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 […]
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 […]
Force Calibration Simplified: Expected Performance in Load Cell Calibration Procedures Expected performance in load cell calibration procedures is a key concept that we have adopted at Morehouse. The term likely originated from discussions during ASTM committee meetings among industry experts. Expected performance helps define how accurately a force-measuring tool works when tested under ideal laboratory […]
How to Calculate Load Cell Specific Risk Step-by-Step Instructions Many people struggle with decision rules and how to calculate risk. This article provides step-by-step instructions to calculate Measurement Uncertainty, Guard Band Acceptance Limits, and Probability of False Acceptance (PFA). Load Cell Specific Risk Example Calculation: To Calculate PFA, the Excel function is NORM.DIST. Risk upper […]
Videos on How to Correct Load Cell Measurement Errors Are you struggling with load cell calibration? Are you making critical errors? You are not alone! But worry no more because we have a treasure trove of video resources to help you conquer load cell measurement errors, calibration challenges and achieve accurate force measurements. Browse our […]
6 Things Everyone Should Know About NIST Traceable Force Measurements Many organizations with people in them still use outdated terminology. Such terminology uses the term NIST traceable force measurements or requests that calibration be NIST traceable. In measurement standards, the term "traceability" often invokes thoughts of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), […]
Guarded rejection: 1 Valuable Tool for Reducing the Risk of False Rejection When assessing the conformity of a product or service to a specified requirement, it is crucial to have a high degree of confidence in the decision. This is especially true when the consequences of a false rejection or false acceptance are high. Guarded […]
A Simplified Global and Specific Risk Example A company has hired us to measure the speed of cars on a stretch of a single-lane road. The customer wants options using both Global and Specific Risk examples as they are unsure what method will give them what they need to meet the specification as they know […]
Understanding Global Risk in Simple Terms In the world of engineering and product design, there's a concept that Henry Petroski discusses in his book, "To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design." He suggests that engineers and companies might become complacent when things are going well. They might not take the necessary […]
