The new EZ-Glider Position Control telescoping torque arms by Mountz Inc., helps manufacturers detect and eliminate costly screw-fastening errors during the assembly process. Position Control telescoping torque arms are designed to reduce the risk of improperly fastened screws, ensuring that every screw is in the correctly tightened in the correct sequence. Using the EZ-Glider Position Control torque arm is like putting the eyes and ears of a quality control manager where they are needed most – right in the assembly area.

Crafted with lightweight durable carbon fiber the torque arm collapses like a telescope. The EZ-Glider Position Control telescoping torque arms are easy-to-use, require little space and don’t disrupt production flow. The new telescoping torque arm features models with an operating length that can extend up to 6 1/2 feet. The torque arms are ideal for assembly lines like automotive, aerospace and appliance manufacturing where space is a premium and operator safety is mandatory. Assembly tools can be mounted to a telescoping torque arm and hung above to fixed rail system or a trolley system.

The EZ-Glider Position Control telescoping torque arm consists of a torque reaction arm with encoders mounted at the base and a control box. The control box is used for programming and it tracks the axis movement by converting angle counts to the precise position of the screwdriver. The location is calculated from encoder values, allowing the operator to easily teach the torque arm a programmed sequence pattern and then use it to control the assembly process. Programming is as simple as moving the driver over the sequence location and then pressing a button. Popular features are driver “lock out”, which disallows activation of the driver if the wrong sequence is attempted and torque adjust, which automatically changes the driver torque to a new torque value if required.

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When operating torque tools for high torque and speed applications, it is extremely important to consider the issue of torque reaction of the tools being used. For torque tools such as torque multipliers, pneumatic screwdrivers, nutrunners, DC control tools and other torque tools that will be used for the torque application, you need to consider both how the tool will be supported and how the torque reaction and speed will be dealt with in order to protect the operator.

Selecting the right torque tool for the job is crucial, but operator safety is key priority when operating a high torque or speed tool. Below you find an overview of the different types of solutions for protecting the operator.

Reaction Device: Reaction taken through an additional reaction device fitted onto the tool. Torque Arm: Reaction taken through a device or fixture onto which the tool is supported.

1. Reaction Device This method consists of mounting a reaction bar onto the front part of the tool. Then the reaction bar must have something solid and square to react against in the work area. Reaction forces work in the opposite direction to fastener rotation, so when the bolt is tightened the tool cannot rotate or move in any way and threaten injury to the operator. The key component to consider when selecting a reaction point for the reaction bar is the area in which the reaction bar is to react against is both stable and cannot move in any way, especially bearing in mind that the reaction force will be equal to the torque being applied to the fastener. Commonly used with torque multipliers and nutrunners

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The EZ-Glider torque arms are designed to improve production and quality control during the assembly process. The ergonomic torque arm prevents side load and cross threading, by securely clasping the electric screwdriver or pneumatic screwdriver and keeping the tool in a perpendicular alignment. The EZ-Glider helps remove the operators influence in the assembly process and strengthens quality control. The ergonomic design of the EZ-Glider torque arms reduces RMI (repetitive motion injury) and CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome). The effortless handling of the torque arm provides comfortable tool operation and increased production.

An ergonomic mindset helps ensure safer conditions
Besides the proper selection of ergonomically correct tools and workstations, manufactures should adopt enterprise wide programs that increase the awareness of ergonomics within administrative offices as well as on the production floor.

A successful ergonomic system incorporates employee participation that includes discussion across all levels and directions of an organization. It’s recommended to avoid the one-size-fits-all approach. Every ergonomic concern requires its own evaluation, ideally performed by a person competent in such issues. When indicated, control measures should be designed to eliminate ergonomic stresses specific to the results of the evaluation. Finally, effective follow-up mechanisms must be provided.

- Form a permanent safety committee
- Perform a job safety analysis for every job
- Perform routine inspections, even if no hazards have been reported
- Immediately correct any deficiencies; and conduct an accident investigation for each incident, even “near misses.”