Service Schlund International

A measurement section can appear to be in excellent condition and still exhibit irregularities during the calibration process. Pipework looks clean. Components show no obvious signs of wear or damage. Initial measurement results fall within the expected range. For this very reason, the first assumption is often that the problem originates where the deviation becomes visible. In reality, however, the root cause is not always located there.

read more

At first glance, two identical calibration systems often appear virtually the same. The same components. The same basic design. Comparable measuring ranges. Yet, practical operation repeatedly shows that two seemingly identical systems can behave differently under identical conditions. This is often where the real technical analysis begins.

read more

A water meter may be tested at multiple flow rates and still exhibit unexpected behavior only within a specific operating range. Situations like these are among the more interesting observations encountered in calibration facility operations. The meter functions. The measurement proceeds as expected. At first glance, the results appear entirely plausible. Only a closer examination reveals that the irregularity is linked to a particular operating condition.

read more

A critically operated nozzle is not concerned with how much vacuum was available yesterday. It responds only to the conditions that exist at this very moment. As long as the required operating conditions are maintained, the system remains in the background. For that reason, changes are often noticed only when their effects become visible elsewhere in the facility.

read more

On a drawing, flow usually behaves logically. In a real system, however, it has no interest in drawings or expectations. It follows only the laws of physics. Drawings may be correct. Documentation may be complete. Operating procedures may be entirely understandable. Yet a measurement section sometimes behaves differently than expected. This is precisely the point at which a simple insight becomes valuable: flow cannot read.

read more

At first glance, air appears rather unremarkable. Precisely for that reason, it is easy to overlook the fact that its properties can change continuously during operation. Especially in air-operated test facilities, it is sometimes worthwhile to take a closer look at an influence factor that remains invisible: air density.

read more

Most measurements focus on stable operating conditions. The truly interesting events often occur in the seconds between them. It is precisely during these moments that pressure changes can arise which are no longer visible in the final measurement result. Particularly noteworthy are phenomena that occur only briefly and can easily go unnoticed during normal operation. Among these are pressure surge phenomena within the measurement section.

read more

Almost every older calibration system contains areas that seem unusual at first glance. Additional piping, modified wiring, special operating procedures, or components installed in locations where they would not be expected according to the original design. In many cases, these modifications are the result of engineering decisions or solutions to problems encountered years ago, although the original reasoning has long since been forgotten. The first question is often: Why was it designed this way?

read more

Not every irregularity deserves immediate attention. Some disappear on their own. Others become the real problem months later. The challenge lies in recognizing the difference in time. A message appears occasionally. An operating condition seems different from what is normally expected. The system continues to operate. Measurement results are produced. Operations continue. This is precisely why one of the most difficult questions arises: Does action need to be taken or not?

read more

In my work with calibration systems, I repeatedly encounter a situation that initially appears positive. An irregularity occurs. An error message appears. A testing process behaves unusually. Yet before the actual analysis begins, the system suddenly returns to normal operation. The fault seems to have disappeared.

read more

In many facilities, a plant shutdown is regarded as a critical event. Understandably so. Production, testing procedures, and operational processes are interrupted. Attention immediately shifts to restoring normal operations. From my perspective, however, the real challenge often begins much earlier.

read more

In many technical fields, manufacturer independence is often described as a characteristic of a service provider. From my perspective, however, its true significance only becomes apparent in the practical operation of a system. As long as a technical question is straightforward, there are often several paths that lead to the desired result. Things become more interesting when technical relationships grow more complex and the answer is not already known before the analysis even begins.

read more

When an irregularity occurs in a calibration system, it is entirely understandable to look for a quick technical solution. Measuring instruments are prepared, components are inspected, and potential sources of error are narrowed down. All of this is part of a professional analysis. Nevertheless, in my experience, successful troubleshooting often begins much earlier.

read more

In my work with calibration systems, I regularly encounter a statement that appears entirely logical at first: “The fault only appeared after the modification.” The close timing between a change and an abnormality understandably leads to assumptions. Whatever was changed most recently automatically becomes the focus of attention. In practice, however, it repeatedly becomes clear that temporal proximity and the actual root cause are not necessarily the same thing.

read more

As long as a calibration system operates without issues, manufacturer independence is of little concern to most operators. The system runs. Tests are performed. Processes function as expected. It is only when unusual questions or technical challenges arise that the true value of technical independence becomes apparent.

read more

In the world of calibration systems, the reference is typically granted a special level of trust. It forms the foundation for comparisons, evaluations, and measurement results. For this reason, when irregularities occur, attention is often directed first toward the device under test. The reference is generally regarded as the stable point of comparison. But what happens when that very point of reference begins to raise questions?

read more

In my daily work with calibration systems, I repeatedly observe the same sequence of events. A fault occurs. The system reports an error. A test sequence is interrupted. A warning appears on the screen. Understandably, attention is immediately directed toward the visible event. Yet this is often precisely the point at which the real troubleshooting process begins.

read more

In my work with calibration systems, I repeatedly encounter a statement that appears harmless at first glance. In reality, it is one of the most interesting phrases in the entire field of plant operation: “It has always worked.”

read more

In water meter test facilities, differential pressure monitoring is one of those functions that usually receives little attention during normal operation. As long as the system runs without issues, it remains in the background. When the monitoring system is triggered, however, attention is often directed immediately toward the affected test specimen or the most recent action that was performed. In practice, it frequently becomes apparent that the actual cause may lie much deeper within the system.

