AAOM Handbook

MP.11 Review the capability of measurement equipment/devices.

Context Most processes will have a number of measurement devices available to automatically measure certain critical characteristics. An understanding of the device’s ability to measure is required prior to establishing a measurement system. KPIs should be continually measured and monitored. Other measures of the technical theory or strategy are used during the Analyse and Improve process, to help in understanding issues and opportunities around the stability or capability of the process. These non-KPI measures do not need to be monitored continually, and hence may not need to have permanent measurement systems installed. The decision on whether permanent measurement systems are required for control measures should be guided by two considerations. These are; the rate at which the process can undergo a change and, the 'visibility' of the change. In a chemical process where changes in concentrations or reactions can occur fairly rapidly (perhaps in minutes or hours), and cannot be easily or safely detected by human senses, specialised instruments will be needed to measure the change. Since significant time may be required to put these instruments in place, it will typically be necessary to install permanent instrumentation for this type of control measure. Then, when a KPI indicates that an intervention is required, the data from the measure will be available in time to make an appropriate analysis and intervention. In a process such as a mine shovel loading broken ore, many of the potential control measures are readily observable, either directly or with simple tools, and therefore do not require permanent instrumentation. For example, if a control chart of the daily loading rate (an effectiveness measure for the process) indicates a drop in performance, it is relatively quick and easy to take a stop watch and measure by observation the times for the loading cycle steps, to determine if the swing time or dig time are longer than target.

Purpose

To produce a list of available measuring devices detailing measurement capability

Quantity One statement for each device detailing the capability of the equipment

Quality The list of devices shall include a description of: • Accuracy of the device • Calibration intervals • Reliability of the device