Selecting the right production tools is crucial to achieving the right balance between ensuring that products are made efficiently without compromising on quality.
The saying horses for courses has never been more appropriate when selecting production tools and understanding the differences and advantages of each type of tool, manufacturers can make informed decisions that enhance their assembly processes, ensuring both efficiency and quality.
The two most commonly used types of production tools are clutch tools and transducerised tools. While both serve the purpose of applying torque to fastenings in the assembly process, they operate on different principles and offer distinct advantages. Let’s delve into the key differences between these two types of tools.
Clutch tools are equipped with a mechanical clutch mechanism that disengages the drive once the preset torque is reached. This ensures that the fastener is quickly tightened to the desired torque, however accuracy can be lost during the fastening so they are best suited to non-safety or quality critical joints.
Clutch tools are commonly used in applications where high volume and moderate precision are required. This can be across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods. In the automotive industry, for example, they are used to assemble non safety or quality critical joints such as door joints or seat assemblies.
Some key features of Clutch tools are:
Unlike clutch tools, transducerised tools are equipped with a transducer that measures the actual torque applied to the fastener in real-time. This data is fed back to a connected controller, allowing for precise torque control and monitoring.
They are widely used in industries that require high precision and traceability, such as automotive, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing.
Here are their key features:
However there are some factors to consider:
Selecting the right production tooling is a crucial step in the manufacturing process. By carefully considering factors such as production volume, design complexity, material requirements, precision, cost, and lead time, you can find the optimal balance between speed and quality. This ensures that your products are manufactured efficiently and to the highest standards.
Making the choice between clutch tools and transducerised tools depends on the specific requirements of your manufacturing process. Clutch tools are ideal for applications where simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and moderate precision are sufficient. In contrast, transducerised tools are the go-to choice for high-precision applications that demand detailed data integration and advanced torque control.
By understanding the differences and advantages of each type of tool, manufacturers can make informed decisions that enhance their assembly processes, ensuring both efficiency and quality.
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