TABLE OF CONTENTS David R. Workman
Consultant, Littleton, Colorado
The accepted name for the field of calibration is metrology, one definition for which is the science that deals with measurement. 1 Calibration facilities are commonly called metrology laboratories. Individuals who are primarily engaged in calibration services are called metrologists, a title used to describe both technicians and engineers. Where subcategorization is required, they are referred to as metrology technicians or metrology engineers.
All technical, engineering, and scientific disciplines utilize measurement technology in their fields of endeavor. Metrology concentrates on the fundamental scientific concepts of measurement support for all disciplines. In addition to calibration, the requirements for a competent metrologist include detailed knowledge regarding contractual quality assurance requirements, test methodology and system design, instrument specifications, and performance analysis. Metrologists commonly perform consultation services for company programs that relate to their areas of expertise.
The definitions of related terms are a foundation for understanding calibration. Many of the following definitions are taken directly or paraphrased for added clarity from the contents of MIL-STD-45662A.2 Other definitions are based on accepted industrial usage. Additional commentary is provided where deemed necessary.
Calibration is the comparison of measurement and test equipment (M&TE) or a measurement standard of unknown accuracy to a measurement standard of known accuracy to detect, correlate, report, or eliminate by adjustment any variation in the accuracy of the instrument being compared. In other words, calibration is the process of comparing a measurement device whose accuracy is...
