What is the value of moving forward with ISO 9000/2000 certification as long as I am certified ISO/IEC-17025? Our company is a metrology/calibration lab and distributor.
Your issue is actually much more complex than it appears to be on the surface.
A steel belt may be the easiest "standard" to acquire and maintain. A good high-end machine shop should be able to manufacture a couple for you, with measurements at nominal.
Now, the tricky parts. The tolerance is tight. The belt, being metal will need to be joined somehow. And the air pressure is the most visible indicator to the operator of whether you are in spec or not.
Have the belt manufactured. Get a couple manufactured. I recommend having an accredited calibration lab (accredited for length) measure and verify the belt(s). This then makes them a check standard for you. Make sure the lab gives a certificate that includes the accreditation body logo.
Put the belts on a frequent check/maintenance cycle. The belts will have to have the ends fastened to each other, and if welded, the constant motion of using them as a check standard can weaken or break the weld. A mechanical fastener then is logical, but they work loose. So stay on top of that.
The other piece is the air control. I recommend having an accredited lab (accredited for pressure) calibrate the air gages.
Then the operator can verify that a specified air pressue makes a specified belt tight. That gives confidence in the system.
Also, I recommend keeping track of the system will elementary SPC protocols. Nothing fancy, just when/who does checks, readings and results. Excel can easily do the rest. This allows monitoring for trend analysis, and makes a good note for management review.
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hershal 10/17/2002
Your issue is actually much more complex than it appears to be on the surface.
A steel belt may be the easiest "standard" to acquire and maintain. A good high-end machine shop should be able to manufacture a couple for you, with measurements at nominal.
Now, the tricky parts. The tolerance is tight. The belt, being metal will need to be joined somehow. And the air pressure is the most visible indicator to the operator of whether you are in spec or not.
Have the belt manufactured. Get a couple manufactured. I recommend having an accredited calibration lab (accredited for length) measure and verify the belt(s). This then makes them a check standard for you. Make sure the lab gives a certificate that includes the accreditation body logo.
Put the belts on a frequent check/maintenance cycle. The belts will have to have the ends fastened to each other, and if welded, the constant motion of using them as a check standard can weaken or break the weld. A mechanical fastener then is logical, but they work loose. So stay on top of that.
The other piece is the air control. I recommend having an accredited lab (accredited for pressure) calibrate the air gages.
Then the operator can verify that a specified air pressue makes a specified belt tight. That gives confidence in the system.
Also, I recommend keeping track of the system will elementary SPC protocols. Nothing fancy, just when/who does checks, readings and results. Excel can easily do the rest. This allows monitoring for trend analysis, and makes a good note for management review.
Hope this helps.
Hershal