Most people are unaware about the uses and
importance of a torque tester. If someone has never heard of a torque tester,
all they need to know is that a torque tester is nothing but a quality control
device. It’s used for testing or calibrating torque-controlled tools. Some of
the common tools which are tested or calibrated by torque tester include:
electric screwdrivers, cordless screwdrivers, dial torque wrenches, electronic
torque wrenches, click torque wrenches, air screwdrivers and pulse tools.
Nowadays, one can buy advanced versions of
torque testers like spring torque tester or bottle torque tester, which have
the ability to measure in two different directions, clockwise and
anti-clockwise. Also, the latest variants of torque testers can convert 8 types
of engineering units and have 3 modes of operation. These three modes are:
peak, 1st peak, and track. Torque testers come along with
certificate issued by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
In order to test or calibrate a
torque-controlled tool, one must convert the torque into an electrical signal.
Conversion, which is indirect, takes place in two stages. The torque, which is
being sensed, helps in deforming a strain gauge, which in turn, converts the
deformation to electrical signals. Although, a torque transducer consists of
four strain gauges usually seen in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, torque
transducers bearing one or two strain gauges are also available.
Torque transducers are available in varied
choices like stationary, rotary and inline, with each one of them used for
different audit purposes and calibration. One of the key components seen in
modernized torque testers is the digital display, which is used for measuring
the readings of output signal from the transducer and calculating the same into
torque value. Mostly, the transducer and digital display are combined inside a
housing, which is termed as “Desktop Torque Tester”. Portable displays
(handheld torque analyzers) can be used along with rotary and stationary types
of transducers.
When calibrating torque-controlled tools, the
range of the torque to be tested is dependent on the accuracy levels of the
torque tester. Both the range of the torque-controlled tool and the accuracy of
the torque-tester should be considered. Only one torque tester or transducer is
needed in case all the tools to be tested are of identical capacities. And, in
case of multiple capacity tools, more than one tester or transducer may be
needed for covering the range of required torque test levels.
As compared to multi-transducer testers,
single transducer or testers are easy to use and install. Also, single
transducers are comparatively cheaper than their other counterparts, apart from
having the accuracy and range to handle interim torque checks. However, when
there is a need to test and address a wide range of torque levels,
multi-transducers are your best bet.
For more info : - bottle cap torque
