Calibration, Adjustment, Or Repair? Why The Difference Matters
Most manufacturers recognize the need for calibration, but that’s where the clarity often ends. When a piece of equipment needs service, terms like calibration, adjustment, and repair are often used interchangeably. They’re not.
At SIMCO, we often hear this confusion. So, we sat down with Walter Kromm, our Vice President of Customer Success, to break things down in plain terms, and explain why getting it right isn’t just a technical detail. It’s a quality, compliance, and operations issue.
Calibration Is A Check, Not A Fix
“A calibration is a check. It’s a comparison of a device against a standard to verify it meets the manufacturer’s stated specifications.” — Walter Kromm
Calibration is all about confidence. It indicates whether your device is operating within its expected range. If it’s great, you’ll receive a certificate confirming it’s good to go. No tweaks. No adjustments. Just solid, documented proof that your tool is working as expected.
In regulated industries like aerospace, defense, or life sciences, that certificate isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s your insurance policy for audits, quality checks, and compliance reviews. At SIMCO, we ensure that every calibration record meets the highest standards, listing the reference standard used, environmental conditions, the person who performed it, and whether any changes were made.
What you get:
- A clear “pass/fail” based on known standards
- A certificate for your audit and compliance records
- No changes to the device unless absolutely needed
Common confusion: Many people assume calibration includes fixing something. But if your device is already within spec, no adjustment is needed. And that’s a good thing.
Adjustments Only Happen If Something Is Off
“An adjustment only happens if something is out of tolerance. It’s a correction—performed to bring the device back into spec.” — Walter Kromm
If calibration reveals that your equipment isn’t quite right, an adjustment may be necessary. That’s when our technicians step in to correct it, perhaps by tweaking a sensor or modifying a software setting so it meets the required performance range.
Take a pressure gauge, for example. If it reads just slightly high, we’ll recalibrate it to bring it back within spec. But this isn’t guesswork. At SIMCO, adjustments follow strict processes and are fully documented, so you know exactly what was done and why. It’s part of how we help you stay audit ready.
What you get:
- A correction to bring your device back into tolerance
- Clear documentation that an adjustment was made
- Calibration results after the adjustment are included on your certificate
Why this matters: Mixing up calibration and adjustment can lead to dangerous assumptions, especially in compliance-heavy environments. SIMCO keeps those lines clear so you’re never left guessing.
Repair Is About Getting It Working Again
“If a device isn’t working at all, or if a part is damaged or obsolete, that’s not a calibration issue—that’s a repair.” — Walter Kromm
Calibration checks accuracy. Repairs fix what’s broken. If your device won’t power on, has a cracked part, or needs a replacement component, it’s a repair job, not a calibration issue.
Repairs are about getting equipment functional again, especially in situations where accuracy cannot be tested until basic function is restored. Some customers only need a device to work (for example, for backup or non-critical use), while others may require calibration afterward. Either way, SIMCO can handle both.
What you get:
- Functionality restored—so the device works like it should
- Replacement or repair of broken parts
- Optional calibration afterward, if needed
And here is where SIMCO stands apart: We handle repairs that other labs won’t touch. Need a discontinued part? We’ve procured housings, tracked down legacy components, and rebuilt gear for aerospace and defense teams that can’t just order new replacements. When possible, we combine repair with calibration, ensuring your equipment is both fixed and verified during the same visit.
Key takeaway: Repairs and calibrations don’t always go hand in hand. We’ll always tell you what’s needed—and what isn’t.
Why SIMCO Draws A Clear Line
Some labs lump everything together. We don’t. At SIMCO, clarity is a key part of our service. You’ll always know:
- Whether your device passed calibration or needed adjustment
- If any changes were made, and why
- Whether a repair was done, and what was affected
“We don’t want anyone guessing,” Walt says. “The documentation needs to speak for itself—and it does.”
When All Three Happen At Once
Sometimes, a single service call includes all three: calibration, adjustment, and repair. That’s common during field service visits or within our Field Service C.A.R.E. Package program. And that’s where SIMCO really shines.
We’re built for complexity. Our techs can recalibrate after adjusting, flag and fix repairs on-site, and even perform preventive maintenance while they’re there. Whether it’s an instrument, case, or accessory, we aim to solve as much as possible in one trip, so your team keeps moving.
It’s Not Just Semantics
If you’re in a regulated environment, these differences matter. They affect your audit trail, product quality, operational uptime, and compliance posture. That’s why SIMCO doesn’t just perform the work—we make sure you understand what was done, why it matters, and what to do next.
Are you unsure how your current program compares?
Let’s talk. Reach out today for a quote! SIMCO is here to clarify, calibrate, and—when needed—repair not just your equipment, but your confidence in the process.