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Metrologists and Calibration Technicians 101

Interface works with metrologists and calibration technicians worldwide. We are a partner, supplier of calibration grade products they use, and participants in research to advance the science of measurement. We are also proud team members with experienced experts in measurement, including our esteemed force measurement engineers and calibration technicians at Interface.

By simple definition, a metrologist is a scientist who researches and applies the science of measurement. Working in the field of metrology, they often create processes and engineer tools and systems used to measure objects, such as load cell calibration tools used to accurately to measure applied force.

Engineers and technicians work in collaboration with metrologists in the design of products and devices used for measuring objects. Metrologists are keen to maintain the accuracy standards of measurements for organizations, product makers, and manufacturers of measurement devices.

Metrologists practice their expertise in test and measurement at manufacturing facilities, corporate R&D centers, independent test and calibration labs, government entities and standards organizations, as well as at higher learning institutions. The range of industries that utilize metrologists spans from aerospace to medical sciences. It is commonplace for metrologists to participate in research, product design, testing, and repair of equipment.

To preserve accuracy of performance and standards of measurement, metrologists develop calibration procedures to control performance of devices. They use these techniques to also identify enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives. Metrology professionals often share their findings with metrologist groups and associations, for purposes of scientific research and development within the field of measurement science. NIST publishes reports related to metrology from contributors around the world. You can find thousands of reports here.

Calibration technicians calibrate test and measurement equipment, as well as provide quality inspection, installation, troubleshooting support, and regular maintenance. Cal techs operate the machines used to validate performance, then report on the findings.

A calibration technician can work in production or manufacturing environments, onsite calibration labs, or for independent labs that provide services to users and makers of measurement devices. It is quite common to find calibration labs staffed with experience technicians as a part of a manufacturer’s facility, across most industries. Depending on the size of the manufacturer, this could include a small in-house lab or multiple lab sites. These labs are stocked with a variety of sensors, rigs, machines, and tools. As noted by many of our representative firms and onsite customer visits, they often will find shelves of blue load cells ready for use at any time for test and measurement projects and calibration services.

Interface supplies calibration labs with all types of measurement calibration grade transducers and equipment, including:

Calibration technicians work with various testing and calibrating tools and technologies. The role requires a mix of expertise in the science and application of measurement. Interface has multiple onsite calibration labs with full testing rigs, machines, operating tools, instrumentation, and software used for tracking performance. Interface does calibrate every product we manufacture, to certify performance prior to releasing to the customer.

Interface Services Calibration Technicians operate within our Services Calibration and Repair Department at our Interface production facilities in Arizona. They provide services for Interface products for annual and regular calibration check-ups, as well as diagnostic, repair, and warranty evaluations. Interface recommends annual calibration services. If you need to schedule a service, go here.

Technicians perform calibrations and any additional needed services for customer owned equipment, works with quality and inspection managers to maintain the proper records within the services process application. They ensure that the measurements taken with our equipment are accurate. Interface calibration techs work on multiple shifts for a 24/6 operation. Interface is adding qualified technicians to our team to meet the demands in production and services.

Calibration technicians perform inspection, testing and validation to ensure conformance to established accuracy and calibration standards. They also help to create calibration procedures and help n sourcing errors or quality issues reported during calibration activities.

Requirements for Interface Calibration Technicians include:

  • Perform basic to mid-range diagnostics of force measurement equipment
  • Work collaboratively in a team environment to complete discrete tasks
  • Print and Review Calibration Certificates Competencies
  • Able to use fine motor skills to calibrate product
  • Able to work with hand and power tools, lifts, electronic test equipment, soldering and indicators
  • Understands industry and quality concepts and standards such as ISO, A2LA, NIST
  • Offers suggestions and improvements as they see them
  • Organize and schedule work in progress
  • Experience in calibration technology, science, engineering, or a related field

You can apply for positions Interface Calibration Technician jobs here.

For metrologists and calibration technicians, quality and control require strict adherence to ensure that the products and equipment are performing properly. As measurement is exact, both are responsible for performing routine audits and quality inspections to maintain compliance with good calibration practices.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Regular Calibration Service Maintains Load Cell Accuracy

Top Five Reasons Why Calibration Matters

Shunt Calibration 101

Extending Transducer Calibration Range by Extrapolation

Strain Gage Design Under Eccentric Load WRSGC Presentation

Specifying Accuracy Requirements When Selecting Load Cells

 

Users of Interface Test and Measurement Products

Interface has a long history working with several types of users that rely on our products for test and measurement.

From pioneering engineers working in campus labs to ground-breaking scientists and innovators finding solutions to complex problems. We often share insights about the many industries that Interface serves and how our extensive line of products are used in a wide variety of applications within these industries.

In this Interface IQ Blog, we want to highlight individuals who use our products and discuss how they are used in various projects, programs, and testing environments.

