Scale Calibration and Certifications can be scheduled online or by sending an email to: service@masstec.ca
WHAT IS A CALIBRATION?
A tool used for measuring purposes needs to be re-programmed or re-adjusted to get as close to a reference tool (a scale or weight that is extremely accurate and well calibrated – usually with a certificate to prove it) as possible. Depending on the use of the measuring tool and the accuracy required you may be required to have a certificate showing how your measuring tool meets those values.
Weighing scale calibration is part of scale maintenance. It ensures accuracy and fairness and it also allows technicians to do any preventative maintenance and repairs needed, this helps keep your scales working year-round and reduces downtime due to breakdowns, although not completely.
Some scales are much larger and there are various methods to calibrate truck scales, tank scales or silo’s.
CALIBRATION SCHEDULES
Scale calibration and certification schedules are good to implement so you know your scales are always accurate.
A schedule is a period of time that you or your company believes best suits their needs, usually depending on where they place the importance of accuracy in weighing their product. This can be getting your scales calibrated annually, biannually (every 6 months), every 4 months, or quarterly (every 3 months).
If your scales are not for use in trade, then it really depends on several factors.
For example if you are deciding on when to get your lab balances calibrated, and these lab balances are accurate up to 0.001 g and used for measuring the amount of Citric Acid to add to a product or a component, and the result of being under or over weight is it will affect the flavour or color then you may want to get your scales calibrated more often, say every 3-4 months.
Compare this to a much larger scale that is accurate to 5g and weighs the amount of rock in an aggregate, being over or under will not necessarily affect quality or aesthetic, but being over can affect your profits slightly.
The you may not place scale calibration as high up in importance and calibrate your scales annually.
Many companies that have a Quality Systems will have calibration schedules set and these are what they will use based on procedure, they will also need documentation to show they have been following their procedure. These are the calibration reports or certifications that we provide after calibration.
Depending on your need for accuracy, it is possible to get your own test reference weight and test it periodically yourself. You can then have that weight calibrated to ensure its accuracy and then if you notice it is out of specification, you can contact us to calibrate the scale for you. This means you only have a calibration when you need it.
LEGAL FOR TRADE CALIBRATION PERIOD
If your device needs a Measurement Canada Legal for Trade Examination and Certification then you will need to adhere to the calibration examination periods in “when to get your device examined” in the Measurement Canada Weights and Measure Regulations and it will depend on your industry.
One thing to note, those in the Aggregate, Sand and Gravel trade are a subsector of the Mining Trade and therefor only need to have their scales Legal for Trade once. Their calibration schedule then depends on their own procedures. However, if they change any part of the scale they need a subsequent Legal for Trade. Contact us if you require information on your devices in you trade.
HOW DO WE CALIBRATE SCALES?
When Masstec arrives for your scale calibration and certification, they will first look the scales over for damage and check that they are sitting level. With our Measurement Canada certified mass reference standards we enter calibration mode on the scale and apply the correct weight to match the value on the scale, typically we do this for 3-4 different weight reference points. The scale re-programs or adjusts it’s weight value to match the exact weight we have applied. After, we test it to make sure it is correct and then apply a calibration sticker to the scale with the calibration date and expire date. We supply an electronic report indicating our initial reading, calibration and final readings for traceability.
CALIBRATION REMINDERS
We all get busy and it may be hard to remember when your scale calibration and certification is due. At your request, we will send email reminders, and that way you will always be ready should an audit arrive. We are always able to re-send reports if you contact us at any time as we keep them on file for 7+ years.