read more

In my day-to-day work with calibration systems, I regularly encounter messages, warnings and error entries within test bench software. Many of them are straightforward. Communication has been interrupted, a signal is missing, or a limit value has been exceeded. The more challenging cases are those where the message itself appears technically correct, while the actual cause lies somewhere entirely different within the system.

read more

In modern calibration facilities, it is easy to assume that the condition of a system can be fully understood by looking at a screen. Values are displayed. Calculations are performed. Measurement series are stored. The software appears to operate flawlessly. Precisely because of this, it is sometimes overlooked that there can be a significant difference between a correct calculation process and a properly functioning hydraulic system.

read more

In my work with calibration systems, attention is often focused on pressure, flow rates, and measurement results. Far less attention is given to the potential effects of temperature changes within a measuring section. Precisely because these changes often occur unnoticed, they can easily be underestimated in day-to-day operations.

read more

In my day-to-day work with calibration systems, I repeatedly encounter situations where there is no obvious malfunction, yet something is no longer quite the way it used to be. The system is operating. The tests are running. The measurement results initially appear plausible. Nevertheless, there are times when it feels as though the system has gradually changed over time.

read more

In the operation of calibration systems, attention is often focused on individual deviations. Much more difficult to recognize are developments that emerge gradually over extended periods of time. It becomes particularly interesting when measurement results do not change abruptly but instead drift slowly and continuously in a negative direction. The system continues to operate. Testing continues. Yet the overall picture changes step by step.

read more

Not every change in a calibration system occurs suddenly. Many developments begin gradually. The system continues to operate. Testing continues. Results initially remain within acceptable limits. Nevertheless, there are occasions when measurement values appear to move slowly in one direction over an extended period of time. It becomes particularly interesting when measurement results show a gradual upward trend over the course of months.

read more

Technical systems possess a characteristic that is becoming increasingly noticeable in today's marketplace. They do not distinguish between familiar names, new names, or changed names. A calibration system does not care about the corporate structure behind it. It responds exclusively to technical conditions and to the people who work with it.

read more

When international service assignments are discussed, distance is often the first aspect that comes to mind. Flight times, national borders, hotels, rental cars, and travel logistics may initially appear to be the greatest challenges. In practice, however, a different picture often emerges. The real challenge rarely begins with the journey. It usually begins at the system itself.

read more

A calibration system does not care which company name appears on a letterhead. It has no interest in organizational charts, ownership changes, or market developments. The system responds exclusively to technical conditions. Pressure remains pressure. Flow remains flow. A leak remains a leak. The laws of physics do not change because of a new corporate structure.

read more

In water meter testing, attention is often focused on the water meter itself. This is understandable, as it is the actual measuring instrument within the legal metrology framework. At the same time, however, there is a risk of overlooking an important relationship. The quality of a test does not depend solely on the water meter. It depends equally on the test facility on which the test is performed.

read more

In the field of water meter testing, discussions often focus on test facilities, testing procedures, and measurement results. Far less attention is given to one of the fundamental prerequisites of many testing methods: the precise determination of a known volume. This is precisely where volumetric standard measures have played a central role for many years.

read more

When discussing calibration systems, attention is often focused on measurement values, flow rates, and test results. Far less frequently discussed is a prerequisite that underlies all of these topics: the leak tightness of the system. This is precisely the area addressed by PTB Volume 29, which examines a subject that may appear routine in day-to-day operation but is of fundamental technical importance.

read more

In the world of calibration systems, technical standards, reference publications, and established procedures provide an essential foundation for reproducible results. They create comparability, define requirements, and offer guidance to operators. At the same time, the practical operation of existing systems demonstrates that there can be a considerable difference between a documented procedure and its long-term implementation in everyday plant operation.

read more

Documentation is one of the most important foundations for the operation of a calibration system. Electrical diagrams, pneumatic schematics, bills of materials, and technical documentation provide orientation and support maintenance, troubleshooting, and servicing activities. At the same time, practical experience shows that many systems are expanded, modified, or adapted to operational requirements over the course of years. With every change, the risk increases that the documentation and the actual condition of the system no longer fully correspond.

read more

In many calibration systems, attention is understandably focused on pressure, flow rates, and measurement results. Far less frequently considered is the role that vacuum plays in ensuring stable system operation. Particularly in systems that utilize critically operated nozzles, the quality of the generated vacuum can have a significant impact on the behavior of the entire system.

read more

In day-to-day operations, it is easy to assume that a calibration system is in good condition as long as it performs its intended function. Measurements are carried out. Processes run smoothly. The system remains operational. From an operational perspective, this is certainly a positive sign. In practice, however, there is often a significant difference between “operating” and “being in good condition.”

read more

Many operators associate technical problems with the moment a system stops operating. In practice, however, the actual story often begins much earlier. Unusual noises, changes in operating times, minor leaks, recurring messages, or gradual changes in system behavior are frequently observed over extended periods without immediately resulting in a malfunction.

read more

Understandably, many operators focus on spare parts, maintenance schedules, and technical components. These issues are visible and can be planned for. However, another factor is much more difficult to assess: knowledge of the system itself. As a calibration system ages, not only does its technical history grow, but so does the number of custom modifications, upgrades, and operational quirks. Some of this information is documented. Other aspects exist solely in the experience of the people who have worked with the system over the years.

read more

For many operators, calibration systems are long-term investments. They are built, expanded, maintained, and adapted to operational requirements over the course of many years. While markets may change, the technical responsibility for existing systems remains. A system doesn’t care about corporate structures, ownership arrangements, or market fluctuations. At the end of the day, it simply has to work.

read more