Recommended B&S calibration service

[dwade]

I'm looking at calibrating 2 CMMs (MicroVal PFx and MicrXcel PFx) and I not familiar with the B&S calibrations. I've got their service agreement with no costs and want to know what would be the best. I'm looking at the B89 4.1 Enhanced Certification and am thinking that this is what I want. I really think that the ISO VDI/VDE 2617 Advanced Certification is over kill.

What are you're opinions and recommendations.

We are a medical device supplier.

Duane

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

If they don't check and calibrate the linear values for your machine, you are not in calibration as far as I am concerned. Just using the ball-bar for the linear is not good enough, if you ask me, since it only checks 1 over-all distance value. Sure, 24" checks 24", but how does 12" check?

[Cumofo]

Both your CMM's are very small, it would be difficult to calibrate any other way. Plus the PFX's are very accurate if properly cleaned and serviced.
I feel the ISO 10012-1 4.15 clause is certainly met by B89.4.1 which is good enough for Uncle Sam, and I think would satisfy most international customers.
I feel the German Standard Vdi/Vde 2617 is not fully matured internationally, and it is seldom recognized in the United States. So why encumber yourself further? I feel that proper application of CMM programming and probing techniques carry far more influence in accuracy than a few differences in calibration routines.


Gabriel

[dwade]

If they don't check and calibrate the linear values for your machine, you are not in calibration as far as I am concerned. Just using the ball-bar for the linear is not good enough, if you ask me, since it only checks 1 over-all distance value. Sure, 24" checks 24", but how does 12" check?

I agree. You need to know your accuracies all the way thru your measurement range on the CMM.

This is what I was looking at having done.

B89 4.1 Enhanced Certification, includes
5.3 Repeatability (Sphere)
5.5 Volumetric Performance (Ball Bar)
5.4.2 Linear Displacement Accuracy (Unidirectional Step Gage)

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

That's what you need. Square and linear, without them, you are not certified, square alone just does not cut it.

[TRD_racing]

I'm looking at calibrating 2 CMMs (MicroVal PFx and MicrXcel PFx) and I not familiar with the B&S calibrations. I've got their service agreement with no costs and want to know what would be the best. I'm looking at the B89 4.1 Enhanced Certification and am thinking that this is what I want. I really think that the ISO VDI/VDE 2617 Advanced Certification is over kill.

dwade,
I was trying to ask this question a few weeks ago. I just found out today was that different cert. or type of calibrations cost different amounts. I asked for a calibrations above the B89 because I have had so issues at certain spots in the machine. I have had a gear and belt replaced but now it is making noise again. I also have a PMA (I just found out), so they said that a step gage calibration might be better for me? Is this true Matt? I was told this was what they did for machines built w/ ISO standards or are all machines built this way.

[Matthew D. Hoedeman]

For a calibration to be any good (IMO), it needs to check AND correct the squareness and linearity of the machine. The only way this can be done is either to laser and re-map the table ($$$$$ and build a new table map) or to check and set the square with the ball-bar (if your controller is capable of allowing this) AND to check and set the linearity with a step gage. Now, depending on your machine, both of these things might need to be done manually, meaning they physically adjust and change the machine so that it checks right. If you have a newer controller, they can do the ball-bar to get the squareness set and then use the step gage and the resolution to get the linear as close as they can. Either way, unless BOTH aspects are addressed, I would not concider the machine calibrated.

[TRD_racing]

Thanks Matt, that's what I was looking for. Congrats on the Demi-Guru status