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What are the most important skills and service do you look for when choosing a company to install, support and calibrate measurement systems used in industry?

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When selecting a company to install, support, and calibrate measurement systems used in industry, several key skills and services are crucial. These elements ensure that the measurement systems are accurate, reliable, and compliant with industry standards. Here are the items you should look for:

1. Technical Expertise and Certification

  • Technical Proficiency: The company should have in-depth knowledge and experience with the specific types of measurement systems you use (e.g., Optical, Tactile).
  • Certifications: Look for technical standards that control calibration methods, uncertainties and protocols, ISO/IEC/UKAS 17025 covers dimensional metrology laboratories. Under that lab umbrella sit specific schedules, ISO10360-7 covers optical CMM’s for example.
  • Trained Personnel: Technicians and engineers should be approved UKAS operators, certified and trained in the latest technologies and methods for installation, support, and calibration.

2. Calibration Capabilities

  • Traceability: Calibration should be traceable to national or international standards, ensuring the highest level of accuracy.
  • Measurement Uncertainty: Check that the uncertainty quoted for the calibration aligns to your equipment specification and Geometric Product Specifications, it should ideally all be underpinned with an MSA (Measurement System Analysis)
  • Calibration Range: The company should be able to calibrate across the range of your system’s capabilities, whether it’s for dimensional measurement, surface measurement or 3D measurement
  • On-Site Calibration: The ability to perform on-site calibration reduces downtime and ensures systems are calibrated under actual operating conditions.

3. Installation Services

  • Comprehensive Installation: The company should offer end-to-end installation services, including stand-alone instruments, solution design, integration with existing infrastructure, and commissioning.
  • Customization: Ability to customize the installation process according to specific requirements, environmental conditions, and regulatory compliance.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure the company follows all relevant safety standards and regulations during installation. Accreditation to the “Safe Contractor” standard provides confidence and is externally audited.

4. Support and Maintenance

  • Ongoing Support: Look for a company that offers comprehensive after-installation support, including troubleshooting, repairs, and system upgrades.
  • Maintenance Services: Regular maintenance services to ensure the measurement systems operate within specified tolerances and are free from drift.

5. Reputation and Experience

  • Industry Experience: The company should have a proven track record in your industry, with references or case studies that demonstrate their expertise.
  • Customer Testimonials: Positive feedback from other clients can be a good indicator of the company’s reliability and service quality.
  • Longevity: Companies with a long history of operation are often more stable and reliable.

6. Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge

  • Regulatory Expertise: The company should be well-versed in the regulations and standards relevant to your industry, ensuring that your systems remain compliant.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Proper documentation, such as calibration certificates and compliance reports, should be provided as part of their service. Look for the UKAS or globally recognised logo.

7. Customer Service and Responsiveness

  • Communication: Clear and proactive communication is key, especially for scheduling, updates, and responding to issues.
  • Responsiveness: Quick response times for support requests or emergencies, minimizing downtime and operational disruptions.

8. Technological Innovation

  • Use of Latest Tools: The company should utilize modern tools and techniques for calibration and installation, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
  • Adaptability: The ability to adopt new technologies and methods as the industry evolves.

9. Cost and Value

  • Transparent Pricing: Clear and upfront pricing with no hidden costs.
  • Value for Money: The company should offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality or service.

10. Environmental and Sustainability Practices

  • Sustainability Initiatives: If relevant to your company’s values, consider a company’s commitment to environmental practices, such as reducing waste during installation or using eco-friendly materials.

Optimax Imaging and Inspection offer Service and Calibration, Repair and Refurbishment, Contract Inspection, and Training to exacting standards. We are a UKAS and Safe Contractor approved lab, both standards are independently externally audited. Our engineers are trained to factory standards and are approved UKAS operators. We offer very competitive rates for our team of engineers.

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