If you're here, you're probably looking for something specific: maybe the hexagon official homepage store link, the right procedure to calibrate pipette eppendorf models, or you're suddenly stuck with a broken x ray machine and a deadline. I've been the one coordinating those emergencies for years. Here are the real questions I get from technicians and lab managers, answered straight.
1. Where can I find the official hexagon shop and homepage for my region?
This is the #1 question I get, and the answer is trickier than you'd think. The hexagon official homepage (hexagon.com) is the global hub, but it's not always set up for direct ordering on your first visit. You'll want to navigate to the 'Shop' or 'Products' section. But here's the insider thing: if you're in a region like the EU or APAC, the local distributor's site is often faster. (Should mention: the official site's store is primarily for their CMM and laser tracker accessories; for general instruments like a pressure meter or thermal imager, you'll often be redirected to a partner.)
2. How do I properly calibrate an Eppendorf pipette? And what about Biohit?
I'll go step-by-step for eppendorf pipette calibration. First, you need a gravimetric calibration setup. You're weighing the dispensed water. The critical thing most people miss? The water temperature. If you're using water at 22°C vs. 25°C, your density conversion changes, and that throws off the result by 0.2-0.4%. That'd be the difference between passing and failing a routine check.
For a biohit pipette, the process is essentially identical per ISO 8655 standards. The difference is in the service manuals. The internal mechanism is different. (I should add: if you're trying to do a full mechanical adjustment yourself on a Biohit versus an Eppendorf, you risk voiding the warranty. I still kick myself for the time I didn't check the warranty seal first.)
The most common rookie mistake: Not pre-wetting the tip. You must aspirate and dispense the liquid 3-5 times before the measurement. This saturates the air cushion inside the tip. If you skip that, your first measurement can be off by 1-2%. Trust me on this.
3. What's the standard frequency for pipette calibration?
Most manufacturers, including Eppendorf, say every 3 to 12 months depending on usage. But here's what they won't tell you... that standard turnaround often includes buffer time. For a high-throughput lab processing DNA samples, that schedule might be too loose. We had a client lose an entire run because their 3-month-old pipette was delivering 98 µL instead of 100. The cost of that wasted reagent? Probably $800.
Most buyers focus on the calibration schedule and completely miss the daily user check. If you're not doing a quick check with a balance every morning, you're operating blind.
4. We need a rush calibration for our Eppendorf pipettes by Friday. Is that possible?
In my role coordinating emergency services, I've handled dozens of these. Yes, it's possible, but expect to pay a premium. In July 2024, a client called at 4 PM needing 15 pipettes recalibrated for a Friday audit. The normal turnaround was 5 days. We found a vendor with a dedicated express lane, paid an extra $50 per unit in rush fees, and got it done. The client's alternative was a failed audit which could have cost them a government contract. (I should note: this only works if you're within driving distance or willing to pay for overnight shipping of hazardous goods.)
5. I need to find an x ray machine for our new lab. What should I look for?
This is a completely different beast. If you're searching for a general x ray machine for non-destructive testing (for quality control on CMM measurements), you need to consider resolution versus penetrating power. The question everyone asks is “how powerful is it?” The question they should ask is “what is the focal spot size and detector sensitivity?” That determines the image quality, not raw power.
One of my biggest regrets from a past project: We bought a machine based on a brochure spec and didn't test it with our specific sample material. The machine couldn't see the fine cracks in our titanium parts. We paid $12,000 for a setup that didn't work for us. The preventative step would have been sending a sample to the vendor for a free test scan.
6. What's the one thing I should check on my hexagon CMM before a critical audit?
This is the “prevention over cure” point. Most people run a quick part check. But the #1 thing that trips up a Hexagon CMM during a rigorous audit is temperature compensation. I can only speak to my experience with the machines at a major automotive plant. If your shop floor has a 2-degree variance overnight, your inspection results can shift by 0.01mm. That is enough to fail a tight tolerance.
The fix? Check your machine's compensation log before the audit. If it's been turned off or the sensor is dirty, you'll get bad data. I saw a company lose a contract because they didn't check this. 5 minutes of verification beats 5 days of correction.
7. What happens if my calibration fails? Can I still use the equipment?
Technically, you can. But don't. If your pipette calibration fails or your CMM probe shows a deviation, using it for critical measurements makes any data invalid. If you're in a GMP environment (like pharmaceuticals), this is a regulatory findable. The cost of re-testing everything you've produced since the last successful calibration is always higher than the rush fee to fix it.
We lost a $5,000 contract in 2022 because we tried to save 2 days on standard calibration instead of rush, and the subsequent data quality check flagged a 0.5% error margin.
