If your manufacturing or service operation uses fasteners, there’s no question that you need torque. Torque is the force—radial force—which turns screws. Too much torque, and the assembly and fastener can fail. Too little, and they can cease to hold. So, really, no matter what industry you’re in, if you use fasteners, the question to ask is: how much torque do I need?
Knowing Which Torque Tools You Need
From the initial question, a few others arise. Once you determine how much torque you need to apply, next you need to know your margin for error. If you get within 30%, is that close enough? Or is it 3%? Or 0.3%? The answer depends on the criticality of your application, or, in other words, the repercussions for failure.
With your torque value and specificity known, next consider the pace of your application. How many torque applications do you need to perform in an hour, or a minute, to reach your quota? High-speed production environments will require faster tools than low-volume, high precision manufacturing. In-house service centers with many customers will require faster tools than field technicians, whose job completion rate is more dependent on transportation and other factors.
Finally, knowing the torque values, specificity, and pace you must work at, choose your tools. Certainly, the tools must be rated for the work you intend to perform. In addition, consider their cost, infrastructural needs, reliability, warranty, and available service plans. Certain applications, like the manufacture of delicate electronics, requires special tooling solutions like protection from electrostatic discharge or clean room certification.
The correct choices for these considerations depend on your specific application. For torque values and specificity, consult your engineering team or an outside torque expert. For pace, look to your business management team, who will establish quotas based on capacity and demand. To find the tools you need, draw up a list of requirements, then compare the relevant offerings of leading manufacturers.
While it is impossible to generically prescribe torque tools for unseen operations, certain similarities within various industries allow for a general picture of a typical operation’s torque needs. Narrowing your range of options allows to you find the tools you need to work as efficiently as possible.
How Much Torque Do I Need for Aerospace Manufacturing and Service?
Different tools are most effective for different aerospace articles or components. Aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers use fasteners for most parts which will require frequent service or disassembly, preferring rivets, welds, or bonding compounds for structural parts and other areas intended to remain whole for long periods of time.
Aircraft articles, components, and assemblies vary greatly in their torque requirements because aircraft are complex, varied machines comprised of thousands of different systems, hundreds of different fasteners, and dozens of different materials. Still, by looking for your product’s torque values, specificity, and production needs, you can find the right tools. In both production and service environments, it’s important to consider the full range of products you may work with.
Aerospace torque values range from decimal inch-ounces to hundreds of foot-pounds. To find the torque values for the parts you work with, consult design specifications. If you’re creating new specifications or do not have access to your aircraft’s manual, start with existing aviation torque standards and perform trial and error tests until the new values have been proven. As a golden rule in service, replace same with same, both in terms of bolt type and amount of torque.
The specificity your products demand depends on their criticality. Parts which are non-load bearing or operationally necessary have fewer repercussions for failure and demand less criticality. Mission dependent components and load-bearing fasteners demand higher precision, as required by Federal Aviation Regulations.
Lastly, consider speed. Complex component manufacturing will require more accuracy than speed, as will most service applications. Simple, non-critical component manufacturing may require a tighter production schedule and faster tools.
How Much Torque Do I Need for Automotive Manufacturing and Service?
While less complex than most jumbo jets, long-range drones, and communications satellites, automobiles are complicated layerings of dozens of intermingling, mutually dependent systems. Small electronics components in automobiles require small torque values and small torque wrenches. On the other hand, large structural components, like u-bolts and engine head bolts, require large torque wrenches.
As with aircraft, the tools you need depends on the components you specialize in. If you primarily repair electronics, you’ll need small, precise torque wrenches. If your customers come to you for structural work or precision racing, you’ll need wrenches capable of delivering lots of torque. If you assemble engines, you’ll need fast, precise torque tools capable of applying moderate to high amounts of torque. Here’s a breakdown of common automotive torque tools and their applications.
CLICK WRENCH
Automotive Applications
General repair and production. Wide torque range, from 18 lbf.in to 2,212 ft.lbs, renders click wrenches useful for nearly any service application, from spark plugs to camshaft sprockets. Lack of precision makes them less useful for critical parts, like gear assemblies.
BREAK-OVER WRENCH
Precise repair and production. Smaller torque range, 25 ozf.in to 147 lb.ft, and ability to adapt to different fastening applications (since it is compatible with multiple head options) makes break-over wrenches good for use in tight access locations, such as automotive applications.
