A dial indicating torque screwdriver is designed for torque evaluation and torque verification. It is a low cost tool that can utilized for QC, R & D and assembly operations. The Mountz dial indicating torque screwdriver can be used to monitor torque as it increases or decreases or display peak torque applied. The dial torque screwdrivers, by Mountz, measure torque through the use of known twisting force needed to distort a torsion bar. The amount of torque applied is measured on a dual scale dial display. This tool can be used in two ways, it can either be set in track mode so it can constantly track the applied torque or set in memory mode, which is done by withdrawing the slider and resetting the bezel ring to zero before using. This tracks the applied torque as before, but leaves the memory pointer at the maximum torque position.

Determine Torque Requirements in R & D
When determining correct torque specifications, the engineer must consider the maximum load placed on the fastener, the strength of the material joined, and whether the joint is hard or soft. A hard joint connects materials directly. In this case, the fastener rotates very few degrees to develop full clamping force after it encounters the material. Since a soft joint contains a gasket or involves compressible materials, it requires additional tightening after the fastener makes contact, to achieve full clamping force.

One recognized method is to perform a destructive test with a calibrated torque control tool on the actual material and fastener to be joined. An evaluation is usually conducted with ten parts, ten fasteners, and a calibrated torque control tool with a transducer. First the fastener is tightened to the point of failure, then repeated several times to verify the consistency of the failure point. Now another series of tests is begun whereby the joint is torqued to 75% of the failure point. Depending on how the parts will be used, the tightening can be reduced by any degree necessary. If parts on a machine are subject to heavy vibration, maybe 85% of the total force is necessary for good torque control.

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Torque tools go out of calibration with use. Calibrating a torque tool is a fine-tuning process of bringing the tool back within its tolerance. Torque testers can also be used for quick tools tests on the line or in the lab to determine whether torque tools are holding a given setting.

A regular torque tool calibration and re-calibration guarantees the operator repeatable accuracy and adherence to international standards. Torque testing also ensures torque equipment is operating to peak performance and can highlight potential tooling problems before they arise perhaps due to tool wear or broken components.

The TorqueLab® LTT is a laboratory grade instrument designed for testing and monitoring torque applications and is commonly used for quality control, R&D and calibration applications. As an advanced torque controlling, monitoring and documentation solution, LTT torque tester is used for testing or calibrating hand torque screwdrivers, electric screwdrivers, pneumatic screwdrivers, torque tools as well as a torque wrench calibration. The LTT torque analyzer features the EZ-Plug & Play technology, which is an auto-recognition system with Mountz torque sensors.

Torque measurement is utilized in three areas of assembly. Controlling torque is quintessential for companies to ensure their product’s quality, safety and reliability isn’t compromised.

Prior to Assembly
Torque testing equipment, like electronic torque tester and  torque sensors are used before assembly process for tool setup or conducting tool capability studies. For tool setup, the tool crib will want to set the torque tool according the torque specification required for the application. For tool capability studies, technicians need to ensure that the torque tool can provide the necessary torque and repeatability that’s required for a potential application.

The equipment used for this torque testing would be:
- Tabletop torque testers with built-in transducers
- Torque analyzer that connects with either stationary torque sensors or rotary torque sensors
- Joint simulators like run down adapters

During  Assembly
For air and electric assembly tools once the torque tool is being used in the production area, many manufacturers like to audit the tool and verify the actual torque being applied to the application or if the tool is starting to fall out of specification. The Rotary Torque Sensor is the ideal torque-auditing tool for testing the actual torque being applied on the assembly application. By connecting a rotary torque sensor between an electric or pneumatic tool and assembly application, you can monitor the torque being applied from the tool to fastener or bolt. This type of torque reading is called a dynamic torque reading. The rotary sensor is connected to torque analyzer, which records and stores the data.

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