Elevating Quality: Mobile Calibration Trailer Transforms Metrology Program at Tennessee Energy Facility
Ensuring Precision, Traceability, and Confidence for Critical Plant Operations
For a global leader in power grids and advanced energy solutions in rural Tennessee, maintaining rigorous quality standards across thousands of precision measurement tools is vital to operational success. However, relying on a legacy calibration provider left the facility’s quality team unsatisfied and with lingering doubts about the true accuracy of their measurements.
To overcome these challenges, the facility partnered with Cross Precision Measurement to overhaul its calibration program, utilizing a state-of-the-art mobile calibration lab to bring high-end metrology directly to their site.
The Challenge: Questionable Quality and Unmanaged Scope
For years, the facility relied on an external calibration vendor that performed spot-checks and routine recertification on-site. However, internal quality stakeholders suspected they weren’t receiving true, high-level quality calibrations. Previous vendor visits were brief, unstructured, and often performed in uncontrolled environments—such as open areas in the quality department subject to severe ambient temperature swings.
When Cross was initially brought in to evaluate the facility’s needs, the transition presented immediate hurdles:
- Significant Scope Discrepancy: Cross’s proposal reflected a comprehensive, uncompromising approach to quality. What began as an estimated scope of 800 to 1,000 items quickly grew as Cross technicians uncovered uncatalogued equipment. Ultimately, the total scope scaled to over 2,000 items, including nearly 1,000 pieces of critical hard gaging (thread rings, thread plugs, and cylindrical rings).
- Initial Skepticism: Transitioning from a low-cost, low-rigor provider to a comprehensive high-end service required building trust from the ground up, as plant personnel closely scrutinized the team’s initial findings.
“When we originally started, it was a rocky road because they had their guard up… But after a full year of service, they have realized the true value of bringing a high-end level of quality to their calibrations and quality system.” — Cross Service Manager
The Evolution: From Rapid Mobilization to a Custom Mobile Lab
When the partnership first began a year ago, Cross proved its commitment by rapidly sourcing and setting up a temporary trailer in just a single weekend to meet the customer’s urgent on-site timeline.
Fast forward to today, and that initial setup has evolved into Cross Precision Measurement’s newly deployed, custom-built mobile calibration lab based out of the Nashville branch. This modern mobile facility allows Cross to deliver ISO 17025-accredited and NIST-traceable calibrations directly on-site, virtually eliminating operational downtime for the plant.
Key features of the upgraded mobile calibration experience include:
- Advanced Climate Control & Power: Built to maintain stable ambient temperatures even in peak summer heat, complete with battery backup systems to preserve environmental stability overnight.
- Onboard Connectivity: Equipped with its own dedicated internet service, enabling real-time data sync and rapid reporting.
- Comprehensive Multi-Tech Workstations: Built to comfortably house up to three technicians working simultaneously across dimensional, electronics, torque, and pressure calibrations
High-Precision Results On-Site
During a recent multi-week calibration event, Cross technicians worked through the facility’s extensive catalog out of the mobile lab:
- Hard Gaging & Tooling: Technicians evaluated over 900 pieces of hard gaging. Thread rings—which had previously been set far too loosely—were individually adjusted and recalibrated to strict standards (after the critical 24 hour soak period).
- Seamless Digital Visibility via GageSuite: Every calibrated item received a physical sticker and certificate. All documentation was uploaded directly to Cross’s complimentary GageSuite platform, giving the facility instant, paperless access to their entire calibration history.
Looking Ahead
After a full year of service, the relationship between the Alamo facility and Cross has transformed into a partnership built on absolute trust. Plant quality teams now routinely rely on Cross’s guidance for calibration compliance and quality recommendations.
As the facility prepares for major site expansions, Cross’s mobile calibration lab and crew is working to return to the facility on a regular quarterly cadence—ensuring that as the plant grows, its equipment continues to meet the highest standards of precision and audit readiness.
Is your current provider struggling to keep up with your calibration demands, or are you questioning the true tolerances of your equipment? A Cross Precision Measurement expert is ready to visit your site, assess your needs, and deliver reliable, world-class calibration services directly to your door. Schedule your service today!
