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The Mass Metrology Seminar is a two-week, "hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the trainee performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom. The seminar focuses on the comprehension and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved. The seminar includes the operation of the laboratory equipment, review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements. Training covers mass calibration procedures published in NISTIR 6969 and are suitable for the calibration of mass standards to OIML R111 Class E2 through M3 tolerances, ASTM classes 1 through 7 and NIST HB 105-1 Class F. Training is provided to enable the participant to correctly identify and implement the correct calibration process for each weight classification. The entire seminar incorporates statistical analysis, process measurement control methods, uncertainty analyses and generation of ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration reports for all measurements made during the seminar.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this seminar, using Standard Operating Procedures 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 29, and 30 and Good Measurement Practices 10, 11, 13, and 14, participants will be able to:

  • IDENTIFY mass artifacts and use appropriate procedures to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable mass measurement results.
  • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic to each other and to your managers using the slides and reference materials
  • DEMONSTRATE how these topics fit into an ISO/IEC 17025 management system.
  • IMPLEMENT the mass calibration procedures, use and validate the job aids, and use reference materials to perform laboratory functions and improve operations.
Technology Requirement(s):
  • Participants must provide a notebook computer for the Mass Metrology Seminar and be well trained in the development and use of spreadsheets for complex repetitive calculations.
  • Participants must have access to Microsoft Excel (versions 2003, 2007 or 2010 are acceptable) and be able to open and effectively use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media.
  • Participants must have administrative rights for the computer so that that files can be transferred to and from it as required by the seminar exercises through the use of USB memory sticks. You must also be able to save/store files to USB media devices to facilitate printing.
  • Availability of a scientific calculator (minimum 12 digits) and familiarity with its operation is required.
  • Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems are assigned at the completion of the course to those metrologists who participate in the NIST OWM State Laboratory Program. Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Office of Weights and Measures laboratory Recognition in support of mass calibrations. (See Handbook 143, Program Handbook training requirements http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/pubs/upload/hb143_2007_final.pdf.)
Materials & Supplies:

Participants are encouraged to bring template versions of the mass calibration reports issued by their laboratory as a starting point for the calibration reports to be submitted during the seminar. Feedback and suggested changes to ensure ISO/IEC 17025 compliance will be provided during the seminar. Generation of calibration reports will be required, so come prepared. A number of notebooks and course materials will be provided, so please ensure you have extra luggage space to carry these items. Download the Basic Mass Metrology CD (NIST SP 1001) (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/labmetrology/training.cfm). It is strongly recommended that you complete the material on the CD as it will give you a head start on the Mass Seminar. Completing the CD should take 16 to 40 hours. If you have problems downloading the material, please send Yvonne Branden (Yvonne.branden [at] nist.gov (Yvonne[dot]branden[at]nist[dot]gov)) a request to mail out a copy of the CD.

Prerequisite(s):

Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar is a prerequisite for the Mass Metrology Seminar. The Mass Metrology Seminar is built on the concepts learned during the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar, applying units, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability and Quality Management System concepts to the mass calibration procedures.

Minimum Requirement(s):

To receive a Training Certificate for this course, successful completion requires participants to actively participate in the entire course (e.g., take notes, engage in discussions, ask questions), complete all classroom, homework, and application exercise assignments, and submit a series of calibration reports as evidence of completion of all application exercises conducted during the hands-on portion of class exercises (guidance is provided in the course).

Audience:

This training seminar is open to industry and government metrologists.

Cost:

The current fee for this seminar is $4,200. The registration fee does not cover travel costs. Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

Sponsors

NIST Office of Weights and Measures

Val Miller,
Office of Weights and Measures
(301) 975 - 3603
E-mail: val.miller [at] nist.gov (val[dot]miller[at]nist[dot]gov)

You will need a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver's license) when you check into the Visitors Center at the entrance of NIST on Monday morning. If you will be driving, please bring your Vehicle Registration card also. PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 21, 2014, under the REAL ID Act of 2005 (http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs), agencies, including NIST, can only accept a state-issued driver's license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension. NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver's license, such as a valid passport, passport card, DOD's Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependents ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID. See Visitor Information for the latest information. Transportation The Washington Metrorail (light rail system) is available from National Airport (awkward with much luggage). You must purchase a ticket at the National Airport Metro station for the entire trip. Take the Blue Line from the airport, change to the Red Line at Metro Center station and take the Red Line to the last stop at Shady Grove, then take a cab to the hotel. Taxis are also available at a cost between $50 and $60. You may also rent a car if you so desire. Many of the local hotels have a shuttle to and from NIST. Please verify if your hotel has shuttle service to NIST when making room reservations. Travel from Dulles Airport or Baltimore-Washington-International must be accomplished by car, taxi or shuttle Visitor Information: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/visitor/index.cfm
Created January 5, 2015, Updated June 2, 2021