testing is performed on-site at a client’s facility in order to minimize downtime. Bench testing is performed off-site, usually at a lab or shop owned by the calibration and repair service. Some bench testing companies provide pick-up and delivery services. Others offer a replacement or exchange program. Calibration and repair services that are certified or approved by original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are authorized to perform warranty work. Troubleshooting, diagnostic or corrective maintenance is designed to correct an existing problem. Preventative maintenance is designed to prevent equipment failure before a problem occurs.    

Calibration and repair services meet quality requirements from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the International Standards Organization (ISO). ISO 17025 outlines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. ISO 9000 provides an internationally recognized framework for quality management systems and includes three major standards: ISO 9000:2000, ISO 9001:2000, and ISO 9004:2000. QS-9000 is based on the 1994 edition of ISO 9001, but contains additional requirements that are particular to the automotive industry. Calibration and repair services that serve the U.S. government must comply with relevant military specifications (MIL-SPEC) and standards (MIL-STD). ANSI / NCSL Z540-1 is a requirements document that is similar to the MIL-STD 45662A standard.

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