Why invest in Torque and Angle monitoring, especially if the tools you’ve got already do the job?
It’s a question that crops up quite a bit. Any manufacturer or fitter knows only too well the cost of discovering a problem at the end of the assembly process.
Take the auto industry for example. The financial implications of recalling a vehicle, due to technical issues are huge, not to mention the logistics of carrying out thousands of safety checks across many locations. In fact the cost of recalls to the motor industry is tens of millions each year. And then there’s the damage to reputation and the hidden marketing costs to regain customer confidence. In this scenario, wouldn’t it be better to identify the problems on the assembly line? It would certainly be more cost effective.
When the safety and accuracy of joints is critical, you need a tool that can achieve the correct Clamping Load on several materials and in various environmental conditions.
A tool that can offer both torque and angle settings is undoubtedly the best choice. True, there may be a slight trade off with assembly speed but most businesses accept that precision and consistency wins hands down when safety and reputation are paramount. And the new generation of powered tools certainly cancel out any loss of efficiency.
The benefits of torque and angle tooling include being able to control the bolt stretch or tension and ensure the fastener is snug and fitted in its optimum position for wear.
There are often erratic influences on the torque measurement which can be caused by changes in materials, the nature of the fastener or forces applied through use. Using a tool that records both torque and angle is the best way to mitigate against such variations and guarantee the most accurate assembly.
But what about ‘human error’? How can businesses avoid the inevitable mistakes made by their workforce?
Tools that alert the user of any oversights during the assembly process are valuable assets to businesses who rely quality and consistency.
Market leaders, Sturtevant Richmont are pioneers in developing tools that take the risk out of production, including those that slip through even the most robust procedures. Sturtevant Richmond make leading manual wrenches and some of its product range offer an accuracy of +/- 1&. There are also powered versions available, such as Cleco’s range of corded electric tools.
And there are even more benefits: torque and angle wrenches can be programmed to ‘intelligently’ monitor assembly and flag up any errors or omissions. For example, pre-set parameters are consistently achieved because the tool will shut off or display an ‘error’ alert if over tightened. Likewise, a correctly fitted joint will get the green light.
It’s also possible to apply further steps to avoid mistakes, including a fixings count in the program, eradicating the risk of missing screws. The tool will even prompt the use of the correct fixing and the correct order of application.
And the advantages don’t end on the production line. All actions can be recorded, hugely important for traceability in the event of a problem. The historic usage can show the precise tension applied and any errors or missing steps in production. A powerful tool indeed.
Abbey Industrial Solutions are the main distributor for Sturtevant Richmont and Cleco tools and are pleased to offer its customers the duel benefits of world class tooling ranges along with Abbey’s maintenance service contract. With a reputation for innovation and problem solving, Abbey’s experienced engineers will identify any potential weak links in assembly and work with businesses to eliminate costly production issues.
Contact the team at Abbey Industrial Solutions today to learn how we can help you maximise your manufacturing productivity: discover@abbeyis.co.uk | 01924 224240
