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,…
Whether it’s to improve production speed, to standardize torque application, or to create a safer workplace, many assembly operations are choosing to manufacture products using pneumatic screwdrivers. Capable of providing more than 150 lbf.in of precision torque, pneumatic screwdrivers can easily handle almost any screw. They are capable of more torque than most electric screwdrivers.…
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…
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…
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…
Rail moved $184 billion dollars worth of freight in the U.S.A. in 2017. Veining all throughout the nation, our rail lines provide channels for the lifeblood of our country. Rail moves goods from a broad range of domestic industries, from bulk agricultural goods to specialized freight like generators, turbine blades, automobiles, and aerospace components. Hundreds…
We’re all familiar with the old television trope of characters not being able to pay for a meal. The friend who promised to pay for dinner dashes out, and the remaining person finds their wallet empty or has their credit card declined. Cut to the character up to their elbows in sudsy water, washing dishes…
A lot happens in a day at the factory. Noise levels rise and fall. Temperatures climb and plummet. Shifting vibrations rattle and roll through the building and everything in it. Workers come and go, some passing tools between them and using them with different amounts of force. Tools can drop, or get mucked, or misused.…