Advanced Mass Seminar

The 9 day, hands-on seminar focuses on the comprehension and application of the advanced mass procedures, the equations, and associated calculations. It includes the operation of the laboratory equipment, review of documentary references, reference standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements. Training covers mass calibration documentation published in NISTIR 6969, NISTIR 5672, NIST Technical Note 952, and NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/, (2014-11-25) for the calibration of precision mass standards to OIML R111 and ASTM E617. This seminar incorporates approximately 50 percent lectures with topic-related discussion and 50 percent laboratory work in which the participant performs measurements by selecting and applying correct procedures, equations, and calculations discussed in the classroom. The participant will evaluate measurement assurance and uncertainty data, complete data analysis using software, and produce a certificate of calibration compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the Advanced Mass Seminar the participant will:

• USE critical thinking skills to analyze: measurement requirements and measurement results for traceability, measurement assurance, uncertainty, compliance to related specifications, and reporting of calibration results – both before and during the seminar.
• IMPLEMENT NISTIR 5672 and appropriate supporting documentation in the seminar exercises and later in your laboratory, and to PERFORM advance mass weighing designs, with supporting evidence of metrological traceability, measurement assurance and uncertainties.
• CREATE a data set using advanced weighing designs and GENERATE an ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration certificate using the data output from the NIST Mass Code or alternative software.

Technology Requirement(s):

Participant must bring a laptop with Microsoft Excel and Word software for analysis of data, hands-on case studies, and preparation of calibration certificates and be familiar with the use of these programs. Participant must be able to use a USB memory stick for transferring files that will be printed/reviewed during the course. Specific instructions will be provided to the student in the confirmation letter regarding additional laptop/tablet requirements. A scientific calculator may be useful, but is not required.

Materials & Supplies:

Notebooks and reference materials will be provided in the course and include a complete set of Reference Publications and software that will be used in the course.

Prerequisite(s):

Participants must have successfully completed the newly redesigned (2 week) Mass Course or the older Mass Seminar AND Intermediate Seminar. State laboratory participants must have successfully completed all required Laboratory Auditing Program problems. All participants should have evidence of successfully completing mass proficiency testing (at a level higher than Class F, or OIML M, or ASTM 4, 5, 6, or 7 class weights).

Pre-Work:

The attached pre-work must be completed and submitted to Val Miller by May 15. You may use either the Word version or PDF form that are available.

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 calibration certificates as evidence of completion of all application exercises conducted during the hands-on portion of class exercises (guidance is provided in the course) and submit an Action Plan that can be used to implement or refine the advanced mass measurement processes in your laboratory.

Audience:

Metrologists with responsibilities for precision mass calibrations.

Cost:

The current fee for this seminar is $4,500. Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

Instructor(s):

Georgia Harris, Val Miller, Hung Kung Liu, and Mark Ruefenacht
Office of Weights and Measures
Phone: (301) 975 - 3602
E-mail: val.miller [at] nist.gov