1. Understand the Inspection Tool: Before calibrating an inspection tool, it is important to understand its design and operating principles. This knowledge will help you identify potential issues, as well as help determine the appropriate calibration procedure.
2. Use Standards: Standards are essential for the calibration of inspection tools. They provide a known reference and allow you to determine the accuracy and precision of your measurements. It is important to use standards that are traceable to national or international standards.
3. Regular Calibration: Inspection tools should be calibrated at regular intervals to ensure that they are operating within their specified tolerance limits. The frequency of calibration depends on the type of tool, the environment in which it is used, and the level of accuracy required.
4. Document Calibration Results: It is important to document the calibration results, including the date, the person performing the calibration, the standard(s) used, and the results.
5. Consider Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration can affect the performance of inspection tools. It is important to consider these factors when calibrating or using the tools, and to correct for any potential errors caused by environmental factors.
6. Train the Users: Regular training of the user of the tool is important to ensure that they are using the tool correctly, and that they understand how to interpret and use the measurement results.Use
7. Quality Control Procedures: Quality control procedures such as statistical process control (SPC) can be used to monitor the performance of inspection tools over time and to identify any trends or patterns that may indicate the need for repair or replacement.

 
Proper calibration of inspection tools is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurement results. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your inspection tools are operating within their specified tolerance limits and that the measurements taken are accurate and repeatable.
​
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help streamline your calibration process, please  contact us today to discuss your requirements. 

Our InterLink™ platform is designed to manage API Spec Q1 standard and related reporting requirements.  It provides a formalized framework to document processes, procedures, and responsibilities for accomplishing quality policies and objectives. In addition, it aids in the coordination and direction of activities while continually improving effectiveness and efficiency.
 
The Advantages of the InterLink Quality Management System

• Bridging the Organization - One of the most important functions of the InterLink system is to connect the many divisions within a business. Using a paper based QMS regularly results in lost paper trails, difficult documentation, and an overall lack of quality of communication. All of these issues become non-existent with InterLink.  Our web-based quality management software promotes simple communication chains and automatically creates robust paper trails.

• Improving and Advancing Data Management - The use of the InterLink system enables real-time management of all collected data. Companies are required to preserve data records to fulfill industry standards and customer requirements. 

• Expediting Accessibility - Working with a paper-based quality system has the drawback of limited storage and access, which frequently gets violated due to the lack of a recorded record of modifications done and by whom. InterLink makes it simple to retrieve records from anywhere, as long as the person has an internet connection and the applicable access permissions.  Storage is a non-issue, because all documentation and records reside in the cloud.

 
To learn more about the Accupoint API Spec Q1 Quality Management Solution, or to schedule a demo, please contact us today. 

In June 2018, API released Q1, 9th Edition, Addendum 2.  Addendum 2 focused on supply chain controls, specifically on multi-tier suppliers.  It expanded the definitions to included associated (tier 2 & 3) level suppliers essential for product realization.

The long-awaited 10th edition update is currently being finalized, and is expected to be released in the coming months.  The new edition will contain some significant changes and will require companies to review their current programs for conformity.  Additionally, the new requirments  will impact existing API Product specifications as well.

Accupoint Software’s InterLink platform provides users with an innovate, web-based tool to manage all aspects of the new API Q1 requirements. With over 54 integrated modules, our InterLink framework delivers a well-structured and formalized method to minimize risks, improve operational efficiency and meet customer requirements for product quality. 
​
For more information, or to schedule a platform demonstration of our Interlink API Q1 software, please contact us today.

Many service supply organizations are using internal audits as a method to improve operations and impact their bottom line.  In addition to being required by API Spec Q2, an effective audit program will highlight potential problems areas, identify failure points, and determine the effectiveness of controls. 
 
Internal auditing provides the mechanism that organizations use to examine business processes and evaluate compliance with both internal and external requirements. Successful auditing incorporates best practices and other tools to provide maximum impact. To that end, we have outlined five useful tips to help advance your next internal quality audit.
 
1.  Strong Attention to Detail
It is important for internal auditors to note and document evidence throughout the auditing process. These notes are used later to analyze events and reconstruct specific situations. This does not mean that auditors should focus on tiny, unimportant details through nit-picking, but rather components that are a part of a bigger issue that can be addressed.
 
2.  Friendly Attitude
Stress levels are already high when employees are dealing with an audit. If an internal auditor is aggressive, hostile, or difficult to deal with, employers often minimally engage and will not share as much. If an internal auditor presents with a friendly attitude and is open, they will be more likely to get feedback. The last thing an auditor wants to do is put an employee on the defensive or make them feel ill at ease.
 
3.  Reporting Supported by Checklists
Internal auditors use checklists to balance reporting and should ensure that they are clean and support numerical values and ratings. These checklists enable companies to report on growth as well as challenges that exist across various departments. These reports are essential and allow businesses to assess whether their improvement efforts are working, and what training is needed to reach their goals.
 
4.  Generation of Auditing Teams
Internal auditing teams can be very successful, especially with all the documentation that goes into completing an audit the right way. While a single auditor would be responsible for actively listening while documenting their findings, a team can allocate responsibilities to various areas such as recording, listening, and documenting. This way, all team members can collaborate to ensure no information is overlooked.
 
5.  Looking at the Whole Picture
When an internal audit is taking place, the auditor or team should be able to look at the picture as a whole, incorporating current situations as well as past audit results. Focus should take place on past issues to determine whether they have been corrected and closed before reassessments take place in the same area. This is a delicate balance that will prove most effective and time efficient.
 
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help streamline your internal auditing program, please contact us today.