How to Manage Gauge Calibration
This guide explains how to register measuring gauges, track calibration due dates, and maintain NIST traceability records — required by ISO 9001:2015 §7.1.5.
Why Calibration Records Matter
Measurements are only valid if the gauge used to take them has been calibrated. Without documented calibration records, inspection data cannot be used as conformance evidence. Auditors will look for:
- A gauge inventory with unique IDs
- Calibration intervals and due dates
- Traceability to a national standard (NIST)
- Action taken when a gauge is found overdue
Prerequisites
- You must be logged in as a superuser (admin) to add or edit gauges
- Any user can view the gauge list
Navigating to Calibration
From the navigation bar click Calibration, or go to /calibration.
Alert banner: If any gauge is past its calibration due date, a red warning banner will appear at the top of the page. Measurements taken with an overdue gauge should not be accepted as conformance evidence.
Adding a Gauge
- Click Add Gauge
- Fill in the fields:
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge ID | Unique identifier printed on the gauge (e.g. MIC-001) |
Yes |
| Description | What the gauge measures (e.g. 0–1″ Outside Micrometer) |
|
| Gauge Type | Micrometer, Caliper, Pin Gauge, CMM, etc. | |
| Serial Number | Manufacturer's serial number | |
| Calibration Interval (days) | How often recalibration is required (e.g. 365) |
|
| Last Calibration Date | Date of most recent calibration | |
| Next Calibration Due | Date calibration expires | |
| Cert Number | Calibration certificate number | |
| Calibration Lab | Name of the calibration lab | |
| NIST Traceability | Certificate or standard number proving traceability |
- Click Save Gauge
Understanding the Status Colors
| Row Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Gauge is past its Next Calibration Due date — do not use |
| Yellow | Calibration is due within 30 days — schedule recalibration now |
| Default | Gauge is current |
The Status badge on each row also shows Overdue, Out of Service, or Current.
Updating a Gauge After Recalibration
When a gauge comes back from the calibration lab:
- Find the gauge in the table
- Click Edit
- Update Last Calibration Date, Next Calibration Due, and Cert Number
- Click Save
The status will update automatically based on the new due date.
Linking a Gauge to a Measurement
On the Data Input page, a Gauge Used dropdown will appear when at least one gauge with Current status exists. Selecting a gauge records its ID alongside the measurement, creating a permanent link between the inspection result and the instrument used — a key requirement for traceability.
Removing a Gauge
Click Delete on the gauge row and confirm. Only remove gauges that have been retired or scrapped. Doing so does not affect historical measurement records that referenced that gauge.