Edwards AFB News

For good measure, base precision lab passes biannual evaluation

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  No one at Edwards is more exact in their work than the Precision Measuring Equipment Laboratory. On May 21, the lab was visited by Maj. Gen. Arnold Bunch Jr., Air Force Test Center commander, to congratulate them for passing their biannual Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) Laboratory evaluation.

The AFMETCAL evaluation exists to ensure that PMELs are producing safe, accurate, reliable and traceable measurements. This year's inspection took place March 23-25 and they received the official report that they passed in April.

The lab calibrates everything from micrometers to torque wrenches and airplane scales. And it's not just limited to flight test. They also calibrate the radar guns used by the 412th Security Forces Squadron and equipment used at the base hospital along with just about everything else that has some type of physical property.

They deal with precision equipment that can produce wave forms, measure pressure or torque, take linear measurements and much more. There are almost 21,000 items in their inventory and they certify up to 12,000 items each year.

"We support the rocket lab, March Air Reserve Base, the National Guard off of Channel Islands, civil engineering...every customer you can think of, we support," said Daniel Tibayan, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Flight chief.

In the precision lab, it's all about standards. All of their equipment has to calibrate to the measurements set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. When a customer brings in an item for calibration, PMEL returns it with accuracy that is four times better than what the customer requested.

Their process is so exact that many items must be calibrated in a temperature-controlled cold room. The standard temperature prevents variances that are created when materials like metal expand and contract. Once an item is calibrated by an Air Force PMEL, it should produce measurements that are exactly the same as an equivalent item anywhere in the world.

"We could actually measure a business card, put it on our scale and do a zero tare, then make you sign it and then re-weigh and it would tell me how much your signature weighs," said Tibayan. "I can actually put a price to what is your 'John Hancock' is worth."

During the AFMETCAL inspection, the PMEL is evaluated in six areas: management system, measurement capability assessment, quality program, facility, environmental control system and proficiency testing/measurement assurance program. According to Tibayan, PMEL has one of the "toughest quality programs in the Air Force."

Tibayan shared that he takes his job seriously because PMEL is critical to an Airman's safety.

"When our pilots are flying in combat, we're making sure that when they're going to have to drop a bomb at a range of 45 miles within 10 feet, it's, no kidding, going to be within 10 feet."