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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Testing and Quality

Calibration

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/ˌkælɪˈbreɪʃən/nounCommon term

In mechanical engineering, calibration means: Comparing a measuring instrument with a more accurate reference and adjusting or correcting it when needed, so that its readings can be trusted.

In Turkish: kalibrasyon, ayar

How it is used

Used in quality systems, labs and maintenance. Instruments such as calipers, gauges, torque wrenches and sensors need regular calibration; each gets a calibration certificate and a due date. Results must be traceable to national standards. The verb is calibrate.

Example sentences

  1. This torque wrench is out of calibration, so don't use it until it comes back from the lab.

  2. The auditor asked to see the calibration records for all the measuring tools.

Common collocations

  • calibration certificate
  • calibration due date
  • out of calibration
  • calibration lab
  • calibration interval
  • caliperA hand measuring tool with two jaws that measures outside and inside sizes and depths, usually to 0.01 or 0.02 mm. It can be vernier, dial or digital.
  • micrometerA precision measuring tool with a calibrated screw that measures small sizes such as diameters and thicknesses, usually to 0.01 mm or 0.001 mm.
  • inspectionChecking a part, product or machine against a drawing, specification or standard by looking at it, measuring it or testing it.
  • test rigA setup of equipment, sensors and fixtures built to test a part, machine or system under controlled conditions, often in long durability or performance tests.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Testing and Quality

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