Procedure · SOP-25
Dimensional Calibration
Calibration of callipers, micrometers, gauge blocks, dial indicators and rules by comparison to reference standards.
Purpose
To define the method for calibrating dimensional measuring instruments and length standards by comparison with reference gauge blocks, rings, plugs and reference instruments at or corrected to 20 degC, with uncertainty evaluated per SOP-16 and reporting per SOP-18.
What is inside
10 sections, about 5 pages when printed.
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. References
- 4. Definitions
- 5. Responsibilities
- 6. Procedure
- Records generated by this procedure
- Monitoring and performance indicators
- Assessment readiness notes
- Related documents
Records it generates
Applying this procedure produces the following records, which are the evidence an assessor samples.
- –Calibration worksheet with raw data, environment, equipment and calculations
- –Instrument / logger data files
- –Job uncertainty evaluation
- –Certificate and review checklist
- –QC / check standard results
What an assessor looks for
The document closes with these points, so you can check your own practice before someone else does.
- –Checking soak times and temperature records for the sampled job and the temperature correction applied.
- –Reviewing anvil flatness / parallelism checks and force measurements on a micrometer certificate.
- –Recomputing a temperature-corrected error.
- –Checking that the gauge block set's certificate covers the blocks used and the variation in length is within grade.
- –Confirming the point pattern samples the spindle pitch.
Before you use it
- Replace every square-bracket token, starting with [LABORATORY NAME], [ADDRESS] and [EFFECTIVE DATE]. The full token list is in GD-01 Read Me First.
- Have the content technically reviewed against how your laboratory actually works, then approved by the responsible manager before it becomes a controlled document.
- Update the Word fields after editing so the table of contents and page numbers are correct: select all, then press F9.
- Record the document in your own document register and set its review date.
- Delete the assessment readiness notes if you do not want them in your controlled version; they are guidance for you, not requirements.
Related documents
- QM-01
Quality Manual
Top-level description of the management system against every clause of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
- SOP-13
Selection, Verification and Validation of Methods
Choosing appropriate methods, verifying standard methods, validating non-standard and laboratory-developed methods.
- SOP-16
Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty
GUM-based uncertainty evaluation, budgets, CMC consistency and reporting, aligned with UKAS M3003 principles.
- SOP-21
Temperature Calibration
Comparison calibration of thermometers, PRTs, thermocouples, indicators and data loggers in baths, dry blocks and chambers.
- SOP-22
Humidity Calibration
Calibration of hygrometers, RH probes and loggers against a reference hygrometer in a humidity generator or chamber.
- SOP-23
Pressure Calibration
Calibration of gauges, transducers and indicators against pressure balances and reference transducers.
- SOP-24
Electrical Calibration
DC and low-frequency calibration of multimeters, calibrators and process instruments.
- SOP-26
Mass and Balance Calibration
Calibration of weights and non-automatic weighing instruments, aligned with EURAMET cg-18 principles.