Calibration Kits

Sensing Systems designs, manufactures and calibrates standard and custom calibration kits.  These Kits are used to calibrate load cells, force sensors and torque sensors to NIST traceable standards.  Several industries such as pharmaceutical and nuclear must continuously calibrate their measuring equipment to comply with government regulations.  Some companies prefer to have calibration capabilities in-house when their calibration requirements become extensive.  Calibration Kits allow these companies to keep traceability current on one unit by recalibrating the standard on a consistent basis.  In addition to Calibration Kits, Sensing Systems offer a full range of Calibration Services. 

Sensing Systems Calibration Kits meet all of these requirements by including calibration standards, loading fixtures, procedures and NIST traceability documentation.  Adherence to regulations and Quality Control (QC) requirements are assured through traceable measurements.  Faulty and/or out of spec equipment can be identified, repaired or replaced as necessary.

Our Calibration Kits are selected based on measurement type and maximum calibration load.  The measurement type is either Force or Torque.  Maximum calibration loads for force applications range from ounces to 3 million lbs and from 1 lb.in to 30,000 lb.ft for torque applications.

Calibration Kits for Load and Force Applications

Kits to calibrate load cells or force sensors fall into two categories.  Depending on the highest calibration load, either load cell or calibrated weight kits are used.  Load cell based kits are used for applications exceeding 100 lbs.  Calibration weight based systems are used for applications where the maximum calibration load is 100 lbs or less.

Load Cell Kits:

Calibration Kits with a load capacity higher than 100 lbs require a load cell and digital indicator.  The two components are calibrated at the factory as a system.  This system becomes the traceable calibration standard.

The Calibration Kit also includes loading fixtures, operating instructions, calibration procedures and traceability documentation.  A carrying case is also provided when the size of the components allow it.

A press or other load bearing structure, which the customer usually provides, is necessary to apply calibration loads to the sensor needing calibration.  Sensing Systems may also provide the press.  In some cases the sensors needing calibration are calibrated while installed in its equipment.  Such approach is followed when the equipment can also apply the calibration loads in a controlled manner.  This avoids the cost of downtime and/or assembly and disassembly of the machine where the sensor is installed.

Calibrated Weight Kits:

Sensing Systems supplies weight-based kits for applications where the maximum calibration load is 100 lbs or less.  In certain cases, these kits may go up to 1,000 lbs if the configuration of the sensors needing calibration permits easy loading of the weights.  These kits consist of calibrated weights, weight pan, loading fixtures, calibration procedures and traceability documentation.

The number and value of the weights are selected based on the highest calibration load.  The weight selection criteria require a minimum of five equally spaced loading intervals.  Unlike the load cell based Calibration Kits, weight based kits do not require electronic components to display the applied load.  All weights are stamped with their weight value for ease of identification.

Calibration Kits for Torque Applications

Sensing Systems designs and manufactures Calibration Kits to meet torque calibration requirements up to 360,000 lb.in capacity.  The kits may be portable or permanent installations and are designed to fit the customer facilities.

Torque Calibration Kits are categorized into load cell or weight based systems.  Selection of the type of kit is a function of the maximum calibration torque needed to complete the calibration.  All torque kits require a loading arm, weights or load cells, weight pans and a calibration stand.  Depending on capacity, some kits require hydraulic jacks and pumps to generate the required loads.

Most torque Calibration Kits and certainly all portable units are of the calibrated weight variety.  Load cell type kits can be portable, but are usually permanent installations due to the size of the equipment needed to apply and react the required loads. 

Calibrated Weight Kits:

Calibrated weight kits are the most common.  All portable kits are of this type.  They consist of a double ended loading arm, calibrated weights and a weight pan.  This kit is completely mechanical with no need for digital displays.  Calibrated weight kits range in capacity from 1 lb.in to 50,000 lb.in.  All weights are calibrated with NIST traceability.

The double ended arm is attached to the torque sensor.  The weight pans are hung from the ends of the arm and calibrated weights are placed on one of the pans to apply calibration loads.  The actual torque load is the product of the calibrated weight value times the distance from the center of the arm to the weight pan support point.  Loading one or the other weight pan applies clockwise and counterclockwise calibration loads.

Load Cell Kits:

Load cell kits are used for torque capacities exceeding 50,000 lb.in.  These kits include loading arms, load cells, digital indicators, hydraulic pumps and jacks.  They are custom made for the application and location of the facility where they are used.  The load is the product of the load cell reading times the distance from the center of the arm to the load cell attachment point.  Two load cells and jacks are used to allow for clockwise and counterclockwise operation.

Pharmaceutical Tablet Press Calibration Kit

Sensing Systems designed the Model 200C Tablet Press Calibration Kit to fulfill regulatory requirements in the Pharmaceutical Industry.  Tablet presses producing tablets are instrumented with a series of sensors that monitor compression and ejection forces.  These sensors must calibrated to comply with cGMP and Quality Control requirements.  The typical calibration interval is one year.  Six months intervals are also common.  Sensing Systems automatically notifies the kit owner when calibration is due.

The Model 200C is a load cell and calibrated weight based system.  It contains the following components:

  • Load Cells: 50 kN and 2.5 kN
  • Digital Indicator
  • Calibration Weights: 50 grams
  • Loading Fixtures and attachments
  • Software to Generate Certificates
  • Carrying Case
  • Documentation including Procedures, Operating Instructions and NIST Traceability

Calibration loads are applied with the sensors installed in the press.  Tablet presses are capable of applying loads in conjunction with the loading fixtures and attachments.  The calibration procedure conforms to industry standards and directs the user to proper documentation practices.  The Model 200C also includes Microsoft Excel© compatible software to generate and print calibration certificates.

Click here for a pdf version of the Model 200C Description.

Applications

Force and torque Calibration Kits are used by organizations requiring governmental and/or Quality Control compliance.  Other companies prefer to have calibration capabilities in-house because their calibration requirements are very extensive.  In all cases Sensing Systems provides kits to fulfill those needs.

Calibration Kits are used in the following industries:

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Power Generation
  • Automotive
  • Nuclear
  • Construction
  • Steel
  • Marine
  • Medical
  • Physical Therapy

Technical Assistance

Please contact our engineering department to discuss your specific applications.  Our design and manufacturing capabilities allow us to meet customer’s requirements in the most efficient manner.  We will recommend the best solution based on your set of unique and specific requirements.

Contact Us now to discuss your application.