Calibration of Hardness Testers and Hardness Testing Equipment

Yes, it is possible to view your calibration certificates online. At ZwickRoell, you can do this via the special customer portal. By visiting the portal ZwickRoell – keep track!, you have access to your calibration certificates and other important documents. The online platform offers a convenient and efficient way to keep track of calibration data and certificates. To access it, you must first register.

The need for calibration can vary depending on the area of application and the type of testing machine, but here are general guidelines to maintain the integrity of your measuring devices:
1. Regular maintenance: We recommend having maintenance and calibration performed annually. This helps to maintain the correct function of the testing machine and thus ensure reliable test results.
2. After changes to the machine: If a repair occurs, or if changes are made to the measuring system or measuring parameters, or if the location of the machine changes, immediate calibration is necessary. This guarantees that the test results remain reliable.
3. Compliance with standards: Most relevant standards specify a regular renewal interval of 12 months, with a grace period of one month often granted.

Calibration ensures that measuring devices function correctly and provide precise measurements. Regarding the validity of a calibration certificate, it should be noted that a calibration is basically only a snapshot at the time it is performed – it indicates that the device measures correctly at that specific time.
To ensure the reliability of the measuring devices even after calibration, it is recommended to check them regularly using so-called hardness test blocks or similar standards. This regular check allows the user to rely on the fact that the device continues to measure in proper condition, as was the case during the last calibration.
As for the actual calibration interval, various standards often suggest a regular interval of 12 months. However, there is often an additional grace month, meaning that the next calibration should take place no later than 13 months after the last one. Note, however, that this can vary depending on the type of measuring device and the requirements of the respective industry. For critical applications or under certain operating conditions, shorter intervals may also be required.

At LATZKE Härteprüfung GmbH, the calibration of your measuring devices is carried out with the utmost care by our qualified technicians. Since we know how important precise measurements are for your processes, we offer two convenient options for calibration:
1. On-site calibration: Our technicians come to your location and perform the necessary calibration processes directly on your devices. They follow the procedures that correspond to your requirements and the specifications of the respective devices.
2. Mail-in calibration: For mobile devices, you also have the option of sending your devices to us. As soon as the devices arrive at our premises, they are calibrated to the same high standard and according to your specifications. With this calibration method, you can rely on your devices returning professionally calibrated.

Latzke is a company specializing in the calibration of testing machines, particularly the calibration of hardness testers and material testing machines. The following testing machines can be calibrated by Latzke:

Hardness testers:

Brinell: Here, the hardness of materials is calibrated according to the Brinell method, in accordance with the standards DIN EN ISO 6506-2 and ASTM E10.
Vickers & Knoop: Here, smaller load ranges in hardness testing are covered according to the standards DIN EN ISO 6507-2, 4545-2 (for Vickers) and ASTM E92, E384 (for Vickers & Knoop).
Rockwell: Rockwell hardness, a frequently used method for measuring the hardness of materials, is calibrated according to DIN EN ISO 6508-2 and ASTM E18.
Ball indentation hardness: This is calibrated according to DIN EN ISO 2039-1 and is particularly relevant for plastics.

Material testing machines:

Force calibrations: According to DIN EN ISO 7500-1 and 7500-2, the forces of these machines are calibrated to ensure that the applied force is precise.
Length measurements: Length is calibrated according to DIN EN ISO 9513, which is important for the accuracy of tensile tests.
Factory calibrations: Latzke also offers factory calibrations for other material testing machines upon request to ensure that special or unusual testing machines also meet the required standards.
The calibration of these machines ensures that the measurement results are reliable, which is essential for quality assurance and standard-compliant testing procedures in manufacturing and research processes.

Yes, the calibration of legacy equipment is indeed possible. We offer this service upon request, even for devices not directly offered by the manufacturer. This service can be provided for a variety of devices from different brands of established manufacturers such as Wolpert, Stiefelmeyer, Reicherter, Frank, Innovatest, QATM.

As an accredited calibration laboratory, we work under the supervision of the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). The accredited calibration certificates issued (DAkkS certificates) are internationally recognized by ILAC. Compliance with and monitoring of the specifications by DAkkS creates a high level of trust on both a national and international level, and thus a high degree of acceptance for the documented measurements and consequently for the test results generated by the user and the quality of their products. The measured values can be traced back to the national standard.
A factory calibration is a more cost-effective alternative to accredited calibration. Factory calibration is carried out based on industry-specific laws, standards, and guidelines. It often depends on the user’s customer whether a factory calibration certificate is accepted.
The test report includes an indirect check of your hardness tester with subsequent documentation of the measured values. The condition of the measuring system is not checked here, but the accuracy of the test results is.
All calibrations by Latzke are carried out using traceable test standards.