Calibrating Measurement Equipment in the Tequila Industry

Why is calibrating measurement instruments important?

 One of the most important parts about producing a quality tequila is the monitoring and evaluation of measurement instruments’ performance. The calibration of measurement tools is crucial. Find out how we handle this at Casa Sauza!

What is calibration?

Calibration is a set of operations that establish, under specific conditions, the relationship between values of magnitudes indicated by a measurement system, or values represented by a reference material.

What is a reference pattern?

A reference pattern includes the materialized measurement, measuring instrument, reference material or system intended to: define, perform, preserve or reproduce a unit or 1+ units of an amount to be transmitted, by comparison to other instruments.

Why should you calibrate measuring instruments?

Measuring instruments are calibrated with the objective to accurately measure variables that directly impact quality, safety, security and environment in each stage of the tequila-making process, and therefore establish the accuracy of the measuring instruments.

Accuracy in measuring instruments is possible utilizing a recognized reference pattern that can be traced to the National Center of Metrology (Centro Nacional de Metrología) or any other international organizations recognized by the corresponding accrediting entity.

It is important that a maintenance program is installed prior to calibration of measuring instruments.

What happens if the instruments that measure critical variables are not calibrated?

It is important to be aware of the fact that, if measuring instruments are not calibrated before making tequila, results may be disastrous. For example:

• If the manometer installed in a boiler, which measures the steam supply pressure, is not                             calibrated, the reading may be outside the operating range, and cause a catastrophic explosion
• If the pressure gauge in a dishwasher is not calibrated, it will result in a bad rinse and leave                     dangerous particles in bottled tequila
• If the laboratory’s measuring instruments are not calibrated, a product outside of regulation                  NOM-006-SCFI-2012 could be the result

Because of this, it is important to have good control over measuring instruments that measure critical variables.

At Casa Sauza, control of measuring instruments is assured from selection, identification and compliance of calibration programs.

 What can affect the condition of instrument calibration?

• Hard blows
• Misuse
• Overloading
• Adjustments
• Environmental conditions in which the measuring instrument is stored
• Inappropriate installation

Benefits of calibrating measuring instruments

• Compliance with regulations applicable to the tequila-making process
• Detecting anomalies in the instrument before causing a problem that puts quality, safety,                          security and environment at risk
• Ensuring the replacement of faulty instruments and instruments that need updating

Where to calibrate measuring instruments?

Measuring instruments should be calibrated by laboratories that follow national standards and are accredited under the ISO/IEC-17025-2005 regulation.

Internal calibrations can be performed as long as adequate standards, facilities and personnel are available to carry out the activity.

If measuring instruments do not provide consistent measurements, it does not matter whether you have the best facilities, the best equipment and the best personnel––you will not have acceptable results.

In the next blog, we will talk about the quality of measuring in the tequila-making process.

Come and visit Casa Sauza and see for yourself the modernization of our production processes, which  deliver the purest tequila that you will find in the market.