Calibration and adjustment as a service partner

Accuracy can mean the difference between success and failure in business processes. For this reason, CaTeC invested in recent years in expanding its calibration and adjustment department. With advanced calibration and adjustment technologies complemented by far-reaching experience and expertise, CaTeC offers its customers maximum assurance. Whether it is a matter of ensuring product quality, complying with strict safety standards or optimizing operations.

Traditionally CaTeC has focused on climate sensors, but over the years the company has expanded its focus with new products and services. Still, supporting customers in selecting the right product and implementing the solution is core business. However, the value of the Service Department is growing strongly in the field of calibration and adjustment for various reasons. 

Difference between calibration and adjustment

Very briefly explained, calibration means comparing the measured value of a measuring tool with the actual value measured with a reference measuring tool. Based on these results, it can be determined whether a measuring instrument deviates and if so, by how much. Hans Oosterling is managing director of CaTeC and explains: "When the deviation is too large, we at CaTeC are able to adjust the measuring instrument; in fact, reset it until the deviation of the instrument is within tolerances again. This makes it clear that calibrating instruments alone is not enough to maintain quality. When deviations occur, you must also take measures to bring deviations back within tolerances. We notice that the need for this is growing. Companies want to be sure they are measuring the right value; for their own product quality, but also in the context of safety or, for example, insurance or regulatory requirements."

From one extreme into another

CaTeC works with controlled reference measuring devices and calibrates some four thousand measuring instruments per year according to ISO standards, ranging from humidity and temperature sensors to CO2 sensors, light sensors and air velocity meters. For this, the company has all possible test setups including its own wind tunnel. Oosterling: "Light sensors seem to be the odd one out, but the PAR lamps our customers use in greenhouses, for example, emit so-called 'growing light'. This is light with a very specific wavelength - typically between 400-700 nm - and then of course it is important to be sure that the lamp is actually emitting this light."

CaTeC prefers to perform the calibrations in its own laboratory, under conditioned conditions. But if a customer insists or if it is simply not possible otherwise, calibration on location is also no problem. For example, in the operating rooms of hospitals or special rooms in museums. Here, it is essential that the company has knowledge of all the factors that influence a calibration. Oosterling: "If you are not working under laboratory conditions, for example, you must be well aware of whether the measurement is affected by atmospheric conditions. Sensors using polymers, for example, are sensitive to humidity; this affects capacity and thus calibration. Temperature, in turn, affects relative humidity, which means you have to avoid certain heat sources - such as infrared light - that can interfere with the measurement."

Service on a serving platter

The necessary - or sometimes required - calibration and adjustment processes can also be incorporated into service contracts. Here CaTeC itself keeps track of when it is necessary to perform the new measurement and then organizes this for its customers. Oosterling concludes, "Finally, we are constantly working on improvements; often in cooperation with the manufacturer of the sensors. This only strengthens the power of accuracy. It allows us to completely unburden and support customers in a trouble-free, accurate and safe process."