Ten Things to Consider when Buying Measuring Equipment for Quality Assurance

In today's fiercely competitive marketplace, manufacturers are increasingly seeking ways to maximize efficiency and profitability, especially in industries with slim profit margins like food production, pulp and paper, chemicals, or packaging.

When searching for measurement tools to maintain process tolerances, it’s often a challenge to identify the ideal instrument. Many have faced frustrations with previous measurement devices that failed to meet their needs or deliver reliable results.

Reducing throughput, escalating costs, or generating excess waste are not desirable outcomes when measuring product quality. Before becoming overwhelmed in your search, consider these 10 essential tips for choosing the right measurement instrument tailored to your requirements.

1. You must always know what you are measuring

• Clearly define the parameters you need to measure.

• Ask yourself key questions like: Are you measuring line speed, product pH, thickness, or moisture content?

• A specialized measurement device typically outperforms multi-purpose instruments in both speed and accuracy.

2. Always compare the speed of the test to the speed of your line

• Confirm that your maximum line speed is within the capabilities of your chosen instrument’s testing duration.

• If the test durations are too close, you may need to adjust production speed to allow the device enough time for accurate results.

3. Check the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)

• You might think you’ve found the ideal measurement instrument.

• However, if the instrument doesn’t withstand regular use, you'll frequently face production downtime.

4. Understand the preventive maintenance schedule

• Your measuring device should ideally require maintenance as infrequently as the rest of your equipment, but whatever the frequency, follow the maintenance schedule diligently.

• This adherence can lead to more accurate results and reduce the risk of unexpected outages.

5. Price out all consumables required

• Be fully aware of the costs associated with every consumable item during production.

• Sometimes an initially inexpensive instrument may not truly save you money in the long run.

  Goto TNMA to know more.

6. Get maintenance and integration costs in writing

• If you intend to integrate measurement devices within your production line, ensure you obtain written estimates for all associated costs.

• Clarify if the vendor provides warranty services that require device returns to the manufacturer or if they send a technician on-site for repairs.

• This can significantly affect the downtime of your instruments.

7. Look for real-time alerts

• Ensure your measuring equipment not only performs accurate measurements but also notifies you of any issues. Ideally, notifications should be available via text or through a monitoring console.

8. Ensure tolerances of the device match or exceed your own

• A measurement device that cannot meet your specifications is simply not worth the investment.

9. Know the location of important spare parts

• When equipment malfunctions, prompt restoration is crucial. The availability of essential repair components from the manufacturer can determine how quickly that happens.

• If certain parts are delicate or have long lead times, it may be wise to keep spares on hand unless the manufacturer ensures quick replacements.

10. Map out alerts and secure written assurances that the device meets your specifications

• Create a comprehensive list of required metrics and alerts, and secure commitments that the device can meet those demands.

• It’s also beneficial to corroborate this information through references and the manufacturer's specifications.

Having explored these ten crucial considerations, you should now be better equipped to make an informed decision when procuring measuring equipment for quality assurance. At Plastmost Entremise, we offer high-quality measurement tools with reliable tolerances, ensuring satisfaction with your selection process.