Digital transformation is real and yes, it is changing how things have worked in the past. There are several new calibration methods that have become popular, and digitalization is stimulating the adoption of new methods.
Laboratory Instruments calibration service providers, metrology bodies, lab equipment owners, etc. are all working together to establish standard calibration methods which are uniform across the industry.
Read on to learn about the new methods of lab equipment calibration and how digitalization is impacting them.
New Laboratory Instruments Calibration Methods
Check out the new calibration methods which are popular in today’s market.
Pressure Calibration
Pressure calibration is the process of measuring the pressure readings of a pressure gauge against quality standards. It uses pressure calibrators, digital indicators, barometers, transmitters, etc. The instruments being used for measuring pressure calibration must be more accurate than the pressure gauges.
Temperature calibration
Temperature calibration is the process of calibrating any instrument that measures temperature. The process takes place in a controlled environment, where the temperature readings are measured against a known standard. It uses devices such as Platinum Resistance Thermometers, data acquisition systems, chambers, furnaces, dial thermometers, Thermal cameras, etc.
Pipette Calibration
Pipettes are widely used in laboratories and their calibration is important to ensure accurate dispensing. Pipette calibration is carried out for both single-channel and multi-channel pipettes. The method used is the gravimetric method and requires tools, such as distilled water, temperature meter, pipettes, atmospheric pressure meter, beakers, and analytical balances.
Electrical Calibration
This calibration type is suitable for equipment that offers results in voltage, current, time and frequency, capacitance, and other electrical parameters. The electrical calibration process measures the uncertain electrical magnitude against the known electrical values which are internationally accepted. Some of the required tools are electrical meters, multimeters, data loggers, insulation testers, oscilloscopes, loop testers, etc.
Flow Calibration
The method is useful for the labs and industries where flow equipment is used. Their efficiency is essential for the productivity of the processes. The flow rate is the rate at which a liquid or gas flows in the pipeline or crevices. The flow meter measures the flow rate. The aim of flow calibration is to calibrate these flow meters for accurate measurements and overall productivity.
Mechanical Calibration
Mechanical instruments suffer due to wear and tear exposure, shock, and their calibration is important. It refers to measuring the angle, volume, mass, dimension, force, torque, etc.
Impact of Digitalization on Laboratory Instruments Calibration
Automation is a revolution that is impacting every operation. Calibration cannot remain untouched by its impact.
For decades, calibration has been carried out manually. Calibrators are used to calibrate instruments and record the readings manually. Data handling was also a manual process and data management is another story. No wonder, human errors were numerous, and automation was the solution.
Several calibration software systems have made their way into the market and are quite popular since they have made calibration a hassle-free and paperless procedure.
This calibration software is responsible for streamlining calibration, scheduling instrument calibration, maintaining and monitoring the calibration data, making detailed reports as required, and many more benefits which are discussed here.
- It eliminates the need of maintaining manual data. It also saves several labor hours and money associated with it. Plus, the process is faster.
- It also increases productivity. Employees can calibrate more instruments in a workday and reduce downtime.
- Automated software allows working on multiple instruments simultaneously.
- It also reduces setup time as the data is already stored on the software and is easy to access.
Terms like digital twins and digitalization are not words anymore. They have made their way into the industry and its high time when you move toward digitalization. Its benefits are evident, and even though it is in the budding stage, the future belongs to automation.
Conclusion
To keep lab instruments up to date, laboratory instrument calibration is essential. Calibration processes are taking a digital turn, and it’s time for you to adopt it too.
