Calibration
technician confidence, and ensure that calibration becomes a seamless part of daily workflows. There should be no trade-off between simplicity and performance. Accuracy and compliance must remain the top priorities, and the best tools are those that deliver both, offering reliable, standards- based calibration results without requiring extensive setup or specialised expertise.
When evaluating calibration tools, look for options that:
Integrate with existing systems such as your CMMS or asset management software, allowing calibration data to be stored, tracked, and retrieved easily.
Offer a user-friendly interface and experience so technicians of all experience levels can use them effectively.
Automate repetitive tasks, like data capture and documentation, reducing manual entry and minimising the risk of missed steps or recording errors.
Choosing tools designed with the user in mind allows companies to improve consistency, reduce training time, and help maintenance teams focus on ensuring that equipment stays within specifications and that operations run smoothly.
THE NEED TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF CALIBRATION
tasks such as documenting the calibration to maintain an audit trail.
Performing calibration in-house enables teams to perform calibrations on their own internal schedule and control the documentation and processes. It has the added benefit of enabling teams to perform calibration when unexpected problems occur, such as when an instrument is dropped or is suspected of being outside of specifications. Training your team to perform in-house calibration does not just save time and money. In the face of an industry-wide decline in technical knowledge, it also builds a workforce that understands metrology principles and develops a deeper awareness of measurement accuracy. With this added technical knowledge, technicians become more mindful about calibration practices and are better equipped to maintain quality and reliability across their broader responsibilities.
PROVIDING YOUR TEAM CONFIDENCE IN CALIBRATION
To realise these benefits, organisations must equip their teams with the knowledge and tools necessary to perform calibration with confidence and accuracy. Technicians need a solid understanding of metrology principles, including understanding how measurements work, which parameters they are responsible for, and how to interpret and apply
Instrumentation Monthly September 2025
measurement modalities correctly. This foundational knowledge helps them not only execute calibrations, but also recognise when equipment is drifting or when deeper investigation is needed. Companies can support this capability by investing in ongoing training. This can include webinars, on-demand courses, or hands-on, in-person sessions, whatever fits best with the team’s needs and schedules. Importantly, like calibration itself, training should not be a one-time event. New tools, technologies, and standards emerge regularly, and keeping technicians up to date ensures both quality and compliance. At a minimum, calibration training should be refreshed annually.
For organisations with limited resources, it may not be necessary to train every technician on calibration principles right away. Instead, prioritise the most complex operations or most critical systems, and focus on getting one or two key team members trained first. This approach balances day-to-day workload with the long-term benefits of building internal expertise.
EVALUATING CALIBRATION TOOLS In addition to training your team, one of the most critical factors for building a successful calibration program is selecting tools that are intuitive and easy to use. These reduce the chance of operator error, build
To make in-house calibration successful, it is critical to approach it the same way as any other quality process. That starts with ensuring technicians know what they’re measuring and understand both the equipment being calibrated and the calibration tools themselves. A trained technician is far more likely to catch subtle issues, document results accurately, and follow best practices consistently. These practices foster a culture of calibration, a mindset that views calibration as a proactive, essential process that is incorporated into everyday workflows throughout your organisation. When calibration is planned, prioritised, and valued across the organisation, it is far easier to maintain the high standards required in industries like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, food and beverage, and oil and gas.
As technology and quality expectations evolve, calibration is quickly becoming a standard responsibility for maintenance professionals. This shift brings technicians into the quality process by creating a more holistic approach to product quality control. By equipping maintenance professionals with the tools, training, and support to perform calibrations, companies can reduce costs, save time, and build stronger, more capable teams to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.
Fluke Corporation
www.fluke.com
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