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System Level Calibration Validates Accuracy and Performance

Interface strongly recommends when buying any force measurement sensor along with instrumentation that you request a system level calibration. The final step taken to confirm that a sensor and instrumentation are working properly together before leaving Interface is a system level calibration.

System level calibrations provide traceability and record for reference for validating performance and accuracy. It is important to review calibration certificates prior to use and for any troubleshooting. System level calibrations ensure that all system components, including connectors, cables, transducers, and instrumentation are ready to use out of the box.

Interface provides calibration to all individual force measurement components. A basic calibration for the load cell is performed and certified of how the transducer performs in isolation. Expert Interface Calibration Technicians always calibrate these devices to meet the design specification and the exact parameters outlined in the accompanying calibration certifications shipped with the part. A calibration certification characterizes the load cell performance across specific force range with different load points applied output from the load cell versus applied load, confirmed by the specification in voltage outputs, milliamps, or digital output types.

A system level calibration ensures that the performance of the transducer and instrumentation are operating as a system, together. A system level calibration and an associated certification proves the system pairing is functional and essentially plug-and-play ready.

The system level calibration is an important reference for traceability and troubleshooting for the entire system. It can help identify if a setting has been changed or if there is another issue that invalidated the system.

Interface can provide system level calibrations for load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors and other measurement tools that are paired with indicators, amplifiers, USB, and digital instruments. Interface uses a very high quality NIST and NMI traceable mV/V transfer standard to ratiometrically scale or applied force to scale the system. We provide a separate digital indicator calibration certificate indicating how we scaled the instrument.

Interface guarantees our quality performance load cells, torque transducers, multi-axis sensors, and related instrumentation. We certify our products to meet or exceed the quality clauses outlined by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO).

Interface is A2LA Accredited for torque and force calibration in accordance with International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

From the time we designed our first load cells in 1968, we have been providing calibration solutions. We even calibrate other manufacturers load cells.  Every year, Interface performs more than 100,000 calibrations. Every transducer’s calibration data is stored at Interface, providing a permanent archive. We utilize NMI Certified Gold and Platinum Standard reference load cells and our Interface Gold Standard Calibration Software for all calibrations.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Instrumentation Selection Guide

Top Five Reasons Why Calibration Matters

Recap of Accurate Report on Calibration

Regular Calibration Service Maintains Load Cell Accuracy

Shunt Calibration 101

Load Cell Basics Sensor Specifications

Engaging Interface Calibration and Repair Services Expertise

A high-quality load cell is a critical piece of technology for the design and testing of products throughout various, highly regulated industries including medical, aerospace and defense, automotive, and industrial automation. To get the most out of a load cell, just like anything else, you need to understand how to care for and maintain it. A poorly maintained load cell can lead to inaccurate data and poor performance.

Interface Calibration and Repair Services provide a valuable function for our customers in recalibration and technical support for the thousands of products manufactured by the leader in force measurement.  When cared for properly, a load cell should to be calibrated once a year or at least every two years under regular use. There are also certain circumstances where a load cell is damaged in use and needs immediate repair. Interface can handle calibration and repair of any load cell on the market, whether we build it or not.

A key differentiator for Interface is the fact that our calibration lab is ISO 17025 and A2LA accredited. These accreditations are typically for major calibration labs, not in a manufacturer’s facilities like ours. Our deep expertise in the development of load cells allows us to provide the highest quality calibration and repair services on the market because we know the product inside and out.

Interface’s Industry Leading Calibration and Repair Process

The Interface calibration team consists of 10 individuals dedicated to an optimized calibration and repair process that gets our customer’s load cells in and out as quickly as possible. The process begins with the front-end team, who manages the customer’s request, goes through the RMA process, and troubleshoots any additional concerns with the customer.

Once we review the product in-house at our Arizona headquarters, the load cell goes through a thorough inspection process to identify any necessary repairs and to ensure the load cell is in working condition for calibration. This includes an electrical test to evaluate if the load cell is in proper condition to calibrate. It’s also important to note that if the load cell can’t be repaired, there is no charge to the customer, and we work to find a replacement unit. The customer also approves any repairs that are necessary before work begins.

The final step in the process is the actual calibration. Our calibration team has many years of experience and know load cells inside and out. We also work with the most advanced equipment, including our proprietary Gold Standard® and Platinum Standard® systems. These devices ensure that the load cells are calibrated to the most accurate capability possible before returning to the customer. More information about Interface Calibration Systems can be found in our Calibration Systems 101 blog here.

Our commitment to building quality calibration systems is evident by the customers who also use them to do calibration in-house. In fact, in nearly every major manufacturing testing lab, you will find an Interface Gold Standard Calibration System and Gold or Platinum Standard Load Cells. This is because our customers are working on some of the most advanced hardware in their respective industries and fields. Engineers and testing labs trust Interface for accuracy, performance and quality.

Interface customers not only need to ensure their measurements are as accurate as possible to avoid product failure, they also need to prove the accuracy of their testing equipment for those products to pass inspection and make it to the market. We provide both our expert calibration services in our calibration lab, or through high-quality, high-reliability systems available that we build for our customers.

Interface Calibration and Repair Services

  • 50+ Years of Calibration Experience
  • Calibration of All Manufacturers Load Cells
  • 100,000+ Calibrations Performed Annually
  • Custom Calibrations
  • IPerform Service Software for RMA, Tracking and Permanent Archive of Test Data
  • NMI Certified Gold and Platinum Standard Reference Load Cells
  • Interface Gold Standard Calibration Software Used for Data Collection and Analysis
  • Full-Service Machine Shop for Mechanical Requirements

Force Capabilities:

  • NIST/NMI Traceable Calibration
  • 2 gf – 1 Million lbf Calibration Capability
  • (9) Hydraulic & (5) Deadweight Test Stands to Support Your Calibration Requirements

Torque Capabilities:

  • 0.022 – 100K in-lbf Capacities
  • NIST Traceable to 2.2K in-lbf
  • NMI Traceable 2.2K – 100K in-lbf

Interface calibration and repair services are designed with the customer in mind. Our process is fast, reliable and will ensure premium accuracy for our customer’s most complex and high-quality data-dependent design and test projects. Our team of experts work with every customer to ensure personalized world-class service.  It starts with engagement, how can we help?

For more information on Interface calibration and repair services, please visit /calibration-repair/.

Click here to schedule a service today.

Contributor:  Chris Brandenburg, Technical Services Manager at Interface