Pin Gage Use vs. Calibration Frequency - Elsmar Cove

I have a dilemma that I've been trying to overcome for many years and, for some reason, just now thought to post here.
We have many library pin gage sets. These are mostly 0.061-0.750 sets. Class Z and ZZ.
The pins are identified by set using paint on each end of the pin. Most of our pin sets, based on their usage and criticality are on 2 year intervals. (For key feature measurements we use X Class, Air Gages, or Bore Gages.) The pins are primarily for setup, so it is important that they be "close" to the marked size, but as they are not used for final part inspection it is not critical.
I have tried to come up with a fairly fool-proof way of identifying pins so that, when it is time for calibration, pins that have been used are obvious and require calibration. Pins that do not get used would have an extended calibration interval.
We have tried sign-out sheets which, obviously, doesn't work. We have tried dip-sealing the exposed end of the pin with the intent that the dip-seal be removed when the pin is used. This has also not worked. As often as not, the dip seal is used as a "handle" when the pin is removed from the drawer, then the pin is replaced with the dip seal intact.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to accomplish this? Or has anyone done anything like this with any degree of success?
Whatever I do, it has to be rigorous enough to "ensure" that a pin cannot be used without the usage being obvious, such that the pin will be calibrated at the next due date.
And yes, we could argue that my use of the term "calibration" should instead be "verification", but that is a semantic discussion. For the purpose of the paragraphs above, I would not technically be "calibrating" any pin, since adjustment is impossible.

I have a dilemma that I've been trying to overcome for many years and, for some reason, just now thought to post here.
We have many library pin gage sets. These are mostly 0.061-0.750 sets. Class Z and ZZ.
The pins are identified by set using paint on each end of the pin. Most of our pin sets, based on their usage and criticality are on 2 year intervals. (For key feature measurements we use X Class, Air Gages, or Bore Gages.) The pins are primarily for setup, so it is important that they be "close" to the marked size, but as they are not used for final part inspection it is not critical.
I have tried to come up with a fairly fool-proof way of identifying pins so that, when it is time for calibration, pins that have been used are obvious and require calibration. Pins that do not get used would have an extended calibration interval.
We have tried sign-out sheets which, obviously, doesn't work. We have tried dip-sealing the exposed end of the pin with the intent that the dip-seal be removed when the pin is used. This has also not worked. As often as not, the dip seal is used as a "handle" when the pin is removed from the drawer, then the pin is replaced with the dip seal intact.
Does anyone have any ideas of how to accomplish this? Or has anyone done anything like this with any degree of success?
Whatever I do, it has to be rigorous enough to "ensure" that a pin cannot be used without the usage being obvious, such that the pin will be calibrated at the next due date.
And yes, we could argue that my use of the term "calibration" should instead be "verification", but that is a semantic discussion. For the purpose of the paragraphs above, I would not technically be "calibrating" any pin, since adjustment is impossible.

Don't get caught up citing semantics, as adjustability has nothing to do with it. Calibration is a comparison between measurements.

Usage is not the only reason for a tool such as a pin gauge to become OOT. It almost seems that the amount of effort being expended in determining which pins need to be checked vs. the ones that are to have their due dates extended outweighs simply performing the check on the set when due. Extended or not, you need to do all of them sooner or later.

Considered outsourcing? We have the same dilemma with other gauges (like thread ring gauges). We decided we really need to control/track gauges that are issued and used to calibrate parts. We feel we are spending way too much time and money recalibrating gages that have not been used (or touched for that matter) since the last time they were calibrated. We decided that we need to control and keep specific records of what gage was issued to whom (and for what job). If we do this?keep detailed records, I feel that we will have sufficient evidence to show auditors why gauges were skipped and not recalibrated?if we show specific evidence that the gauge was not used. We are currently using a paper system to do this with varying success. We are actively searching for a software program to help us.

We have the same dilemma with other gauges (like thread ring gauges). We decided we really need to control/track gauges that are issued and used to calibrate parts. We feel we are spending way too much time and money recalibrating gages that have not been used (or touched for that matter) since the last time they were calibrated. We decided that we need to control and keep specific records of what gage was issued to whom (and for what job). If we do this?keep detailed records, I feel that we will have sufficient evidence to show auditors why gauges were skipped and not recalibrated?if we show specific evidence that the gauge was not used. We are currently using a paper system to do this with varying success. We are actively searching for a software program to help us.

If you feel that you're spending way too much time and money recalibrating gauges that haven't been used, it can be assumed that there are a lot of gauges that fall within this category. So now you keep detailed records - paper-based - to keep track of all these items and to provide evidence to an auditor why they were skipped and not calibrated.

Help me understand how this is better. If providing evidence to an auditor is more important to the company than having tools that are verified as fit for use, the process is not being done for the benefit of the customer. This may sound like a great idea to start with, but before you realize it, you're going to have pin gauges from the same set that have many varying calibration dates. So now, instead of identifying a set as calibrated, one has to identify each pin gauge individually.

Time and effort cost the company money as well, not just calibration fees.

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