CAM-OVER WRENCH
Precise repair and production. Cam-over wrenches have the smallest range, 2-90 lbf.ft, but the highest specificity. Best for components with zero margin for error, like internal engine fasteners.
DC CONTROL ELECTRONIC SCREWDRIVER
Precise, rapid production. High speed, high specificity, and low torque ranges make electronic screwdrivers ideal for rapid assembly of parts with small fasteners, like electronics and other internal components.
PULSE WRENCH
High torque production and repair. High speed and able to deliver large amounts of torque make pulse tools ideal for big structural bolts like axle bolts, hub bolts, and transfer cases.
How Much Torque Do I Need for Electronics Assembly?
Electronics assembly requires a smaller range of torque values than automotive or aerospace applications. Typical electronics torque values run from inch-ounces to inch-pounds, rarely, if ever, reaching foot-pounds. While bolts and nuts are found, screws are more common.
However, the delicate nature of electronics assembly requires high levels of accuracy and precision. At the same time, the competitive nature of consumer and component electronics manufacturing necessitates high-speed assembly. In addition, electronics typically require protection from electrostatic discharge and occasionally must be manufactured in clean-room environments.
As such, electronics manufacturers often employ the following tools for their applications.
CAM-OVER SCREWDRIVER
Electronics Applications
Low cost and high precision make preset and adjustable cam-over screwdrivers ideal for low-volume electronics assembly. General repair and production. Wide torque range, from 18 lbf.in to 2,212 ft.lbs, renders click wrenches useful for nearly any service application, from spark plugs to camshaft sprockets. Lack of precision makes them less useful for critical parts, like gear assemblies.
BREAK-OVER WRENCH
Break-over wrenches have the precision needed for the occasional nuts and bolts in electronics assembly. Their interchangeable heads render them ideal for non-standard fastening needs. Precise repair and production. Smaller torque range, 25 ozf.in to 147 lb.ft, and ability to adapt to different fastening applications (since it is compatible with multiple head options) makes break-over wrenches good for use in tight access locations, such as automotive applications.
DC CONTROL ELECTRONIC SCREWDRIVER
Most electronics assembly will require the high speed and precision delivered by DC control electronic screwdrivers.
ESD-safe models are used to prevent lost product due to static discharge.
Some electronics must be assembled in clean rooms. Be sure the screwdrivers you use are rated for use for the clean room environment you work in.
How Much Torque Do I Need in Medical Device Manufacturing?
Depending on their classification in the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s product database, your medical devices may require extremely precise torque values. Internal medical devices, in particular, have stringent requirements for manufacturing specificity, due to their criticality.
While some medical devices, like large diagnostic machines, may require moderate sized fasteners, typically the amount of torque medical assembly requires is low, similar to that of electronics. In fact, since many medical devices rely on electronic components, there is much overlap between the fields. So, it’s no surprise that the tools which work best for electronics assembly are generally ideal for the medical field as well.
CAM-OVER SCREWDRIVER
Medical Applications
Low cost, high precision. Cam-over screwdrivers remain a sound choice for low-volume electronics assembly.
BREAK-OVER WRENCH
Break-over wrenches’ interchangeable heads are particularly ideal for non-standard fastening needs in medical devices.
DC CONTROL ELECTRONIC SCREWDRIVER
Most medical assemblies are well-suited by DC control electronic screwdrivers for speed and precision. ESD-safe models are still necessary for medical electronics.
ESD ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVER
ESD-safe models are needed for medical electronics.
CLEAN ROOM SCREWDRIVER
Many medical devices must be manufactured in clean rooms. Screwdrivers which do not contribute airborne particulate matter are essential in these environments.
All the fields listed above depend on quality torque tools to manufacture, assemble, and service their products. Knowing which tools are best for your specific application can make a big difference. At the very least, it will reduce your lost product rate by a few percentage points. At most, it will keep helicopters from falling on highways. If you’re not sure how much torque your fasteners require, consult an expert. After all, regardless of your industry, torque control matters.
Mountz Inc., has been in business for over half a century. In that time, we’ve worked with just about every industry that puts fasteners in their products. As such, we provide torque solutions that fit your unique needs. Contact us anytime to ask a question. To see the full range of our products, download our catalog. To inquire about price, request a quote. If you’d like to see our equipment in person, schedule an appointment.