Cleveland Calibration Service

Quality Alert

by Keith Kokal, Micro Laboratories Inc., from the January, 1998 Issue of 'The Tower',
newsletter of the American Society for Quality

WARNING!! You may be getting just what you pay for if you are buying the cheap import tools invading the manufacturing industry. There is a major push to sell this substandard inspection equipment. These "offshore" manufacturers have copied the products of well known and respected names in the measuring industry, down to the size appearance, color and even the packaging, to target the unwary buyer, and their marketing plan is working.

We have seen a substantial increase in this "off-shore" equipment being sent in for calibration and repair. Many of these items were unable to meet specification when new. Items requiring rework or repair are seldom worth the expense incurred, replacement parts typically not being available.

Some examples of the problems encountered are:

Gage Pins - grind checks, mis-marked and mixed sets, over or under size, magnetized

Gage Blocks - soft low carbon steel, no chamfers, magnetized, over or undersize

Height Gages - not square, base not lapped or plated, columns bent, not accurate

Indicators - poor repeatability, linearity, accuracy, rod sticking, poor tip threads

Micrometers - parallax error, hard to read due to etched lines, loose sleeves, etc.

In short, there are more problems than space required to list them all. In buying gages, consider not only the purchase price but also the cost of unreliable equipment. Existing frequencies in a calibration system are based on known histories of gages. Introducing substandard measuring equipment into a measuring system waters down the integrity of that system, jeopardizing your ability to group similar gages into common calibration intervals.

Granted, real gages cost more but manufacturers have been competing for products which are more accurate, with greater reliability. Look into your toolbox, chances are you will find an old, still reliable micrometer in it. The cheap "offshore" gages won't last a fraction of that time.

Pass this information on to those who need to know to maintain the integrity of your gaging system.

Keith has over 20 years experience in manufacturing with several companies. Starting as a utility worker and working his way through Four Slide apprentice, Setup Operator, Inspector, Q.A. Engineer, Q.A. Manager, Manager of Plant Operations and Director of Manufacturing.

Keith is a Senior Member of ASQ and a Charter Member of the Measurement Quality Division of ASQ. Keith is a voting member of TC1 763 the working group rewriting ISO 10012.1, and does volunteer work for local colleges and nonprofit organizations. As Laboratory Manager for Micro Laboratories, Inc. Keith routinely assists customers in their efforts to improve their competitive position.

Keith may be reached at 440/918-0001.

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