We recently asked our customers how they utilize our products and here are their responses:

  • Calibration Equipment – 36%
  • Product Testing and Use in a Test Lab – 30%
  • New Product Design and Engineering Solutions – 25%
  • Products Manufactured into Original Equipment or Devices – 25%
  • Fatigue Testing – 20%
  • As Components of Other Products -16%
  • Experimentation – 14%
  • Education and Training 7%

Note that each responder chose all that applied in the survey.

Interface Product and Service User Types

Product Design Engineers

Product design engineers are involved from the very beginning of new production introduction (NPI). They are theorizing new products or product improvements, drawing designs, and developing prototypes. Force measurement plays a key role in NPI, enabling many different capabilities including automation, in-product performance monitoring, and more. These engineers benefit from Interface products because we offer top-quality performance, and we can uniquely customize our products and complete solutions to meet new product designs. Read our recent profile: Why Product Design Engineers Choose Interface.

Product Test Engineers

Product testing remains Interface’s largest user profile across industries. Interface provides various load cells, torque transducers, data acquisition instrumentation of all capabilities and capacities to create small and large testing solutions. We offer solutions for testing products, manufactured parts, prototypes, consumer goods, devices, OEM solutions and embedded components. We work directly with product testing engineers and test lab experts to supply standard, engineered-to-order, and customized solutions to fit into a test machines, rigs, and test benches. Often our products are designed right into the product to provide instant user feedback. Interface products are used to test everything from the structural integrity of an airplane to the minute forces of heart valve clamps used in open heart surgery. Product Test Engineers choose Interface due to the reliability and quality of sensors, along with precision accuracy.

Metrologists

Metrology is the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology. Therefore, it is all too common to find many Interface products within a metrology lab. Metrologists use Interface products to calibrate the machinery and tooling that will is frequently used during production and manufacturing. The relationship between Interface, metrologists and manufacturing engineers is an important one because each role in partnership ensures the quality of the products that leave the manufacturer’s doors.

Manufacturing Engineers and Production

Interface products can also be found within many of the machines, equipment, and tools on a manufacturing floor. These engineers will often use Interface products as embedded sensors or for process monitoring. With industrial automation, our sensor technologies are used to enable a machine to ensure certain robotics or automated functions are tuned correctly to provide the right amount of force. Some examples include packaging lines, bolt fastening, bottle capping machines in a soda factory or stamping machining that mark the minute symbols or logos on a pill. Manufacturing facility attendants also use force measurement to monitor machines in use. When force data is observed outside of a safe range, a manufacturing attendant may determine that a machine on the floor needs calibration or repair.

Educators

Another major customer of Interface are professors and lab techs in higher education facilities. Colleges and universities, specifically engineering departments often have Interface blue load cells and testing equipment onsite. Force measurement’s role is growing rapidly in STEM, as workforce demands seek out students experienced in R&D, engineering, design, mathematics, science and proving concepts. Therefore, professors are purchasing our products to give students hands-on experience with sensor technologies in early and advanced education. In fact, many young students today have exposure to products tested or using active sensors as part of their functions, like tablet displays, planet rovers, sports equipment, robotics, gaming brake pedals, rockets, and drones. Working together with academic institutions, we understand that having access to the best components helps develop future engineers as innovators.

This is a concise list of different people and titles we have worked with over the years. There are many more out there. Also, the use of force measurement sensors is growing rapidly in product design and development, so we expect this list to continue to expand. We are proud to serve such a diverse range of individuals, industries and applications and we look forward to what the future of force measurement holds.

Interface Celebrates World Metrology Day 2021

World Metrology Day is an annual event that recognizes the science of measurement and all the contributions this important role has in advancing industries around the globe. May 20 is the official metrology day of recognition, as assigned through the Metre Convention on the same day in 1875.  This original convention was signed by 17 nations, including the United States, to celebrate the unity of all nations on the uniformity of measurement.

Metrology is the science of weights and measures. The dependency on the science of measurement crosses every continent and nearly every industry, from aerospace to medical. World Metrology Day 2021 is important to Interface and our role in helping metrologists and organizations throughout the world innovative, design, discover, engineer and manufacture products that improve the quality of life and protect our global environment.

There are many types of metrologists that study and practice the science of measurement. They are known for developing quantity systems, units of measurement, and measuring methods to be used in science. Interface primarily partners with metrology engineers and force metrologists that specialize in engineering-related measuring for calibrating instruments, designing new technologies or tools, creating systems of measurement, analyzing data and researching methods for improving the science of measuring. Interface provides many tools and systems for this type of work, from our precision load cells, torque transducers, and multi-axis sensors to instrumentation and calibration systems.

The future of force metrology is evolving.  As noted by our VP of Product Management, Ted Larson, “The force measurement industry has already been changed permanently.  Digital and wireless solutions will only continue to grow in popularity. More advanced data solutions and capabilities are being offered every day. The force measurement industry is innovating in ways we did not think were possible a decade ago.”

Interface works with metrologists, engineers and leaders in their industries to continue to advance the science and by supporting those that are driving change. Read more about the trends and future of metrology in Ted’s Metrology News article here.