How do I use traceability in GAGEtrak?

Traceability is a key consideration in the design and function of GAGEtrak. All gages must be traceable to a NIST standard. To that end, GAGEtrak considers two classifications of gages. One is a reference gage, frequently called a standard. This is a gage used to verify working gages, such as gage blocks and pin gages. The second classification is a non-reference gage which is a working gage used on the floor to verify product, such as calipers and micrometers.

Reference gages are frequently sent out to a calibration service to be verified. When they are returned, they are accompanied by a Certification of Calibration, which will include the NIST number of the working master gage used to verify your reference gage. Non-reference gages are usually verified in-house. The reference gages are used to perform this verification. GAGEtrak provides a path to track the working gage back to the working master gage used to verify your standard gage. For GAGEtrak to provide traceability, the reference (standard) gages must be entered into the system correctly. The following fields in Gage Entry play a key role when setting up a reference gage for verifying non-reference gages:

1. Gage ID - This is a required field which must contain a unique value.
2. Status - A reference gage must be 1-Active or it cannot be used for verifying.
3. The Ref. Standard checkbox must be checked.
4. The NIST No. field should have the number from the Certification of Calibration.
5. Type - This is a key field for automating the traceability activity. Example: All gage blocks or gage block sets might be listed as Gage Blocks; likewise, Pin Gages, etc.
6. On the calibration Schedule tab, the reference gage must have a Calibration Frequency and be in calibration.

The non-reference (working gage) gages must have the following fields:

1. Gage ID - This is a required field which must contain a unique value.
2. Status - A reference gage must be 1-Active or it cannot be used for verifying.
3. On the calibration Schedule tab, the gage should have a Calibration Frequency and Last Cal Date if it is active.

Once gages in the above classifications are entered into GAGEtrak, we can set up measurement requirements, called Standard IDs, for validation of non-reference gages. Of course, the reference gage must be a gage you would use to verify the non-reference gage.

Standard IDs appear in three locations within GAGEtrak: Gage Entry -> Standards, Calibration -> Calibration Measurements and Standard Groups. The Standards sub-tabs in these locations are similar, but the Standards sub-tab in Calibration -> Calibration Measurement contains fields for entering measurements, making it somewhat unique.

The Standards sub-tabs are where the traceability link is established.

The fields which establish the links will be addressed below. Understand that we are skipping several fields to focus on linking a non-reference gage to a reference gage. Since the reference gage has a traceable NIST number, the non-reference or working gage has a traceable link to the master gages at NIST. The Standard IDs will be created as data for the non-reference gage.

1. Standard ID -This is a required field that uniquely identifies the measurement. Numbering works well (as 01, 02, etc.)
2. Ref Type - We skipped several important fields, so we can remain focused on traceability. This field has a drop-down list of gage Types. The list is populated by the Gage Entry Type field, filtered by whether a gage is checked as a Reference gage. In other words, your gage blocks would show up in the list because you have checked them as Reference gages, listing their Type as Gage Block. Calipers will not show up here because they are non-reference, working gages.
3. Gage ID of Standard - Refers to the Gage ID of the reference gage you will use to verify the non-reference gage. As a convenience, only gages of the type you selected in the Ref Type field will appear in this drop-down list. That means, if you have 10 gage blocks listed as reference gages and typed as Gage Block, only those Gage IDs will appear in the drop down list.

See a Standard Traceability Report

As an additional note, for a reference gage to be available anywhere in GAGEtrak, it must be Active and in calibration.