Periodic calibration is not a formality: it is what makes a measurement defensible before an auditor or a client. RODER SRL performs it in its own laboratory in Italy or at the manufacturer, with a NIST-traceable certificate.
- ✓ Certificate traceable to NIST and compliant with MIL-STD-45662A
- ✓ RODER laboratory in Italy for most instruments
- ✓ Manufacturer Dakota NDT (UK) for specialist instruments
- ✓ Valid for ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS 9100 quality systems
- ✓ Service also available for instruments purchased elsewhere
- ✓ Reference standard: EN 15317
An ultrasonic thickness gauge does not fail in an obvious way. It keeps showing numbers even when it has lost its accuracy: drift of the timing electronics, wear of the probe and wear of the contact surface act gradually, and no warning light comes on. The risk is not that the instrument stops working, but that it keeps working badly without anyone noticing.
Periodic calibration is the only way to close this uncertainty, and it is also what quality systems require: EN 15317 imposes instrument verification at regular intervals, and the sector standards — API 570, API 653, ASME PCC-1 — refer explicitly to the current calibration of the inspection instrument. Without a valid certificate, a measurement campaign can be challenged after the fact.
Need help choosing the right product?
As the official Dakota NDT distributor, we manage the service in both directions: what can be done in our laboratory is carried out in-house, with short lead times; what requires the manufacturer’s reference equipment is sent to the UK. At acceptance we always tell you which of the two routes your instrument will follow.
Where your instrument is calibrated
| Location | Instruments | Lead times |
|---|---|---|
| RODER laboratory, Italy | most thickness gauges and standard probes | short |
| Manufacturer Dakota NDT, UK | specialist instruments: CMX10-DL, BT1/BT2 bolt tension monitors, FX70/FX81 flaw detectors in advanced configurations | longer, dependent on international logistics |
What the certificate includes
At the end of the service a NIST-traceable calibration certificate (National Institute of Standards and Technology) compliant with MIL-STD-45662A is issued.
- Conformity document valid in company quality systems
- Accepted in third-party inspection audits
- Reference to the metrological traceability chain
- Issued both for calibration in Italy and for that performed in the UK
Instrument calibration does not replace field adjustment on a reference block, which remains the operator’s responsibility at the start of each campaign.
How often to calibrate
There is no single interval valid for everyone. The manufacturer’s generic recommendation is annual, but the correct interval depends on three factors:
| Factor | Effect on the interval |
|---|---|
| Company quality system | It is the primary reference: many companies set the interval in their own quality manual |
| Sector of use | Nuclear and certified aerospace generally require shorter intervals |
| Intensity of use | For occasional use, longer intervals may be acceptable |
When in doubt, the reference to follow is what EN 15317 prescribes together with the client’s quality system. If your auditor has specific requirements, write to us: we will check compatibility together.
How to request the service
- Report the instrument, stating model and serial number
- You will receive information on where it will be calibrated and the expected lead times
- The instrument is shipped or delivered to our laboratory
- At the end, return with certificate attached
The service is also available for Dakota instruments purchased through other official channels. We do not, however, cover instruments of unofficial or parallel origin.
Further reading
- NDT standards for thickness measurement: EN 14127, ASTM E797 and EN 15317
- 1-point vs 2-point calibration: differences and when to use them
- API 570 and API 653: instrumentation requirements
- Calibration blocks for ultrasonic thickness gauges
Frequently asked questions
The interval depends on the company quality system and on the sector of use. Dakota NDT’s generic recommendation is annual recalibration, but some sectors require shorter intervals while for occasional use longer intervals may be acceptable. EN 15317 and the client’s quality system are the references to follow.
The certificate issued is NIST-traceable and compliant with MIL-STD-45662A, recognised in company quality systems based on ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS 9100 and in the main sector standards. In case of specific doubts from your auditor, contact us with the applicable requirements and we will check compatibility.
Yes. The service is also available for Dakota instruments purchased through other official channels. We do not, however, guarantee service on instruments of unofficial or parallel origin.
No. They are two different things. Periodic calibration certifies the instrument and its metrological traceability; adjustment on a reference block must still be performed by the operator before the measurement campaign, to adapt the instrument to the material and the probe in use.
To request a calibration, contact us stating the model and serial number of the instrument.
Further information and contacts
Systems division and sensor integration partner : www.roder.it
More information about RODER SRL : about us
Contact for general information : info@roder.it
Contact for information about these products : info@roder.it
The information contained on this web page is provided for information purposes only. Although it has been compiled with the utmost care, it does not constitute a contractual offer or a binding commitment to supply. It may contain transcription, translation or typographical errors. For precise and up-to-date information, please contact our company directly.
Some images on this website have been intentionally generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is because, for many applications and projects, it is not possible to disclose photographs of the installation or of the actual system due to confidentiality agreements, confidentiality clauses and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).