Precision measurement equipment is one of the most critical tools that allow laboratory jobs and various industries to work while providing accurate results. And as such, one way to keep these measuring instruments precise and reliable is by maintaining them properly.
If you’re working in industries such as medical and pharmaceutical, automotive, oil, production, and power industry, you’d know how essential these tools are. And you may be wondering how you can maintain your dial gauges, micrometers, calipers, and other instruments to give you accurate readings. If so, this article may be right for you.
Read below for some thoughts and insights on what you need to know about maintaining precision measurement equipment.
What Is The Importance Of Precision Measurement Equipment Maintenance?
Precision measurement equipment is used to measure physical quantities with a high degree of accuracy, it’s imperative that they’re always in perfect working condition. To start, here are some notable reasons how the proper maintenance of various precision equipment can be to your advantage.
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Assists In Maintaining Accuracy
When managing precision measurement tools, keep in mind that they are more likely to produce inaccurate readings if you don’t keep them up to date with the proper standards. Precision measurement equipment is designed to take exact measurements, and if they give a little plus or minus to their task, the work they’re supposed to do can be considered null and void.
Numerous factors can interfere with precision measurement equipment, resulting in inaccurate readings. These factors could include damage to the equipment and improper storage of the equipment.
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It Can Help Extend The Equipment’s Life
Precision measurement equipment’s durability may significantly increase with proper maintenance. If you do not adequately care for your equipment, its functionality may be affected by various factors, such as dropping or corroding.
On the other hand, if you take good care of your equipment, you can use it for a long time before it breaks or gives inaccurate reading.
Protecting the equipment from damage, storing it properly, using it correctly within its intended range of operation, and gently handling it can help extend its life and save you money on costly repairs or replacements.
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It Helps Lower Costs
Ideally, you may avoid the high costs of purchasing new equipment or repairing broken and faulty ones when you adequately maintain them. You can disregard the small amounts required to repair your equipment. However, once you begin practicing high maintenance for your equipment, you may realize that it can be possible to do well without incurring unnecessary costs while taking simple steps to ensure the safety and reliability of your equipment.
How To Maintain Precision Measuring Instruments?
Getting your equipment from reputable manufacturers is crucial in ensuring they function precisely. For instance, if your business belongs to the oil and gas industry, you’d want to ensure you get all your equipment, particularly your precision measuring instruments, from reputable oilfield supply and manufacturing companies.
To maximize your investment in these machines and ensure they function efficiently and deliver the best results, you must prioritize their proper maintenance. To guide you, here are some ways to maintain your precision measuring instruments:
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Engage Professional Recalibration Assistance regularly
Precision measurement equipment must be accurate, and that’s why it may require professional recalibration regularly. Doing so can help keep your equipment in good working condition for an extended period. And as such, you may consider hiring companies like Eley Metrology to perform professional checks on your equipment.
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Lubricate Your Equipment To Keep It From Rusting
One of the necessary steps in maintaining your precision measuring tools is to lubricate them regularly. Generally, corrosion occurs when metal instruments oxidize. As such, consider lightly oiling your equipment to protect them from corrosion and oxidation, as it can directly impact how it works.
Precision measurement equipment, such as calipers, micrometers, and coordinate measuring machines, should be lubricated to ensure smooth movement of the measuring components and to prevent wear and tear. It’s essential to use the correct type of lubricant for the equipment and to apply it correctly.
It’s crucial to use a high-quality lubricant specifically designed for precision measurement equipment. These lubricants are contaminant-free and have low viscosity to minimize drag and resistance.
When it comes to lubricating your measuring tools, you should also consider doing it according to the instructions provided in the equipment’s user guide. Doing so can assist you in adhering to the equipment’s rules, such as the correct amount of lubricant required and the types of oils that work best for your equipment.
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Keep Your Equipment In An Appropriate Location
Storage is another critical factor in maintaining measurement equipment but is often overlooked. After using any equipment, make sure to store it safely so that it won’t be destroyed or squashed by anything. It may also necessitate the separation of the instruments so that they do not rub against each other. Consequently, if your equipment frequently rubs against each other, they may become out of calibration.
The same idea also applies if your storage area is in a place where vibrations are present. Essentially, the vibrations may affect the calibration of your precision measurement equipment. As a result, your reading may be incorrect the next time you use it.
As far as the location is concerned, keep in mind that you should store your equipment in places with no moisture. You can employ some moisture-removal techniques to ensure that all dampness found in your storage area is completely removed. You can also keep the storage room air-conditioned or perhaps place silica gel packets in storage drawers. Silica gel packets can help you properly condition your storage room because it absorbs moisture and releases some of it if the air becomes dry.
On another note, there are several methods you can use to ensure that your storage facility is properly protected from excessive humidity.
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Handle Them Correctly
It’s also essential to take care of your precision measurement tools while they’re in use because it’s part of their upkeep. Avoid shaking the equipment unnecessarily, having sudden shocks, and dropping your tools, as these can all affect the precision of your readings.
When using such tools, consider placing a rubber mat on the floor below your work table. Doing so could assist in avoiding direct impact or damage to the instrument if it falls to the ground.
Furthermore, when using such equipment, it’s best to keep them away from extreme cold or heat. This is because direct contraction may affect the calibration of your equipment. That said, you must ensure that the equipment operates under a normal room temperature range.
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Clean Them As Directed
Cleaning is also an essential part of precision measurement equipment maintenance. While keeping your instruments clean is vital for obtaining accurate readings, it’s also critical that you clean them according to the supplier’s recommendations. This is significant because the material they are made of may require a particular cleaning method and specific instructions to avoid damage. For instance, when cleaning an aluminum instrument, avoid using alcohol-based products because alcohol is not a good degreaser.
That said, when cleaning your precision measurement equipment, make sure you know what to use and what not to use. You may also want to investigate whether cleaning this type of equipment with industrial ultrasonic cleaners is a viable option.
Wrapping It Up
Maintaining your precision measurement equipment can be a difficult and tedious task, but it’s essential in ensuring its functionality and longevity. And more so, this quick guide aims to help explain why precision measurement maintenance is critical and some methods you can use to keep your equipment in good working order.
