Straightpoint has named eight distributors as authorised calibration centres for its range of load cells.
Australian Calibrating Services; RUD Lifting Japan; Gaylin in Malaysia; Carl Stahl UAE; Van Gool in the Netherlands; Trinidad Inspection Services; Myers Manufacturing, USA; and Data Weigh, USA have all been named as authorised Straightpoint calibration centres.
All centres will use Straightpoint calibration equipment and the manufacturer will share procedures with them to provide a consistent service level worldwide.
Calibration — correlation of the readings of an instrument to check accuracy — is a crucial component of force measurement, said Straightpoint. The authorised centres will use a highly accurate hydraulic test machine equipped with a reference load cell that gives traceability to national standards.
All personnel performing calibration will undergo training by Straightpoint; each centre will supply copies of third-party calibration certificates for their test machines annually.
David Mullard, business development manager at Straightpoint, said: “If an instrument is not calibrated, it defeats the object of using one to monitor a lift, as it is not a true and accurate measure of the load. Safety starts with accurate measurement.
“We are always looking at ways to improve our service levels to customers and calibration is an important part of that for a Straightpoint load cell. We recommend that calibration is done every 12 months but that can vary depending how intensively a load cell is used.
“If an instrument is employed for hundreds of lifts per day, we would recommend it be calibrated more frequently. In those instances, a local calibration centre is a major plus point,” Mullard added.