Meaning
Quality management standards require rigorous control of measurement resources to ensure data integrity during production. Documentation for iatf 16949 section 7.1.5 specifies that all monitoring equipment must be calibrated against traceable international standards. The scope includes any device used to verify that a product meets its technical specifications.
This oversight ends when the device is no longer used for quality-critical measurements.
Calibration Traceability
Equipment must be checked against standards that are linked back to national or international benchmarks. Under iatf 16949 section 7.1.5, the facility must maintain records of these calibrations and any adjustments made. This history proves that the measurements taken on the production line are valid.
Measurement System
Analysis of the variation in the testing process determines if the equipment is fit for its intended use. Applying iatf 16949 section 7.1.5 involves conducting gauge repeatability and reproducibility studies. These tests show how much of the measured variation comes from the tool and how much comes from the operator.
The resulting score must fall within the allowed percentage for the process to be considered capable.
Audit Evidence
Inspectors look for clear labeling and tamper-proof seals on all measuring devices during a site visit. Documentation for iatf 16949 section 7.1.5 must be available to show that any equipment found to be out of calibration was handled correctly. This process protects the integrity of the finished goods.