Mass Metrology Seminar

The Mass Metrology Seminar is a 2 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 2010 or 2013 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. 

Instructor(s):

Val Miller
Office of Weights and Measures
Phone: (301) 975 - 3602
E-mail: val.miller [at] nist.gov (val[dot]miller[at]nist[dot]gov)