Measurements Gone Wrong: What Real Failures Teach Us About Measurement Risk Most measurement failures don’t start with a dramatic mistake. They start with something ordinary: a unit that isn’t clearly defined, a calibration performed under the wrong conditions, a process step skipped because “it’s always been fine,” or a requirement that no one can clearly […]
Measurement Risk in Business Decisions: The Likelihood and the Consequences of Measurement Risk I’ve worked on this topic for many years and continue to teach, refine, and learn. This article reflects that ongoing process and is intended to clarify what measurement risk is, how it shows up in practice, and why it matters. Measurement risk […]
How to Calibrate Cable Tensiometers: Addressing Error Sources and Promoting Standardization Figure 1: Henry Zumbrun uses a Morehouse Cable Tensiometer Machine (PCM-2MD-T1). How to Calibrate Cable Tensiometers: Introduction Cable tensiometers are precision instruments used to measure cable tension in aerospace, industrial, and structural applications. Accurate calibration of these devices is essential to ensure reliable force […]
TUR and Picking the Right Load Cell Distributor (UPC vs. PC vs. Calibration Cells) The Question That Keeps Coming Up A customer recently asked: “The quote earlier was for Ultra-Precision load cells. Do we need to go for that grade to calibrate devices known to within 0.1 %, or is there an alternate model that […]
Deadweight vs. Hydraulic Force Calibration: Understanding the Difference Selecting between Deadweight vs Hydraulic Force Calibration is one of the most critical decisions in any force calibration laboratory. The choice directly impacts measurement uncertainty, productivity, and compliance with international standards such as ISO 376 and ASTM E74. This document explains how each method realizes force, the […]
Understanding the Normal Distribution The normal distribution, sometimes called the bell curve or Gaussian distribution, is one of the most important concepts in statistics. It describes how values of a variable are spread, and it often appears in nature, science, and everyday life. What is the Normal Distribution? At its core, the normal distribution […]
The Role of the En Ratio in Force Calibration Confidence In the world of calibration, proving that your measurements are both accurate and defensible goes beyond simply watching control charts. While control charts are powerful for spotting drift or unusual trends, they don’t answer a critical question: are our stated measurement capabilities truly valid? To […]
Understanding Risk: Making Better Measurement Decisions Understanding Risk Intro: Why Measurements Aren’t Always Exact Every measurement we take comes with some level of doubt. This doubt is called measurement uncertainty. It’s the range within which the “true value” probably lies. When understanding risk, think of it like reading a ruler: if your eyes […]
Start With the End in Mind: Working Backwards to Size Your Measurement Equipment and Calibration Provider A practical, risk-informed method for selecting equipment, decision rules, and calibration providers Abstract Begin with the decision you must defend—product conformance with acceptable risk—and work backwards to derive the measurement capability required of both your equipment and your […]
