Precise torque control is absolutely vital in assembly and repair. Screws, bolts, and nuts must hold in place as machinery starts up, vibrates, and experiences forces from different directions. Whether these fasteners hold is determined by the torque that is applied to them. If it is too little, then vibrations can easily loosen a fastener.…
A lot of people feel nervous as they walk down the boarding ramp to catch their flight. In fact, up to 25 percent of Americans experience some fear of flying and will spend their trip across the sky with a white knuckle grip on their armrests. Nearly all of them will find that their fears…
When little things go wrong, they can have a big impact. Think about it: the biggest fire that’s ever burned was started by a single spark. An inch of reach or an ounce of force can alter the outcome of the Super Bowl—and the millions of dollars riding on it. Or think about Gavrilo Princip,…
What’s the difference between a regular screwdriver and a torque screwdriver? Torque screwdrivers can detect and limit the amount of force they apply to a screw; regular screwdrivers can’t. Why is that important? Because if you don’t apply enough force to a screw, it can fall out of the hole. If you apply too much,…
Assembly lines are mesmerizing to watch. Components large and small enter a factory and flow together into the main production line where, step-by-step, they become finished products. While it is a process similar to the course of a river, the flow is powered by human energy and ingenuity. Like a river, an assembly line is…
The best torque is the right torque. Whether you’re manufacturing circuit boards or repairing spaceships, applying the correct amount of torque to each screw and bolt is critical for success. If you don’t apply enough torque to a threaded fastener, it can fall free. If you apply too much, you can damage the fastener and…
One of the first things a teenager learns when they get their driver’s license is how to change a tire. Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car, remove the lug nuts, and replace the tire with the spare. Tighten a lug nut, then tighten the one that is diagonally opposite to ensure the tire is…
Archimedes famously said that given a long enough lever and a place to stand, he could move the world. Contrary to Archimedes’ expectations, much of the machinery that moves the world isn’t large but small. And for most, the challenge isn’t finding a large enough lever but rather one that is correctly sized and precise…
Medical device manufacturers who sell their products in the United States must comply with the quality control guidelines outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in part 820 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal regulations. These guidelines lay out specific requirements for quality systems, covering production and process control, corrective and preventive…
In 2017, the International Organization for Standards (ISO) updated its guidelines for the accuracy and calibration of hand torque tools, previously modified in 2003. It was a comprehensive update that split the standard into two parts. The first part, ISO 6789-1:2017, lays out requirements for the design and testing of torque tools to ensure they…