How to Calibrate a Torque Wrench?

In assembly lines, torque wrenches enable fasteners (screws, nuts, and bolts) to be tightened to exactly the right torque specification, allowing the product (i.e. car) to function for several years without fastener damage or become hard to remove. In commercial applications such as appliance repair, it allows for technicians to fix them while avoiding over-torquing the fasteners and damaging threads.

However, torque is only useful for its accuracy. Normally after 5,000 cycles, it requires recalibration to ensure it is still reliable. Many people rely only on the original factory calibration and ignore the fact that torque wrenches require yearly calibration after wear and tear caused by regular usage over time.

Reaction Torque Sensors are frequently used as auditing and torque wrench calibration tools. This application is utilizing FUTEK’s TDF Torque Sensor to verify the precision of a torque wrench. FUTEK is equipped with A2LA accredited calibration lab to support critical applications related to torque wrench calibration tool.

Torque Wrench Calibration is an adjustment or set of corrections that are performed on a torque transducer to make sure that the sensor operates as accurately, or error-free, as possible.

How it Works

1. FUTEK’s TDF Series is an efficient torque wrench calibration tool to use when auditing torque wrenches.

2. In this application, the TDF Reaction Torque Sensor is fixed to a mounting plate and coupled to a torque wrench using a male/female adapter.

3. As the operator ratchets the torque wrench up and down, FUTEK’s TDF Sensor will measure the torque being applied.

4. These measurements are sent directly to a paired instrument. Depending on instrument selection, the operator can either view the data on a digital display or stream the data directly onto a PC.

5. If the data shows any anomalies, the torque wrench may be in need of a recalibration to meet its intended spec.

6. Every sensor is prone to measurement errors. These structural uncertainties are the simply algebraic difference between the value that is indicated by the sensor output versus the actual value of the measured variable, or known reference loads. Measurement errors can be caused by many factors:
1) Zero offset (or load cell zero balance)
2) Linearity (or non-linearity)
3) Hysteresis
4) Repeatability (or non-repeatability)
5) Temperature Shift Span and Zero